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".
Lifer
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Undone in unknown prison,
I'm holding on.
Peace and need?
A mouth to feed?
I'm standing way on
The other side.
Right back at myself,
And through it's frozen image,
I'm laughing right back
At my health lifelong
Arms in knots, never spot,
My blood is fading
On the world. Stealing keys?
Soul to me?
And to the brotherhood with what
Writes the pain.
I'm staring
Right back at myself,
And through it's frozen image,
I'm laughing right back
At my health lifelong
I'm a lifer.
I'm staring
Right back at myself,
And through it's frozen image,
I'm laughing right back
At my health
I'm a lifer.
The lyrics to "Lifer" by Down are introspective and contemplative. The first stanza touches on themes of imprisonment, both physical and mental. The singer is free from their past, but still feels trapped in some way, perhaps by their own thoughts or circumstances. They question whether they have found peace or just another struggle to survive. The line "I'm holding on" suggests that they may be barely clinging to hope amidst this uncertainty.
The second stanza delves deeper into the singer's struggles. Their body and mind may both be suffering ("arms in knots, never spot, my blood is fading"), but they resist succumbing to complete despair. The line "stealing keys?" could refer to the idea that someone or something is figuratively holding them captive and controlling their path. The singer questions whether their soul belongs to themselves or to some larger collective ("brotherhood") that is defined by pain and struggle.
The chorus repeats the main idea of the song: "I'm staring right back at myself, and through its frozen image, I'm laughing right back at my health lifelong. I'm a lifer." The use of "lifer" emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape their current state. The final repetition of "I'm a lifer" is almost a declaration of acceptance, suggesting that the singer may have resigned themselves to their fate, whatever it may be.
Overall, "Lifer" is a song about the struggle for autonomy and the battle to overcome personal and societal obstacles. The singer's journey is a reflection of the larger human experience, and the feelings of despair, hopelessness, and resilience that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Free at last, I'm the past,
I have overcome my past and am now free from it.
Undone in unknown prison,
I feel trapped and confined in a place that is unfamiliar and unknown.
I'm holding on.
I am persevering and trying to stay strong despite my circumstances.
Peace and need?
Is it possible to have both peace and a sense of need or desperation?
A mouth to feed?
Do I have dependents or responsibilities that I need to take care of?
I'm standing way on the other side.
I am separated or distant from something, perhaps physically or emotionally.
I'm staring right back at myself,
I am self-reflective and introspective.
And through it's frozen image,
Despite being still or stagnant, I am still analyzing myself and my situation.
I'm laughing right back at my health lifelong
I can find humor or irony in my own health or well-being over the course of my entire life.
Arms in knots, never spot,
My muscles are tense and sore, and I never have a chance to relax or unwind.
My blood is fading on the world.
I am losing my passion or energy due to the negativity or harshness of the world around me.
Stealing keys?
Am I trying to take control or power from others?
Soul to me?
Is there something of great value or importance that I feel is being taken from me?
And to the brotherhood with what writes the pain.
Perhaps there is a group or community that is causing me suffering or harm.
I'm a lifer.
I am in this situation for the long haul and cannot escape it easily.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PEPPER KEENAN, PHILIP ANSELMO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@randydrelyea194
Fuck. I've be alive for mother fuck'n 56 year's and heard a million guitar riffs in my life and that 30 sec. of pure mother fuck'n hard ass rhythm is one of the best on the planet. With out a doubt.
@jsbower31
+Randy Relyea corrosion of conformity always had good guitar riffs!
@joethebutcher2196
+Randy Relyea they have really original style, it's obviously influenced by Pantera riffs, but not really much. Their riffs sound fuckin' amazing, because they use many octaves, blues scales or play the same thing with two guitars and different sounds. They rule :D
@joethebutcher2196
+Lester Caswell do you know me well enough to judge?
@sargeantsaxophone9396
+Randy Relyea That's Dr. Pepper for you.
@Hitman1m1
+Randy Relyea Heavy Metal Hitman face book \m/
@pondscumbaits8834
Phil's vocals on this entire album are superb
@keithwiatrak4171
I discovered this song years after being a Pantera fan back in the 90s. Became one of my favorite metal songs of all time. I never get tired of it.
@JensenP12
This doesn't get old. Ever.
@masongraham1733
Fuck no it don't Krieger!