Down - Down IV (Part 2)

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It's finally time for 'Down IV' (Part 2)!!!

It's funny that when this current project from Down started they said they would put out an EP a year (even two year if I'm not mistaken) to make an album in four parts and we already have a two year gap between the first two parts!. Nevermind, Down have always been slow in releasing new material but the wait is always worthwhile. It's funny this release is labeled as an EP it consist's of six tracks and has a total running time of thirty seven minutes so it's the length of an average album anyway plus taking on board if you combine this and the last EP that combines of twelve tracks and a total of  an hour and ten minutes so we have more then an albums worth already!

Anyway pointless observations aside is this any good? Well of course it is Down don't release bad music! What is funny that must be pointed out is that this is the first release from Down to not feature Kirk Windstein and yet it's the most they have sounded like Crowbar for ages. Opening track 'Steeple' opens with huge doom ridden open chords with Phil Anselmo holding a low growl then switching to a high scream, the whole lasts the first minute before kicking into the song. It's the most furious Down have sounded in a long time. It's also the sludgy and dirty they have sound in a while aswell, the whole thing just has that muddy and spontaneous feeling.

It really feels like they played a rehearsal and just pressed record, 'We knew him Well' follows the slow, dirty route. The real treat here is the closing track 'Bacchanalia' which is up there with Down's best ever songs but as it ends it then goes into a lovely acoustic, mellow track which is just hypnotic. Whether this is a hint to next release being more acoustic based, which they have hinted at doing at some point more then once. I don't know but it would be a treat as Down write some great mellow music, just take 'Jail' for example. All in all Down are doing what they do best. Newcomers would be better starting with 'Nola', but if your already a fan there's no need to stop now this just adds to their brilliant repertoire.

Review by Joe Denby

Listen! to the Track 'We knew him Well' Below...