Lair of the Minotaur, Godslayer

It’s been a few years (three to be exact) since we last heard from the barbaric miscreants of the best named band in the West, Lair of the Minotaur. The band’s most recent full-length, Evil Power, saw the group take on a thrashier, less bludgeoning sound. I dug it, but some fans were disappointed. Well, have no fear fuckers. If the two tracks on the Godslayer are any indication, the boys are back with some seriously violent and aggressive death/doom/sludge material for you to sink your teeth into.

The EP’s title track kicks off this short release with a massive, sludgy riff full of groove and malevolence. It’s definitely a memorable start to the song as the guys settle into a churning wall of guitar and rumbling rhythm. “Godslayer” rolls along with little regard for those in its path and is a solid combination of the violence we loved on War Metal Battle Master and more recent material.

The second track, “The Black Heart of the Stygian Drakonas” is a more varied song in terms of it’s direction. While the title track was a focused, one-dimensional attack, this song encompasses a myriad of elements from sludgy doom to flirtations with hardcore — all the while maintaining a nasty groove. Both of these songs kick ass in their own right.

There’s not much more one can say about LOTM except to shout “duck motherfucker” as their brand of aggressive metal pile drives its way from your stereo. The two songs are a sure sign the band is ready to get violent again and pick up where they left off with War Metal Battle Master on their next full-length. You’ve been warned.