DOWN is wrapping up work on their first full album since 2007, set to release in 2026 through Nuclear Blast Records. Guitarist Kirk Windstein shared that they are well past the halfway point in recording. “The drums are all done. Pepper and I did the rhythm tracks. The bass is done,” he said.
Nuclear Blast Records signed the band in April and plans to release new versions of their older albums while they finish the new one. Phil Anselmo still needs to record his vocals, and the band aims to complete the guitar and bass work between early November and Thanksgiving. After that, they will move on to mixing the album.
Fans can expect a sound that stays true to DOWN’s roots. Windstein noted, “It sounds like old-school DOWN. The ‘NOLA’ record is so simple, and it just wrote itself. And that’s how this is coming about.”
Their last release was in 2014, an EP titled “Down IV — Part Two,” which sold 10,000 copies right away and reached number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart. Live shows have been rare lately. Pepper Keenan is currently touring with Judas Priest, while other members are busy with their own projects. This year, they played only a few shows in New Mexico and Louisiana. A concert originally scheduled for June was pushed to September due to wildfires near the venue.
Their last major tour was in spring 2022, which included stops in three states and three big shows in Europe. The team at Nuclear Blast is excited to work with DOWN, saying, “There are so many longtime DOWN fans at Nuclear Blast who are thrilled to be working with one of their all-time favorite bands.” Stay tuned for more updates!
