Down formed in 1991 with vocalist/songwriter Phil Anselmo of Pantera, guitarist Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity, second guitarist Kirk Windstein of Crowbar, bassist Todd Strange of Crowbar, and drummer Jimmy Bower of Eyehategod. All of the band members were long-time friends and were known from their respective bands, making them a supergroup. The band made a three track demo for underground trading. The band members would ask heavy metal fans if they have "heard of this band Down" and give them a copy of the tape without telling the person that they were in the band.Eventually, the tape was distributed throughout the United States and Down played a small concert in its hometown. A record executive from Elektra Records was attending the show to find out who the members of Down were. When he found out the members of the band, he signed Down to a recording contract.
Down released its debut album, NOLA, on September 19, 1995. Debuting at number 55 on the Billboard 200, the album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.Allmusic reviewer David Reamer gave the album a nearly perfect 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising the songs "Temptations Wings", "Stone the Crow", and "Bury Me in Smoke". Reamer stated "This is a landmark album that combines the talents of dedicated rock musicians, and should be included in any collection of heavy metal music."NOLA was supported by a 13 date tour, before the band entered a hiatus to return to their respective bands.
In 1999, while Down was on hiatus, Strange left the band and was replaced by Pantera bassist Rex Brown. In 2002, Down came back from hiatus to make another record. The band wrote and recorded Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow in 28 "drug and booze induced" days in a barn called "Nödferatu's lair".The album was released on March 26, 2002 and was not received with the positive reviews that appeared when NOLA was released. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Borivoj Krgin stated "Down II appears to have been thrown together more haphazardly, with much of the material falling short of the standard set by the Down's classic debut offering."Despite poor reviews, the album debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200.To support the album, Down toured on the second stage of Ozzfest in 2002.The band again entered an indefinite hiatus to focus on their respective bands.
Newly signed to Warner Bros. Records, Down once again reformed in 2006. The band wrote an album throughout the course of a year. Lyric topics on Down III: Over the Under were written about many subjects such as the breakup of Pantera, the murder of ex-Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, the band's anger at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and Anselmo's recovery from back surgery and drug addiction.Debuting at number 26 on the Billboard 200, the album was released on September 25, 2007 to generally positive reviews.Kirk Miller of Decibel Magazine stated "For almost an hour, it’s like the metal world was set right again."
Down preceded the album by touring with Heaven and Hell and Megadeth, and supported the album performing on a headlining tour starting at the end of September 2007.
On April 22, 2008 the BBC Radio1 Rockshow broadcasted a new session of Down recordings featuring alternate versions of NOD, Beneath the Tides, and Jail, along with a cover of Led Zeppelin's version of When The Levee Breaks.
In 2011 Bassist Rex Brown left Down to join newly formed band Kill Devil Hill. Pat Bruders of Crowbar is his replacement. Rex Brown stated that there were several reasons for his departure, mainly because of lack of passion for the project that were partially due to tensions between himself and Phil Anselmo.
The band has decided to forego writing for a full length album and instead is planning a series of four EP's. Phil Anselmo explained the decision to Metal Hammer magazine: "To me, an EP is less stress for us. We have an incredible relationship in DOWN, but when we're locked up for a month or two or three, pounding out 12 to 15 songs, it's very taxing. Very emotionally taxing. So one, it's easier on us, and two, it gives the music to the people quicker."
In November 2019, Down announced they would be reuniting for a series of shows in 2020. In anticipation of the 25th Anniversary of Down’s first album NOLA, founding member Kirk Windstein confirmed he was returning to the band. During an interview, Windstein said: "Anything Down does from here forward, whether it’s a full tour or one show, I’m 99.9% sure that I’m a part of it".
Bury Me in Smoke
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep me locked away
No chance was given
To find myself today
My time of aging
Wonder when I'll die
But when my time will come
I'll know the reason why
I have an escape
Alone it keeps me safe within my home
I have a reason
To keep me satisfied until I'm gone
Don't regret the rules I broke
When I die bury me in smoke
Under the world
I wait for my fate
My soul is resting
Beneath my blissful haze
My time of aging
Wonder when I'll die
But when my time will come
I'll know the reason why
I have an escape
Alone it keeps me safe within my home
I have a reason
To keep me satisfied until I'm gone
Don't regret the rules I broke
When I die bury me in smoke
Smoke, bury me in smoke, smoke
Smoke, smoke, smoke
The lyrics of Down's song "Bury Me in Smoke" are quite cryptic, and there are different ways of interpreting them. The song seems to be about coping with life's struggles, using some sort of "escape" to feel safe and satisfied before ultimately passing away. The lyrics suggest a sense of confinement, with the singer feeling "locked away" and waiting for their fate "under the world." However, they also find comfort in their chosen escape, which seems to be some sort of substance or activity that they feel they "have to use." This escape helps them cope with the difficulties of life and "keep[s] [them] satisfied until [they're] gone."
The refrain "When I die bury me in smoke" carries a dual meaning. On one hand, it could be a literal request to be cremated, with the smoke serving as a metaphorical representation of the singer's chosen escape. On the other hand, it could also be a more general statement about wanting to go out in a blaze of glory, surrounded by the things that satisfied them in life. Either way, the song seems to suggest that the singer has made peace with their mortality and has found a way to navigate life's challenges on their own terms.
Overall, "Bury Me in Smoke" is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the human struggle for meaning and fulfillment in the face of adversity. Its lyrics are open to interpretation, but one thing is clear: the song is a testament to the power of music to help us find comfort and solace in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
When does a holding keep me locked away
I feel trapped and confined in a situation beyond my control.
No chance was given to find myself today
I didn't have any opportunities to discover my true identity or purpose.
My time of aging wonder when I'll die
As I grow older, I often think about my mortality and how long I have left to live.
But when my time will come I know the reason why!
Although I don't know exactly when I will die, I believe that there is a predetermined reason for it.
I have an escape
I have something that allows me to mentally and emotionally escape from my current situation.
Alone it keeps me safe and in my home
This escape is a solitary activity that helps me feel safe and comfortable in my own space.
I have to use it
It's essential for my well-being that I utilize this escape method on a regular basis.
To keep me satisfied until I'm gone
This escape is a source of pleasure and contentment for me, and I will continue to rely on it until the end of my life.
Don't regret the rules I broke
I don't feel remorseful for breaking societal norms or expectations in order to live a fulfilling life.
When I die bury me in smoke!
When I pass away, I want to be remembered as someone who lived life on their own terms and didn't conform to others' expectations.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Pepper Keenan, Philip Anselmo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind