Chicagoâs infamous extreme metal trio LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR has returned to its primary incarnation, and introduces a merciless new single, âSix Days In Hades.â
The original lineup of LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR unites Pelican drummer Larry Herweg and 7000 Dying Rats members, guitarist/vocalist Steven Rathbone and bassist DJ Barraca, the crew which stormed the globe in the early 2000s with their self-released eponymous demo which saw them then sign to Southern Lord who would release the Carnage LP, The Ultimate Destroyer LP, and the Cannibal Massacre EP. The bandâs two subsequent LPs and multiple EPs/singles would see several member shifts from this lineup, but in 2023 these three henchmen got back together.
With two new tracks written, LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR recorded two new songs in November 2023 with longtime producer Sanford Parker (Voivod, Eyehategod, Yob) at Jamdek Studios in Chicago. The tracks were mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room (Ministry, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Kanye West), and fitted with artwork by Unexpected Specter (Year Of The Cobra, Oak, Feral Light). The first single, âDark Sorcery Beyond,â was released in January, accompanied by a video directed by the infamous dark artist Lars Kristoffer Hormander.
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR now reveals the second new track, âSix Days In Hades,â a grating, gnarled rager which seethes with the aggression and grit synonymous with the bandâs sound.
Steven Rathbone states, âThe original lineup of LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR got back together over a year ago and started jamming the old material. Not long after, I wrote these two new songs and brought them to Larry and DJ. We are stoked to release the second track we recorded with Sanford Parker called, âSix Days In Hades.â It harkens back to the metal’s elder days, with a heavy dose of sleazy sludge. This one’s for the old-school headbangers!â
DJ Barraca reveals, âIt was a surreal experience to be in the studio with LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR again twenty years after we recorded our first demo together. âDark Sorcery Beyondâ and âSix Days In Hadesâ sound familiar and fresh at the same time. Sanford perfectly captured the energy and excitement of the three of us playing together again.â
Larry Herweg adds, âItâs been really fun reconnecting and jamming with DJ and Steve after a seventeen-year break. The original plan was to relearn Carnage for its 20th anniversary and play some reunion shows, until Steve sent us his ideas for âDark Sorcery Beyondâ and âSix Days In Hadesâ and it was a no-brainer to bang these out. Both tracks came together pretty effortlessly and were fun to track in the studio. Iâm looking forward to their live debut later this month.â
Blast LAIR OF THE MINOTAURâs âSix Days In Hadesâ at THIS LOCATION.
âSix Days In Hadesâ will be streaming everywhere this Friday, April 12th. Find links including the âDark Sorcery Beyondâ video and tons more HERE.
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR will unleash hell upon their hometown with their first live engagement with the original lineup since 2017 with a 20th anniversary show on April 20th with Black Cross Hotel, Eunuchs, and ILLS. Additional East and West Coast shows are being plotted for later this year while the band continues to forge new material. Stand by for updates to post over the months ahead.
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR Live:
4/20/2024 Livewire â Chicago, IL *20th Anniversary Show w/ Black Cross Hotel, Eunuchs, ILLS [tickets]
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR:
Steven Rathbone â guitar, vocals, synth
DJ Barraca â bass
Larry Herweg â drums
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The post LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR: Original Lineup Of Chicagoâs Merciless Metal Trio Reunites; âSix Days In Hadesâ Single Now Playing + 20th Anniversary Show Announced first appeared on Earsplit Compound.