Tengger Cavalry — the nomadic Mongolian folk metal band that began making waves in the United States on Christmas Eve 2015 when it performed at Carnegie Hall — is keeping its fans steadily supplied with music. After reissuing two revamped albums from its catalog in September 2016 (renamed Cavalry of Thousands and Hymn of the Earth), the quintet took a left-field turn by delivering covers of two Avril Lavigne songs in March: “My Happy Ending” and “Sk8er Boi.” Now, the act is preparing to drop its new album Die on My Ride, its debut release on M-Theory Audio, on June 2.
Multi-instrumentalist frontman Nature Ganganbaigal credits the relationship that Tengger Cavalry manager Dawn Robinson has with label founder Marco Barbieri — former president of Century Media Records and Nuclear Blast Media — with the band signing to the imprint. “We were looking for a label that had an interest in what we do and would support us,” he says. “It is a great honor to be signed to M-Theory Audio. We are excited to release this new record with our new label.” (Click here to order physical or digital copies.)
Billboard has the exclusive lyric video of “Ashley,” the second single from Die on My Ride. Ganganbaigal describes the love ballad as “a very personal song, just like the entire album.” He notes that while Tengger Cavalry’s previous releases “revolved around historical and traditional themes, this record talks more about an individual’s perspective about struggling, challenges and opportunities. The piano parts are a personal touch.”
Listen to “Ashley” below:
Ganganbaigal knows the lyrical content is a major shift from the group’s typical battle-influenced output. “I think it is kind of hilarious and interesting that a heavy metal band who always sings about galloping wild horses and bloody warriors would finally put out a love song in our own interpretation and musical arrangement,” he muses.
Tengger Cavalry’s Lavigne covers were done in the same vein. “A lot of pop songs are very catchy, well arranged and have great spirit lyrically, too,” he observes. “It is a good challenge for me as a producer and songwriter to take on Avril’s songwriting style into that of our own, which made it such an enjoyable songwriting experience. Just like Avril’s lyrics [in “What the Hell”], I was totally having fun and messing around.”
The band will launch a headlining North American tour on June 3 in support of Die on My Ride, supported by fusion guitarist Felix Martin and pagan metal act Helsott (the latter of which joins dates running from June 18-27).
June 3 — Montreal @ Bar Le Ritz
June 4 — Ottawa @ Mavericks
June 5 — Toronto @ Hard Luck
June 6 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Cattivo
June 8 — Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
June 9 — Indianapolis, IN @ Taps Live
June 10 — Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
June 11 — Fargo, ND @ Aquarium
June 13 — Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Windsor Hotel
June 14 — Saskatoon, Saskatchewan @ Amigos
June 15 — Edmonton, Alberta @ Brixx
June 16 — Calgary, Alberta @ Distortion
June 18 — Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater
June 19 — Seattle, WA @ Highline
June 21 — Portland, OR @ Dante’s
June 23 — San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
June 24 — San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
June 25 — Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
June 27 — Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
June 28 — Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
June 29 — St Louis, MO @ Fubar
June 30 — Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone
July 1 — Nashville, TN @ East Room
July 3 — Atlanta, GA @ 529
July 4 — Asheville, NC @ Mothlight
July 5: Richmond, Va. @ Strange Matter
July 6: Philadelphia @ Fire
July 7: Brooklyn @ Saint Vitus
July 8: Manchester, N.H. @ Jewel