Dixie gets heavy with this New Orleans Metal Supergroup

The Lowdown- Metal supergroup reunite to surpass debut and set standard!
If you could have been anywhere for 2 weeks in 2001..it would have been the fortnight that the five members of Down spent holed up in Philip Anselmo's barn in New Orleans to write and record the ludicrously good Down II album.
Down:- Philip Anselmo-Vocals Rex Brown-bass(replacing Todd Strange), both of Pantera.Pepper Keenan-Guitar, of C.O.C,Kirk Weinstein-Guitar, leader of Crowbar and Jimmy"Power"Bower, again of C.O.C.

The band originally appeared in 1995 when "Nola", their debut, was released, to genuine excitement on the part of those lucky enough to have heard about it, and complete disinterest on the part of the rest of the world.500, 000 copies were sold on the basis of word-of-mouth communication and underground trading, and in the pre-internet days, the band had got something going. They played 13 gigs and then………….nothing.

Nothing for 7 years in fact, due to the fact that all five had careers elsewhere, and schedules and plans clashed. Despite the fact that the desire was there, the next chapter was a long time coming……..but what a piece of work emerged. Put simply, Down II is THE rock release of 2002.Anyone who claims to enjoy, appreciate, or understand Heavy Rock/Metal/Whatever cannot fail to be astounded by the mastery on display here.

Philip Anselmo growls with intent. The lyrics revealing, personal and cathartic. Keenan's and Weinstein's riffs are bone-raw and exposed. The rhythms laid down by Brown and Bower are groove-laden and strong. All play with a passion that belies the theory that this is a side-project and of lesser importance than the "day jobs." This is quite obviously a pleasure and a statement of intent for all concerned.

All the right influences are there to be found,
Lysergic Funeral Procession, you got early Metallica..Man that follows Hell, that's your Sabbath. Stained Glass Cross, a B3 riff that Purple would have peeled off with joy in '72.

All the reference points are floating around. Floyd, Slayer, Skynyrd.
The sound is that much more rounded than their debut, which helps us to pick up on the intended vibe, of a smoke filled room and 5 stoners riffing like madmen.

The positive reaction to this superb album has obviously had an effect on the players involved, Pantera's future is limited at best, they don't communicate,C.O.C are silent and Crowbar are absent. Has this experience driven home the importance of Down's music to all concerned?
It surely has!

This is a towering record…everyone should have a copy.
Metallica are putting out a new record next month. I have yet to hear it. Do not buy it. Buy Down II, It is better. I guarantee it.
And by the way, Zeppelin should be proud of the tribute in the title!!!!!
Recommended Listening…..C.O.C - Deliverance…Pantera-The Great Southern Trendkill.

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