Lair of the Minotaur, an American sludge metal band from Chicago, Illinois, was formed in 2003 by singer/guitarist Steven Rathbone. The initial lineup included Donald James Barraca on bass and Larry Herweg on drums. Their self-produced EP in 2003 led to a signing with Southern Lord Records, resulting in the debut album Carnage in 2004. The band released several notable works, including the EP Cannibal Massacre (2005) and the full-length albums The Ultimate Destroyer (2006), War Metal Battle Master (2008). In October 2008 Barraca left the band and was replaced by Nate Olp. The group collaborated with Three Floyds Brewing to create Evil Power Imperial Pilsner, released in April 2011. After the Godslayer EP in 2013 and Dragon Eagle of Chaos in 2018, Lair of the Minotaur returned with “Dark Sorcery Beyond” and “Six Days in Hades” in 2024. Their fifth album, I HAIL I, was released on May 1, 2026, through The Grind-House Records, and was preceded by the singles “I HAIL I,” “Prowler Twin Sister” and a version of Ethel Cain’s “Family Tree.”
