DOWN – Over the Under

The release of a new DOWN album has always been regarded as more of an event in the world of metal, as opposed to just another new release, and the band’s latest, Over the Under, is no exception. Deep in the grief of five years of personal tragedy and frustration, the NOLA crew somehow managed to triumph over these obstacles, bringing forth the band’s most complete, mature offering to date. Although Over the Under isn’t as immediate as the band’s debut, the album packs plenty of punch with “Three Suns and One Star,” “Pillamyd,” and “N.O.D.” leading the charge, in the metal department. “Never Try,” “Beneath the Tides,” and “In the Thrall of it All” on the other hand counter with some of the band’s most bluesy material yet, with Phil Anselmo effectively delivering some of the most soulful singing of his career. The guitar tandem of Pepper Keenan and the criminally underrated Kirk Weinstein have come into their own, balancing Southern rock and blues with layers of thick Louisiana sludge with the second nature of veterans who have done it all. The rhythm section of Rex Brown and Jimmy Bower is another hidden weapon as the duo grooves like no tomorrow, anchoring the band under the surface with minimal flash but with ample feeling. It’s this collective chemistry that separates DOWN and Over the Under from the rest of the thrown together assembly-line, cookie-cutter drivel that labels and bands seem to content to disperse these days. Over the Under is a strong album from a reinvigorated band that flows powerfully from beginning to end, delivering this year’s most inspiring and deserving comeback. (Down Records/ILG/WMG)

18 Comments

  1. thena
    Posted October 31, 2007 at 11:23 pm | Permalink

    great album!!!

  2. Mike Vandervoort
    Posted November 1, 2007 at 10:34 pm | Permalink

    This album is monumental! There is hope alive for music yet! Hail the riff, for it is the true light and way of this world!

  3. Erin
    Posted November 1, 2007 at 10:35 pm | Permalink

    Wahoo! :D What the highly attractive man above me said! :D

  4. Deathmetal_Head
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 12:57 am | Permalink

    Down rule and this album proves it.

  5. johan
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 1:16 am | Permalink

    This album GROWS on you! It’s nice to finally here some real pure timeless music once again!

  6. Posted November 2, 2007 at 2:55 am | Permalink

    Great album, great band, great read! The power of the riff compels me!

  7. Pat
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 3:12 am | Permalink

    Best album 2007!

  8. Matthew
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 5:51 am | Permalink

    DOWN is back and better than ever!

  9. Matt
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 5:54 am | Permalink

    Over The Under rules!!! Can’t wait till the dvd is released! Nice review!

  10. jake Newkirk
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 8:28 am | Permalink

    I agree… Philip’s most soulful singing of his career! This is an album that everyone needs to hear, and a band that everyone needs to know about!

  11. T-Rex
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 12:44 pm | Permalink

    Album of the year hands down

  12. lynchmob
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 1:13 pm | Permalink

    WOW. Powerful and captivating from beginning to end. Best album I’ve come across since……. Down II !

  13. Lotem
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 1:32 pm | Permalink

    Fucking A!
    Its a beautiful album,
    the best I ever heard.

  14. The Man That Follows Hell
    Posted November 2, 2007 at 2:09 pm | Permalink

    Down has absolutely no competition right now.

    B.R.O.E.S.

  15. Zakk
    Posted November 3, 2007 at 1:45 am | Permalink

    hellyeah ,album of the year for me ….Hail the Leaf \m/

  16. Matt Harmon
    Posted November 3, 2007 at 8:17 am | Permalink

    down is still beating fuckin’ ass. Best band in metal.

  17. Fred Liberatori
    Posted November 5, 2007 at 4:49 pm | Permalink

    Down is taking over this world!

  18. Clint Beed
    Posted June 27, 2009 at 10:17 pm | Permalink

    Three Suns and One Star for the fucking win!!! Best down song in 15 years. Worth the entire album. 5 stars.

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