We had the absolute pleasure of chatting to the mastermind behind the Mongolian metal band, Otgonbaatar Damba, about the bands recently released debut album, and tour with the ever-amazing Nanowar of Steel. Check it out below!

How did you come up with your sound? It seems rather unique even with a few bands coming out with a vaguely similar style!

For us, the sound of UUHAI did not come from trying to invent something “unique.” It came naturally from who we are.

We grew up with traditional Mongolian music, throat singing, morin khuur, and the sounds of nature, and at the same time we discovered rock and metal and felt the power of heavy rhythm and distortion. When we started UUHAI, we simply brought these two worlds together. This is our natural musical language.

Our band leader and producer, Ombo, had been carrying this idea for many years before UUHAI was formed. He wanted to express Mongolian spirit through modern heavy music, not as a concept or experiment, but as something honest and alive. Once the full lineup came together, with traditional musicians and rock players in the same room, the sound began to shape itself.

Even if there are other bands exploring similar directions, every group carries its own history, energy, and emotions. UUHAI’s sound comes from our connection to the land, our respect for tradition, and our experience of the modern world. That combination is what makes it feel different.

How would you compare UUHAI to Hurd? Is it a different approach to writing between the bands? 

Yes, it is a very different approach. Hurd played a huge role in shaping Ombo, our producer and leader, as a musician. He joined Hurd as a drummer at a young age, and that experience helped him grow inside the music industry, understand songwriting, stage performance, and composition. Hurd was an important school for him, both musically and personally.

UUHAI comes from a different place. With Hurd, the focus was classic heavy metal songwriting and performance. With UUHAI, the starting point is cultural expression. The writing process begins with Mongolian spirit, traditional melodies, throat singing, and rhythm, and then the rock elements are built around that. It is less about following metal structures and more about telling stories through sound.

So while Hurd was essential for development and experience, UUHAI is about identity and purpose. It is not just another band project. It is a way to carry Mongolian culture onto the global stage through heavy music.

The album has been out a few days now, it seems to have gone down well! Is there a particular story through it? Or is each individual track its own tale and theme? 

Thank you, we are really grateful for the warm response so far.

Human Herds is designed as a complete journey rather than just a collection of separate songs. Each track has its own story and emotion, but together they form one larger narrative about humanity, nature, history, and responsibility.

Some songs draw directly from Mongolian tradition, rituals, and landscapes. Others reflect on modern life and the choices people make today. Tracks like “Uuhai” and “Secret History of the Mongols” connect us to our roots and ancestors, while songs like “Human Herds” and “Dracula” speak more about the present world and human behavior. So every song can stand on its own, but when you listen from start to finish, you hear a wider story about where we come from, where we are now, and where we might be going. That journey is the heart of the album.

Is there more writing going on already?

Yes, creativity does not stop just because an album is released!

We are already sharing ideas on the road, recording small melodies on our phones, and talking about new concepts between shows. Touring gives us fresh inspiration every day, through new places, new people, and new experiences.

There is no pressure or fixed direction yet. Right now, our main focus is bringing Human Herds to life on stage. But at the same time, new music is slowly beginning to take shape. We prefer to let it grow naturally and honestly, just like UUHAI did from the beginning.

You are currently out on tour to support the album, how’s it gone so far. You guys and Nanowar seem like a surprisingly good fit! 

So far, the tour has been an incredible experience for us.

Every night we meet new audiences, many of whom are hearing Mongolian throat singing and morin khuur for the first time, and the response has been very warm. Seeing people from different countries connect with our music, chant “Uuhai” with us, and share that energy makes every long travel day worth it.

Touring with Nanowar of Steel has been a great surprise in the best way. Even though their approach is more humorous and ours is more spiritual and cultural, the contrast actually works very well. Their fans are open minded, and our audiences enjoy their fun energy. Backstage, there is a lot of respect, laughter, and mutual support. It feels less like two separate bands and more like one traveling community.

Overall, the tour has confirmed something important for us: music really has no borders. Different styles, cultures, and personalities can come together on one stage, and that shared experience is powerful.

Do you have a busy year planned after the tour?

Yes, it is shaping up to be a very busy year.

After this tour, we will continue promoting Human Herds while preparing for more live shows and festivals. There are already discussions about additional touring in different regions, and we are very open to new opportunities worldwide. At the same time, we will begin slowly developing new music, taking inspiration from everything we experience on the road.

So it will be a balance between performing, traveling, creating, and staying connected to home. It is busy, but it is exactly the kind of life we dreamed of for UUHAI.

What’s the scene like back home compared to Europe?

The scene back home is much smaller and more intimate compared to Europe. In Mongolia, there are passionate fans and talented musicians, but fewer venues, fewer shows, and limited infrastructure for rock and metal. Concerts do not happen very often, and most bands work independently, driven mainly by love for music rather than industry support. When shows do happen, they feel very personal, because everyone knows each other.

In Europe, the difference is scale. There are many festivals, dedicated venues, and a long history of live music culture. Audiences are larger, touring is more organized, and there is a strong network supporting bands on the road.

Both have their own beauty. Mongolia gives us roots and authenticity. Europe gives us reach and opportunity. For UUHAI, bringing those two worlds together is part of the journey.

Do you have a dream tour lineup you’d want to be a part of? 

Of course, like any band, we dream big. For us, a dream tour lineup would bring together artists from different cultures and heavy music backgrounds, bands that carry strong identity and emotion in their sound. We would love to share stages with groups that respect tradition while pushing modern metal forward, whether they come from Europe, Asia, the Americas, or anywhere else.

More than specific names, our real dream is a tour where music becomes a cultural exchange. Different styles, different histories, one stage. If UUHAI can be part of something like that, where audiences discover new sounds and artists learn from each other, that would already be perfect for us.