(Doom/Sludge) Lair Of The Minotaur - War Metal Battle Master - 2008, FLAC (image + .cue), lossless

"Giving Bolt Thrower a run for their money in the theme department, Chicago's finest are back with the cleverly titled War Metal Battle Master, a "concept album about solving conflicts with a big fucking axe." If that ain't Metal to the core, friends, well, what is? Lair of the Minotaur seem to have given the Greek mythology thing a bit of a break on this release, for the most part, but that doesn't mean the fury ain't present in spades. No, this power trio from Hell -- er, Hades -- continue to pummel, thrash, and pound with their patented brand of sonic sludge, this time out with a new drummer (Chris Wozniak) and maybe some cues from fellow Celtic Frost aficionados Goatwhore. Yes, the CF worship of founders Steven Rathbone (axe/vox) and D.J. Barraca (bass) still abounds, sometime transparently so, but that's not a detriment to the ears of this reviewer, no sirree.
A quick glance through the track names reveals song after song about, well, exactly what the album title might suggest overall. Many of these names would not seem out of place on a Skeletonwitch record, in fact, and perhaps a tour with said sickos would not be inappropriate. Recorded by Sanford Parker (Minsk, among others) and mastered by Pig Destroyer's Scott Hull, War Metal Battle Master oozes, pulses, and crawls like a living thing. Sure, a subterranean, slithering, slimy thing, but living regardless. The highlight of LOTM's latest long player is easily "Doomtrooper" and its ~10 minutes of punishing groove (with intro keys by Zombi's Steve Moore), while album closer "Hades Unleashed" and the titular track are also excellent. This stuff ain't for everyone, cupcake, but those in the know truly know. Rewarding in its abuse, Lair of the Minotaur's bastardized Thrash/Sludge simply rules. Praise the (Southern) Lord!"