New Orleans metal heavyweights DOWN will return with their long-awaited new studio album, Volume V, on November 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band has also unleashed the album’s first single, “Blood Oath,” along with an accompanying video.
For more than three decades, DOWN have carved out their own corner of heavy music, combining crushing riffs, Southern rock influence and the unmistakable character of New Orleans. The current lineup features Philip H. Anselmo, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein, Jimmy Bower and Pat Bruders.
Volume V marks another chapter for a band whose history stretches back to their early days playing together in New Orleans. The album was largely developed during writing sessions at Anselmo’s home studio, Nodferatu’s Lair, where the members worked together in the same room and allowed the songs to develop naturally.
“Blood Oath” serves as the first taste of the new record. Built around a heavy, memorable riff and a powerful chorus, the track also draws on DOWN’s deep connection to their New Orleans roots.
“You’ll know it’s DOWN right off the fucking bat,” says Keenan. “It’s heavy in its attack.”
The album opens with “The Myth” before moving through tracks including “Merciful Fate,” which features an appearance from King Diamond, “Turn Out The Light,” “The Message,” “Causeway Grief,” “They Walk The Night,” “They Came From Dust,” “Ozz” and closer “Twice-Told Tales.”
Anselmo describes the record as a journey that feels unmistakably like DOWN while still bringing something new to the band’s sound.
Volume V was produced by Eddie Mapp and DOWN, mixed by Dave Fortman and mastered by Maor Appelbaum.
DOWN are currently on their North American headlining Strap It Down tour with Helmet and Spirit In The Room. The tour includes a stop at HISTORY in Toronto on August 23, followed by a September 4 finale in Shakopee, Minnesota, where DOWN will perform alongside Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies and Hatebreed.
The band will also appear at Berzerkus Festival dates in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Wantagh, New York, before heading to Aftershock in October, Sick New World Texas and the Decibel Metal & Beer Fest in Denver in December.
DOWN — Remaining North American Tour Dates
August 19 – House Of Blues, Cleveland, OH
August 20 – Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA
August 22 – Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI
August 23 – HISTORY, Toronto, ON
August 25 – MTELUS, Montreal, QC
August 26 – The Palladium, Worcester, MA
August 28 – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain, Scranton, PA — Berzerkus Festival
August 29 – Northwell @ Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY — Berzerkus Festival
August 30 – The Fillmore Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD
September 1 – Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH
September 2 – Ramova Theatre, Chicago, IL
September 4 – Mystic Lake Amphitheater, Shakopee, MN — with Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies and Hatebreed
Festival Dates:
October 3 – Aftershock, Sacramento, CA
October 24 – Sick New World Texas, Fort Worth, TX
December 5 – Decibel Metal & Beer Fest, Denver, CO
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