DOWN “Volume V”

Nuclear Blast Records, November 20, 2026

Genre: Southern/Sludge Metal
Website: https://down-nola.com/
Duration: 56:30
Country: U.S.A.
Cool Songs: “Merciful Fate,” “Blood Oath,” “They Walk The Night, “Ozz”

To say DOWN is a supergroup is an understatement. Consisting of members from PANTERA, CROWBAR, EYEHATEGOD and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, the group contains the best metal offered in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is well known for producing Doom/Sludge metal with CROWBAR and EYEHATEGOD leading the way. With drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD), Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR) playing guitar and Pepper Keenan (CORROSION OF CONFORMITY) also on guitar DOWN’s sound has been rooted in Doom/Sludge since day one. The Southern States in America have a long tradition of Blues Rock, which DOWN expertly incorporates into their music. The Sludge slingers feature legendary PANTERA singer, Phil Anselmo, who’s name certainly helped make DOWN such a popular name in 90s Metal 30 years ago on their debut “NOLA.” Decades later, the group offer their newest opus “Volume V.”

DOWN has numbered each of their albums. “IV” was split up into two EPs, which I guess equals one full-length, so “Volume V” isn’t really a misnomer. Although Anselmo’s vocals are much deeper than their early days, “Volume V” shows consistency in the band’s sound. This is not to say Anselmo’s voice is bad, in some ways it produces a more aggressive sound, which fits in well with their chunky sound. Phil still harmonizes his voice, though, with melodies that are so often present throughout the album (listen to “Causeway Grief” for an example). Speaking of legendary vocalists, none other than KING DIAMOND appears on “Merciful Fate,” which has a title that naturally brings to mind the master of falsetto. King only sings one line but offers several hellish shrieks juxtaposed between Anselmo’s gruff vocal lines or combines his voice in a choral fashion. Also of note is Pat Bruders’s bass solo at the beginning of the song. It starts the song’s groovy riffs. Check out “They Walk The Night” for another fantastic bass solo.

Groove is a strong adjective to describe the music DOWN creates. Other groove riffs of note include the SABBATH-like riff on “The Message,” the chugging rhythm on “Blood Oath” and the seemingly N.W.O.B.H.-inspired riff on “The Myth.” The thing about this part of “The Myth” is the music that follows reminds me of CATHEDRAL (and “They Walk The Night), which is probably just due to DOWN being inspired by similar groups, namely BLACK SABBATH! This is just one example of an album full of instrumental hooks.  Speaking of BLACK SABBATH, the group pays homage to Ozzy Osbourne on “Ozz.”   For being a song about the passing of the Metal God, the music sounds hopeful and beautiful. The acoustically strummed beginning marks an aspect of rich melodies throughout the album. The album ends with more melody on “Twice-Told Tales” and the Southern swagger on the opening of “They Came From Dust.”

Bands with a long history such as DOWN often struggle in their later years. If they don’t create something different, all the albums after the first few seem to blend. On the other hand, fans tend to not like bands that change their sound. “Volume V” stands out in both aspects. With it only being their fifth full-length, it doesn’t bog down the listener with quantity. The band is free to explore similar ideas that mark their Hall of Fame career.  With plenty of riffs to headbang to and vocals to sing along with, “Volume V” is exactly what their fans have eagerly waited on for so long.

Line-up:

Philip H. Anselmo – vocals
Pepper Keenan – guitars
Jimmy Bower – drums
Kirk Windstein – guitars
Pat Bruders – bass

Tracklist:

1. The Myth
2. Merciful Fate
3. Turn Out The Light
4. The Message
5. Causeway Grief
6. Blood Oath
7. They Walk The Night
8. They Came From Dust
9. Ozz
10. Twice-Told Tales

Rank: 8/10