Apocalyptica and The HU Shake Reno's Grand Sierra Resort
The Grand Theatre at Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort was transformed into a global battleground of heavy music when Finland's cellometal masters Apocalyptica and Mongolian powerhouse The HU rolled through town. While the venue wasn't quite full to the rafters, what the crowd lacked in sheer numbers, they more than made up for in pure, unadulterated dedication. From the first bow strike to the final throat-singing roar, the atmosphere was intensely intimate yet fiercely energetic..
Before The HU took the stage, Apocalyptica delivered a phenomenal, high-octane opening set that set the room on fire. Walking out with their signature cellos, the Finnish titans leaned heavily into their roots, treating the Reno crowd to a thrilling barrage of old-school Metallica classics.
Far from a rigid classical recital, their performance was a stroke of pure rock-and-roll energy. The band thrashed across the stage, matching the intensity of any traditional metal outfit, while maintaining an incredible dialogue with the crowd between songs. Their charismatic stage presence and heavy, distorted strings had the entire room headbanging, perfectly priming the audience's adrenaline for the headliner.
With the energy in the room already at a fever pitch, The HU took the stage to unleash their signature brand of Hunnu Rock. The biggest buzz of the evening revolved around the band's highly anticipated third studio album, Hun, slated for release on July 24th. The HU didn't just tease a single track; they treated Reno to a massive, heavy-hitting sneak peek of their next creative chapter.
Here are a few standouts from The Hun, tracks that shook the floorboards:
"Lost Soul": The band's hypnotic new single immediately captivated the room. Even without the studio version's guest vocals from Jonny Hawkins, the live delivery showcased a brilliant balance of soaring melody and traditional chanting.
"Warrior Chant" & "The Men": These tracks proved that the upcoming album will double down on the driving, heavy-hitting groove that put the band on the global map.
"Grey Hun": A deeply atmospheric, mid-tempo piece that felt both ancient and modern, leaving the dedicated crowd completely entranced by the hypnotic power of throat singing.
"The HU doesn't just play a rock concert; they summon an ancient energy. Witnessing the new tracks from Hun live ahead of the July 24th release felt like being let in on heavy metal's greatest secret."
Of course, it wouldn't be a HU show without the foundational anthems. The energy inside the Grand Theatre spiked to dangerous levels during the back-to-back onslaught of "Black Thunder," "Yuve Yuve Yu," and the earth-shaking "Wolf Totem." Hearing the crowd roar along to the traditional Mongolian choruses was a chilling reminder of how music completely transcends language barriers.
To top off an already epic night, they brought down the house with "Trooper," their phenomenal, horse-head-fiddle-infused tribute to Iron Maiden. By the time the final notes rang out, the room felt like a sold-out stadium. Between Apocalyptica’s symphonic thrash and The HU’s tectonic groove, Reno witnessed an unforgettable night of international rock fury.
