ThrowBack Friday,12.01.2018.

Everyone in metal/ rock world today knows who is Phil Anselmo and Down.In this post i'll going all the way into beginning of the band,with main focus on their debut album Nola.

In 1991 Down is formed in New Orleans,Louisiana and first lineup was vocalist Phil Anselmo(Pantera),guitarist Pepper Keenan(Corrosion of Conformity),second guitarist Kirk Windstein(Crowbar),bassist Todd Strange(Crowbar) and drummer Jimmy Bower(Crowbar).You can say it was one of the first metal supergroup,band members was longtime friends and share love for Black Sabbath as one of the role models for Down.
Its no coincidence that band's sound is stoner rock/sludge metal.

Debut album Nola was released in 1995,receiving excellent reviews in metal world,and even then band have strong and wide fan base.Only one video was shoot,for song Stone The Crow.

Whole album is a collection of amazing songs,without weak link.Phil's voice is in perfect form,songwriting is on highest level.Its hard to pick best song,but two songs is consider to be a stoners anthems,Hail The Leaf and Bury Me In Smoke.

Bury Me In Smoke is song for closing Down concerts,in live version it always extend to 10 minutes or more.
Temptations Wings is album opener,followed by the Lifer.After Dimebags death Phil dedicates Lifer for him on every Down concert.

Just listen songs like Rehab,Underneath Everything,Eyes Of The South,its killer tracks.

Jail is only slow,ballad like song on album,which reminds on Black Sabbath's Planet Caravan.

After releasing Nola Down goes on 13 date tour,and at the end went on hiatus,due to obligations in main bands of members.
Band returns in 2001 to record new album,and one change is done in lineup.Bassist is now Rex Brown from Pantera.In 2002 Down releases Down II : A Bustle In Your Hedgerow,and again after tour goes on hiatus.

Second return was in 2006,when Down doing UK tour and after that goes in studio to record third album.
Finally it comes out in 2007 by the name Down III : Over The Under.
That was last hiatus,from now on band is here,playing shows and writing new material.

Live album,CD+DVD called Down : Diary Of A Mad Band Europe in the Year of VI was released in 2010.
In 2011 Rex Brown leaves band in order to get his life on right path,dealing with his demons and addictions.Pat Bruders from Crowbar took his place,and he is still in the band.

Due to state of music industry,down decides not to release any more full albums bur rather series of EP's.
First one,Down IV : Pt.1 - The Purple EP was released in 2012.I was lucky to see Down in tour next year in sold out show in Zagreb,man it was so fucking good that words can''t express.

In 2013 Kirk Windstein departure from group,to dedicate more to his band Crowbar,and his guitar tech Bobby Landgraf replace him.
Second EP coming in 2004,Down IV :Pt.2 and brings more of the Sabbath sound.

Right now there's not much news about band,Phil is busy with his solo project,Pepper is back in COC,so time will tell when we can get a new EP.
I'm a patient man,when it comes out i'll be first one in music shop to buy it and for certain go on Down concert again if chance shows up.
So check this amazing band if you haven't yet,smoke some joint and enjoy in their great music.
Cheers...