American heavy metal icons DOWN have released their new single and video, “The Myth,” ahead of the November 20 release of their long-awaited studio album, Volume V, through Nuclear Blast Records.
“The Myth” opens Volume V with a heavy dose of DOWN’s trademark sound, combining pounding rhythms, powerful vocals and deliberate, riff-driven guitar work. The video was directed by MetalDave Media.
“‘The Myth’ has some epic moments,” says vocalist Philip H. Anselmo. “It’s a jammer. It’s got a big nod to Trouble, but vocally I’m thinking of James Dewar, Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Glenn Hughes, and many of the other greats. The track and video are both straightforward and hammering.”
Guitarist Kirk Windstein calls the song “a perfect example of a classic DOWN collaboration,” adding, “Amazing vocals, great riffs, and it comes together in a great DOWN song!”
Pepper Keenan describes “The Myth” as “classic DOWN in all its hammer fisted glory,” saying the track eventually heads into a ’70s-inspired jam.
“This is one of those songs that almost wrote itself,” says bassist Pat Bruders. “Especially when we all got in the same room together to work it out. It stands alone like all the other songs on this album.”
Drummer Jimmy Bower adds, “It’s one of my favorite tracks off the new record. It’s heavy hitting and has all the right moves. It’s no Myth…. This song rules!”
Lyrically, “The Myth” takes a darker look at people living on the edges of life while carrying burdens of their own and still being called upon when others need them. References to Azrael, mortality, time and the “outliers of life” give the song a mythological quality, while its repeated refrain about being there when times are tough points to resilience, loyalty and the strength found in facing life’s struggles together. The song moves between “they” and “we,” turning that idea inward and making the burden something shared rather than carried alone.
“The Myth” follows the previously released “Blood Oath,” the first single from Volume V.
The new album finds the five members of DOWN continuing a musical partnership that stretches back decades. Philip H. Anselmo, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein, Jimmy Bower and Pat Bruders first crossed paths as teenagers in various New Orleans bands before establishing careers with groups including Pantera, Corrosion Of Conformity, Crowbar and Eyehategod.
For Volume V, the band returned to a familiar approach. Two writing sessions produced the bulk of the album, with the members gathering at Anselmo’s home studio and their longtime clubhouse, Nodferatu’s Lair, to work on the material together.
“These days, there’s no pressure,” Anselmo explains. “We each showed up with what we had, and everybody added their input. It was a true band effort.”
Volume V was produced by Eddie Mapp and DOWN, mixed by Dave Fortman and mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in California.
The album will be released digitally and on CD, along with a selection of 2xLP vinyl editions.
Volume V Track Listing
- The Myth
- Merciful Fate
- Turn Out The Light
- The Message
- Causeway Grief
- Blood Oath
- They Walk The Night
- They Came From Dust
- Ozz
- Twice-Told Tales
DOWN recently wrapped its Strap It Down North American headlining tour, which concluded with a special performance supporting Slayer in Shakopee, Minnesota. The band also played Aftershock and will next head to Fort Worth, Texas, for Sick New World.
The band’s official Volume V record release show will take place November 20 in New Orleans as part of The Great NOLA Trendkill. Presented by Housecore Horror, Housecore Records and Live Nation, the two-day event runs November 20 and 21 at Lakefront Arena.
The Great NOLA Trendkill will also feature Pantera, marking the band’s first New Orleans show in 30 years, along with Black Label Society, Corrosion Of Conformity, Power Trip, Crowbar, Eyehategod, Rāde, Herakleion and Pig Destroyer.
In December, DOWN will headline the second day of Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest Denver on December 5, marking the band’s first Denver appearance in more than 12 years.
DOWN US Festival Dates
October 24, 2026 – Sick New World Texas – Fort Worth, TX
November 20–21, 2026 – The Great NOLA Trendkill – New Orleans, LA
December 5, 2026 – Decibel Metal & Beer Fest – Denver, CO
DOWN’s story began with an impromptu jam session in 1991 that produced a demo which quickly circulated around the world. That recording laid the groundwork for 1995’s platinum-certified NOLA, establishing the foundation for a career that would include Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow, Down III: Over The Under, Down IV – Part One and Down IV – Part Two.
More than three decades later, DOWN continues to draw from the heavy music traditions of New Orleans while maintaining the chemistry that made the band’s earliest recordings so influential.
With Volume V arriving November 20, “The Myth” offers another look at what DOWN has in store.
DOWN:
Philip H. Anselmo – vocals
Pepper Keenan – guitars
Jimmy Bower – drums
Kirk Windstein – guitars
Pat Bruders – bass
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