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".
Hail the Leaf
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because of that lone feeling,
That I might fail.
So fuck it.
I just smoke let me feel stoned
6th hour.
I still fail to rise,
Reality's eyes, so I
Just smoke
Let me feel stoned
Let that paranoia cut
My head off.
I'm low down
Crying shame today smoke stoned
I have fallen
Scattered the wave
Alone I'm crying
Broken shade
So I just smoke let me feel stoned
I can't feel you
You can't brave (the river?)
No more sadness no more pain
Not what feeds you but what raves
No more sadness no more
The lyrics to the song "Hail the Leaf" by Down describe the struggle of an individual who is faced with a daunting task that they feel unsure of their ability to complete. The opening line, "That brave river, I can't sail" illustrates the enormity of the challenge at hand. The individual is burdened by the feeling of potential failure, which has caused them to doubt their own capabilities. This overwhelming feeling of inadequacy has led to a sense of resignation towards the situation, as expressed by the lines "so f*** it. I just smoke let me feel stoned".
The lyrics also highlight the desire to escape reality and seek refuge in the comfort of smoking, as a means of coping with the stress of the situation. The lines "Let that paranoia cut my head off. I'm low down crying shame today smoke stoned," indicate that although the individual is aware of the negative effects of smoking, they feel it is the only way to manage their anxiety. The repeated refrain of "just smoke, let me feel stoned" solidifies this sense of escapism, suggesting that the individual is resigned to avoiding the issue rather than facing it head-on.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more abstract, touching on themes of isolation and despair. The lines "I have fallen, scattered the wave, alone I'm crying, broken shade" paint a picture of a person who feels defeated and alone. The closing lines "No more sadness, no more pain, not what feeds you but what raves, no more sadness, no more...." are a reflection of the individual's desperate desire to find some kind of solace or release from their situation.
Line by Line Meaning
That brave river, I can't sail.
I am faced with a great challenge that I cannot overcome, like trying to sail on a brave river.
Because of that lone feeling, That I might fail.
I am afraid of failing and that fear is causing me to feel lonely.
So fuck it.
I don't care anymore.
I just smoke let me feel stoned 6th hour.
I am using smoking as a coping mechanism, trying to escape reality and feel numb all day long.
I still fail to rise, And I cower in Reality's eyes, so I Just smoke Let me feel stoned
I am unable to face my problems and responsibilities and instead hide behind drugs to avoid reality.
Let that paranoia cut My head off.
I am aware that drug use can cause paranoia and anxiety, but I still use them anyway.
I'm low down Crying shame today smoke stoned
I am feeling sad and ashamed today, and again I am attempting to numb my emotions with drugs.
I have fallen Scattered the wave Alone I'm crying Broken shade So I just smoke let me feel stoned
I have failed and I am broken, alone and crying. To cope with this pain, I turn to drugs.
I can't feel you You can't brave (the river?)
I am so consumed with my own problems and addiction that I can't connect with others or overcome challenges.
No more sadness no more pain Not what feeds you but what raves No more sadness no more
I am searching for an escape from my pain and problems, but I am looking in the wrong places and only finding temporary relief in drugs.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHILIP ANSELMO, PHILIP HANSEN ANSELMO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dazed Viking
Dude Phil is seriously the best metal vocalist of all time, and I'm not kidding.
vapor dreams
Mike Patton is the best in my opinion, but Phil is a very close second.
Joseph Lalock
@vapor dreams i wouldnt consider faith no more or mr bungle metal. did he do some metal i'm not aware of?
Richard Lafond
@Joseph Lalock I mean they're all over the map. They definitely have some 'metal' songs. In fact, covering multiple metal sub genres over all their albums.
"Surprise you're dead" off of The Real Thing is 100% thrash metal and hilarious to boot... although seeing as this is off their debut and Patton was in his nasally phase. It would not have been out of place on a MrBungle album. There is some screaming and harsher vocals throughout the song mixed in with the nasally stuff. I love that album, it's super nostalgic for me, but Patton thankfully went in other directions vocally afterwards.
"The Real Thing" off of the same album is also definitely metal, in this case with more of a progressive touch. Nasally again.
Their sophomore album "Angel Dust" is basically the blueprint for most 90s Alt Metal, for better or for worse. Great album which influenced many mediocre ones.
Edited for typos
Stophackingmyaccount
@Joseph Lalock Dead Cross with Dave Lombardo from Slayer. First album is nuts. Not exactly what you’d expect of metal but great imo.
Stophackingmyaccount
@Joseph Lalock check out Grave Slave by Dead Cross or listen to first ep I think it’s 30 mins and change
Stoned Meadow Of Doom
One of the best songs on perhaps the finest Heavy Metal album of all time.
Austin Mota
Truck fighters are pretty bad ass
Hunter Burroughs
@Beh Urrutule IV Haha. This made me laugh. Good joke man!
Ed. Barker
Hilarious.( S.M.O.D's Comment).