New Orleans sludge metal supergroup Down, featuring Philip H. Anselmo (vocals), Pepper Keenan (guitar), Kirk Windstein (guitar), Jimmy Bower (drums), and Pat Bruders (bass)—has signed with Nuclear Blast Records, with a new album slated for 2026.
Known for their unique riffs and swampy blues, Down, with roots in Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar, and Eyehategod, first erupted with their 1995 platinum-selling debut NOLA. Followed by revered releases like Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow (2002) and Down IV – Part Two (2014), the band has built a legacy of raw, soul-shaking heavy music and iconic live shows alongside Metallica and at festivals like Ozzfest.
Nuclear Blast expressed excitement about the partnership, noting plans to reissue key catalog titles on vinyl. Anselmo called the signing a “good label home,” while Keenan and Bower praised Nuclear Blast’s passion and track record. The band is in the final stages of recording their first full-length in over a decade, with updates to follow.
Catch Down headlining night one of Milwaukee Metal Fest on May 16, 2025, at The Rave/Eagles Club, fresh off their recent tour with Danzig.