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".
Lévitation
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uprising in shaman's translation
Archival souls
(Of)
Squandering
Transcending the threat
The tarots are burned
Don't stop there, levitation
This flesh claims dreams
Mars haunts the skies
Crimson and gleaming
Lay thee rebel arms free
Throttle their bones, wrangle its beasts
There'll come a time to brave the blind
(But)
Don't stop their levitation
Layman's translation morals be damned
Its ignorance paramount
(But)
Kiss sin's feet in worship
What we can't grovel in
Will master our fate
There'll come a time the cause will die
(But)
It won't stop there, levitation
Levitation will knock you down to size
The song Levitation by Down, can be interpreted as a call for transcendence and liberation from a world that constantly oppresses and discourages individuals from realizing their full potential. The lyrics make reference to the shamanic practice of levitation, which involves entering a state of altered consciousness to reach higher planes of existence. The lines "Dead sing through me," and "Archival souls/ (of) squandering," suggest a desire for a spiritual awakening or rebirth, where one can channel the wisdom and energy of generations past.
Furthermore, the lyrics encourage listeners to break free from societal expectations and restrictions, symbolized by the line "Throttle their bones, wrangle its beasts." The phrase "lay thee rebel arms free" can be seen as an appeal to embrace individualism and defiance. The line "Kiss sin's feet in worship" implies that sometimes to truly transcend one's limitations, one must confront and embrace their deepest, darkest desires.
The repetition of "don't stop there, levitation" emphasizes the need to keep pushing forward, even in the face of obstacles or setbacks. The final line, "Levitation will knock you down to size," subverts the common phrase "knock you down a peg," suggesting that levitation represents an ascension from limitations rather than a demotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Dead sing through me
I feel inspired by those who have come before me who are now gone, and their spirit lives within me.
Uprising in shaman's translation
The shaman's interpretation brings a powerful rise in morale and spiritual energy, leading to action.
Archival souls
The spirits of those who came before us can provide guidance and wisdom from beyond the grave.
(Of) Squandering
Despite the power we have, it can be wasted and overcome by negative influences or circumstances.
Transcending the threat
If we rise above what threatens us and take control, we can overcome our obstacles.
The tarots are burned
The tools we once relied on and trusted may be destroyed, forcing us to change and adapt to new circumstances.
There'll come a time to gloat in the light
After struggling through times of darkness, we can celebrate our victories and accomplishments when we finally reach a brighter place.
Don't stop there, levitation
Keep ascending and rising to greater heights, even after we have accomplished our initial goals.
This flesh claims dreams
Our human bodies and physical desires can get in the way of achieving what we truly desire and dream of.
Mars haunts the skies
The unknown and what lies beyond can be both captivating and terrifying at the same time.
Crimson and gleaming
It is possible for something to be both beautiful and dangerous simultaneously.
Lay thee rebel arms free
We must let go of rebellion and our personal struggles in order to be truly free.
Throttle their bones, wrangle its beasts
We can overcome obstacles by holding onto them tightly and controlling them, even if they seem like they are overpowering us.
There'll come a time to brave the blind
In tough situations, we have to move forward blindly and trust that our instincts will guide us in the right direction.
(But) Don't stop their levitation
Even when things seem difficult, keep rising and moving forward.
Layman's translation morals be damned
The simple, uneducated view of morality can be limiting and we should not be held back by these rigid ideas.
Its ignorance paramount
The ignorance of those who impose their morals can negatively impact those around them and hold them back.
(But) Kiss sin's feet in worship
Embrace the parts of ourselves that may be considered sinful and find beauty and value in them, even if others condemn us for it.
What we can't grovel in
We should not be ashamed of parts of ourselves that may be considered taboo or inappropriate by society's standards.
Will master our fate
If we are not accepting of all parts of ourselves, we may be powerless to control our own lives and destiny.
There'll come a time the cause will die
All causes and movements will eventually come to an end or evolve beyond what they once were.
(But) It won't stop there, levitation
Even after one cause ends, keep rising and striving for greater heights and accomplishments.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHIL BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind