Mighty New Orleans based sludgesters, DOWN will release their new EP ‘Down IV – Part Two’ on 12th May through Roadrunner Records. Tracked at the infamous Nodferatu’s Lair – iconic vocalist Philip H. Anselmo’s home studio – and produced by Michael Thompson, Anselmo and DOWN, the new EP is the eagerly awaited sequel to ‘Down IV – Part 1: The Purple EP’.

To support the upcoming release, DOWN hit the US tarmac with Black Label Society this Spring and will grace UK shores exclusively this summer as Friday night headliners for the rapidly-growing metal festival BLOODSTOCK on 8th August. Tickets are available from Bloodstock.

On the new EP, the boys once again deliver passionate and powerful heavy music, laced with their signature gargantuan riffs and swamp blues leads. When the band retreated to ‘Nodferatu’s Lair’ at Anselmo’s Lousiana home in the fall of 2013, things had changed somewhat. For the first time in the band’s storied career, Kirk Windstein wouldn’t be handling guitar duties alongside fellow axeman, Pepper Keenan. Instead, longtime ‘family’ member, stage manager, and Honky guitarist Bobby Landgraf joined the ranks, alongside Keenan, Anselmo, drummer Jimmy Bower and bassist Pat Bruders.

“He was immediately at home,” affirms Anselmo. “Bobby had always been that guy in case of anything. Knowing his personality, he really locked in with what we do and took it to heart. He made himself belong. Honestly, the first day he came down he contributed a very strong riff to a key song. There’s that Southern element, which is imperative. I also catch a real old heavy metal vibe from this record. I can’t stress this enough. He took it all on, and he did a fucking awesome job.”

“It was a big deal for me,” beams Landgraf. “I drove ten hours up from Texas that first day, cracked a beer, and plugged in. We jumped right into the room, and I played this part. They all smiled. That was the moment for me. I’m a longtime fan, and I knew we were friends, but being a part of the writing and working towards something together was just incredible. As a guitar player, one of my goals was to be in a group like this. I want to make everyone proud.”

Making good on Down’s promise of a series of EPs, the second installment sees a pronounced progression among the individuals themselves as well.

For the future, Down’s sights are set on endless touring. Landgraf made his formal stage debut when the band headlined Anselmo’s first annual ‘Housecore Horror Film Festival’ in front of a packed crowd of the faithful in October 2013. Now, it’s just about bringing that inimitable sound everywhere possible.

Come see for yourself at Bloodstock Festival in August….

‘Down IV – Part Two’ tracklisting:

1. Steeple
2. We Knew Him Well
3. Hogshead/Dogshead
4. Conjure
5. Sufferer’s Years
6. Bacchanalia