DOWN appears on the latest cover of Decibel Magazine (December 2026). The feature celebrates the band’s long-awaited new studio album, Volume V, set for release on November 20th via Nuclear Blast Records.
DOWN’s bond runs deep. For over three decades, the quintet – Philip H. Anselmo, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein, Jimmy Bower, and Pat Bruders – has quietly built a legacy like no other.
The guys initially crossed paths as teens in various local bands throughout New Orleans. Over the years, each musician went off and made a name for himself with Anselmo notably fronting Pantera, Keenan holding down guitar and vocals for Corrosion Of Conformity, Windstein leading Crowbar, and Bower slinging guitar in Eyehategod.
Two writing sessions yielded the bulk of material on Volume V. Upholding a tradition dating back to Down II, the members retreated to Anselmo’s home studio and their de facto clubhouse, Nodferatu’s Lair. Songs originated on the spot as they jammed face-to-face. Throughout 2025, the music naturally took shape. Keenan and Windstein chose to simultaneously record guitar together, giving the album a timeless punch.
Of the band’s lead single, “Blood Oath,” Consequence championed, “…a nasty doom grinder,” adding, “Philip Anselmo’s vocals evoke Matt Pike of High On Fire with the heft of the partial growl set against a riff that is pure New Orleans sludge metal. The influence of classic doom from Trouble and St. Vitus is worn plain as day by the riffs that make up ‘Blood Oath,’ underscoring why DOWN has been able to sustain such profound critical and commercial interest despite having released just three LPs and two EPs over their 35-year history.” Revolver concurred, “‘Blood Oath’ is thick. The song begins with open-aired, waggle-heavy, melancholy guitar harmonizing from Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein. And it only gets heavier, the band soon lunging into a death-marching groove full of graveyard guitar hooks and midnight creepin’ lyrics… Philip Anselmo also injects a handful of references to their beloved NOLA.” Of the band’s second single, “The Myth,” Metal Injection lauded, “a croaky romp of a ditty…It’s the album’s opener, ushering in the unignorable chuggers and Anselmo’s unmissable voice that are sure to carry throughout the rest of the record. It’s also somewhat of a tribute of sorts, to quite the list of metal greats.”
Watch DOWN’s previously released video for “Blood Oath” HERE and “The Myth” HERE.
The record will be released on CD and digital formats as well as 2xLP in the following color variants:
Orange (World)
Yellow + Red Galaxy (Nuclear Blast US Exclusive)
Orange + Red Galaxy (Nuclear Blast EU Exclusive) * Sold Out *
Black (Band Exclusive #1) * Sold Out *
Clear, Black + Red Smoke (Band Exclusive #2) * Sold Out *
Orange + Black Galaxy (Decibel Exclusive) * Sold Out *
Smoke (Revolver Exclusive) * Sold Out *
Transparent Neon Orange + Black Marble (Nuclear Blast Exclusive)
Find preorders at down.bfan.link/volume-v.
And grab your copy of the December 2026 issue of Decibel HERE before they’re gone!
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, who recently wrapped up The Strap It Down North American headlining tour which concluded with a special performance as direct support to Slayer in Shakopee, Minnesota, will head to Fort Worth, Texas this weekend to play Sick New World Fest.
In November, the band’s official record release show will take place at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana as part of The Great NOLA Trendkill! Presented by Housecore Horror, Housecore Records, and Live Nation, the special two-day festival will take over the Crescent City on November 20th and 21st and feature a landmark performance by Pantera, marking their first show in New Orleans in 30 years, as well as performances by Black Label Society, Corrosion Of Conformity, Power Trip, Crowbar, Eyehategod, Rāde, Herakleion, and Pig Destroyer!
As a special bonus, Tipitinas in New Orleans will host a special DOWN – Volume V listening party on Thursday, November 19th as part of The Great NOLA Trendkill kick-off party, featuring Suplecs, Spirit In The Room, and Nest. Find more info HERE.
In December, DOWN will headline day two (December 5th) of this year’s edition of the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest Denver. The appearance marks the band’s first Denver appearance in over twelve years!
Tickets for all shows are on sale now. See confirmed dates below.
DOWN Listening Party:
11/19/2026 Tipitinas – New Orleans, LA
DOWN Live – US Festival Dates:
10/24/2026 Sick New World Texas – Fort Worth, TX
11/20-21/2026 The Great NOLA Trendkill – New Orleans, LA
12/05/2026 Decibel Metal And Beer Fest – Denver, CO
In 1991, DOWN’s first impromptu jam session yielded a now-legendary demo that made its way around the world. From there, the three-song tape effectively laid the foundation for 1995’s Platinum-certified NOLA. Metal Hammer cited the latter as, “a rock classic, period,” and Stereogum professed, “Our modern understanding of what metal in the Deep South sounds like and means starts with NOLA, and we should pay our respects.” The band delivered fan favorites such as Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow (2002), Down III: Over The Under (2007), Down IV – Part One (2012), and Down IV – Part Two (2014). Each tour proved to be special in its own right. Beyond packing houses on global headline jaunts, the group shared the stage with the likes of Metallica, Heaven & Hell, Danzig, and Melvins in addition to igniting festivals such as Aftershock, Louder Than Life, Hellfest, and Sick New World. It’s no wonder Revolver christened the collective one of the “12 Greatest Supergroups in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal History.”
DOWN:
Philip H. Anselmo – vocals
Pepper Keenan – guitars
Jimmy Bower – drums
Kirk Windstein – guitars
Pat Bruders – bass
http://www.down-nola.com
http://www.facebook.com/down
http://www.instagram.com/down_nola
http://www.nuclearblast.com
http://www.instagram.com/nuclearblastrecords
http://www.facebook.com/nuclearblastrecords
The post DOWN Featured On December 2026 Cover Of Decibel Magazine first appeared on Earsplit Compound.