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".
In the Thrall of It All
Down Lyrics
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Cruel to himself and generous about it
Cruel to the world, not hard to spot it
Can't give up, shut up on a tirade
Off the top of his head, so ripe becoming rotten
He's hit the wailing wall
He's kissed the wailing wall
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
Failed his name, no care to hide it
Failed escape that's documented
Instilled or distilled, the spike or the chill
It's immolation, the **** of nonexistence
He's hit the wailing wall
To pass out hard upon
He's kissed the wailing wall
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
Headstone tells nothing about him
Headstone reads two decades wasted
A funeral pyre, no one to burn it
Because self-destruction brings misfortune
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
No lower heaven for his bones
Nor handing life back what it's owed
Caretaker careless, what he's sown
Porously reaching his lowest low
The negative has just begun
Joining the war, impossible
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
In the thrall of it all
The song "In the Thrall of It All" by Down tells the story of someone who is self-destructive and cruel to themselves, as well as the world around them. They are unable to give up their tirades and are in a downward spiral towards nonexistence. The lyrics describe hitting the "wailing wall" and passing out as well as kissing it, which could symbolize being consumed by their destructive behavior. The headstone at their funeral only reads "two decades wasted", implying that their life was consumed by their self-destructive behavior. The song ends with the suggestion that the negative has just begun and that this person is beyond saving, as they are in the thrall of their self-destructive tendencies.
The lyrics suggest that the person's self-destructive behavior is a result of failed attempts to escape their problems. They have become consumed by the addiction that they are using to drown out their pain, causing them to hit rock bottom. The imagery of the headstone and funeral pyre highlight the finality of their self-destruction and suggest that there is no hope for redemption at this point. The repetition of the phrase "in the thrall of it all" emphasizes the idea that this person is controlled by their addiction and that they are unable to break free from its grasp.
Line by Line Meaning
Go slow
Take your time and be cautious
Cruel to himself and generous about it
He is harsh and unforgiving to himself, but shows lenience to others
Cruel to the world, not hard to spot it
He is hostile to the world and his hostility is clear
Can't give up, shut up on a tirade
He is unable to give up, even when he should and is continually ranting
Off the top of his head, so ripe becoming rotten
His thoughts and ideas are quickly communicated, but are often flawed and become worse over time
He's hit the wailing wall
He has encountered a difficult and despairing situation
To pass out hard upon
The difficulty is so overwhelming that it causes him to collapse
He's kissed the wailing wall
He has embraced his despairing situation
In the thrall of it all
He is completely consumed and controlled by his despair
Failed his name, no care to hide it
He has not lived up to his reputation and does not attempt to conceal his failings
Failed escape that's documented
His attempts to escape his situation have been proven unsuccessful
Instilled or distilled, the spike or the chill
Whether his situation is a result of influence or his own actions, it has caused pain and discomfort
It's immolation, the **** of nonexistence
His desperation is leading him to self-destruction and a meaningless existence
Headstone tells nothing about him
His legacy is non-existent or unremarkable
Headstone reads two decades wasted
His life has been unproductive
A funeral pyre, no one to burn it
His death would go unnoticed or unacknowledged
Because self-destruction brings misfortune
His recklessness is bringing misfortune upon himself and possibly others
No lower heaven for his bones
His remains will not receive proper burial or respect
Nor handing life back what it's owed
He is not fulfilling his responsibilities in life
Caretaker careless, what he's sown
He has neglected his duty to care for himself and his actions are now causing harm
Porously reaching his lowest low
He is sinking deeper into his depression and despair
The negative has just begun
His situation is getting worse
Joining the war, impossible
It is not possible for him to overcome his inner turmoil
In the thrall of it all
He is completely consumed and controlled by his despair
In the thrall of it all
He is completely consumed and controlled by his despair
In the thrall of it all
He is completely consumed and controlled by his despair
In the thrall of it all
He is completely consumed and controlled by his despair
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY BOWER, KIRK WINDSTEIN, KIRK MICHAEL WINDSTEIN, PEPPER KEENAN, PEPPER JAY KEENAN, PHILIP ANSELMO, PHILIP HANSEN ANSELMO, REX BROWN, REX ROBERT BROWN
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