LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR „“War Metal Battle Master” DVD”

Music: Black Metal/Sludge/Thrash
Country: USA
Web site: www.lairoftheminotaur.com


Cool Songs: Horde of Undead Vengeance, Behead the Gorgon, War Metal Battle Master (Uncensored Cut)

Chicago’s sludge slinging, CELTIC FROST worshipping, mythology-spinning heathens LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR have released their very first DVD “War Metal Battle Master.” Sharing the title of their last album, this DVD contains one of the most gruesome music videos to ever flash out of the idiot tube! According to the package cover, the video for “War Metal Battle Master” was of such staunch nudity and violence thirty-one countries banned it, resulting in the group created a PG-13 version. Both these videos appear on the DVD. LOTM also visually assails the eyes and ears of its depraved watchers with a behind the scenes look at the filming of the video, as well as over forty-five minutes of live footage.

LOTM has released both versions of the “War Metal Battle Master” online, so many of our readers may have already seen this video. For those who have not, it can be summed up as part Italian horror film, part barbarian flick, part heavy metal performance video. The video tells the story of a battle the Greek god Ares had in his younger years. When men fell on the battlefield, demons would devour their flesh and drag them down to Hades. These demons were played by beautiful, young women with large breasts. Often the video shows these women cannibalizing the battle-torn carcasses of the barbarians. What more could a metal head ask for: gratuitous violence mixed with nudity and kick ass metal!

The TV Edit version contains no boobs, move on!

After both versions play, LOTM give their viewers a behind the scenes look at making the video. Some of the footage deals with practicing sword play, but it mostly reveals the special effects and make up tricks involving the demons. One of the demons possessed HUGE jugs, at least a DD. The filmmakers zoomed in to get a better look at her rubbing carnage all over her tits. I didn’t know whether to vomit or jerk off!

The live portion of the DVD features a wide selection of material from the Southern Lord years—2004-2008. Each video came from a different location throughout Europe and the United States. The sound ranges from descent to poor, and the further the group goes back in time, the footages become more bootleg like. Even on the poorer quality segments, the quality is still much better than many bootlegs. “Behead the Gorgon” is one of the better sounding songs. The sludgy guitar tones on this track sound like bubbling lava.

Even though the “War Metal Battle Master” video is fantastic, by itself it is not enough to warrant a purchase. Both versions are available online, and the censored version found much play on The Headbangers Ball, so many have already seen it. However, the live set and making of the video are quite entertaining; especially considering this is LOTM’s first home video.

note: 8/10

Tracklist

VIDEOS

* War Metal Battle Master (Uncensored Cut & TV Edit)

LIVE

* Horde of Undead Vengeance / Los Angeles, CA / Nov 2007
* Ultimate Destroyer / Nantes, France / Jun 2007
* Black Viper Barbarian Clan / Chicago, IL / Apr 2008
* Carnage Fucking Carnage / New York, Boston, Baltimore, Providence, Richmond, Buffalo,
Cleveland / Apr 2006
* Juggernaut of Metal / Indianapolis, IN / Dec 2005
* Hades Unleashed / Vienna, Austria / Jul 2007
* Behead the Gorgon / Nantes, France / Jun 2007
* Caravan of Blood Soaked Kentauroi / Youngstown, OH / May 2005
* Burning Temple / Chicago, IL / Oct 2004
* The Wolf / Indianapolis, IN / Mar 2008

SPECIAL FEATURES

* Director’s Behind the Scenes & Interviews
* Barbarian’s Making of the Video Featurette

Running Time: 69 minutes

Line-up

Steven Rathbone – Guitar / Vocals / Synth
Nate Olp – Bass
Chris Wozniak – Drums