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".
Mourn
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't find a clue
Confusion broken hearted woe
Sheets and pillows soaked
My telephone seems broken
I'm calling crucified
Blacklisted no reply
Be my eyes
Be my eyes
Be my eyes
Stole my sight but not my heart
I miss my second home
Adopted son doth mourn
Adopted son doth mourn
Sermon served in praise
In a sacred empty space
Pit no ones sorrow against your own
Seven days in vain
The last three spent inflamed
I stand crucified
As they're stricken blind
Be my eyes
Be my eyes
Be my eyes
Stole my sight but not my heart
Missing the lone state home
My blood runs cold, I mourn
Stole my sight but not my heart
I miss my second home
Adopted son doth mourn
Mourn, yeah, yeah
Be my eyes
Be my eyes
Be my eyes
Stole my sight but not my heart
Missing the lone state home
My blood runs cold, I mourn
Stole my sight but not my heart
I miss my second home
Adopted son doth mourn
The song "Mourn" by Down portrays a sense of confusion, heartbreak, and loss, much in line with the traditional meaning of mourning. The song depicts the feelings of someone who is in a hotel room alone, contemplating their situation. The singer of the song is unable to find any clues that can help him understand what went wrong. His heart is broken, and he is left with a feeling of emptiness. The lyrics "Sheets and pillows soaked, my telephone seems broken" suggest that the singer is utterly lost and unable to find any solace. He reaches out for help, but there is none to be had. He feels crucified and blacklisted, with no reply to his calls for assistance.
The lyrics "Stole my sight but not my heart, missing the lone state home, adopted son doth mourn" suggest that the singer feels like he has lost a part of himself. He refers to his "second home," which might be a reference to his relationship or a sense of belonging he once had. The label "adopted son" could imply that the singer was in a vulnerable position or felt that he didn't belong. The chorus "Be my eyes" seems to suggest that the singer is seeking guidance from someone or something he trusts, and he is willing to be receptive to any response he receives, hoping that it would help him find his way back to a place of security and familiarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hotel room of doom
The singer is in a hotel room and feels like it's a place of negative energy and bad luck
I can't find a clue
The singer is feeling lost and doesn't know what to do or how to solve their problems
Confusion broken hearted woe
The singer is overwhelmed with emotions of confusion, heartbreak, and sadness
Sheets and pillows soaked
The artist has been crying uncontrollably and their bedding is wet with tears
My telephone seems broken
The artist feels like their phone isn't working and they can't communicate with anyone
I'm calling crucified
The singer is trying to reach out for help, but feels like they are being judged and punished for their problems
Blacklisted no reply
The singer's attempts to reach out for help are being ignored or rejected
Be my eyes
The artist is asking for someone to guide them and show them the way
Stole my sight but not my heart
The artist may have lost their physical ability to see, but they still have strong emotions and feelings
I miss my second home
The artist is feeling homesick and longing for a place where they feel safe and comfortable
Adopted son doth mourn
The singer feels like they have been let down or abandoned by someone they trusted and cared for
Sermon served in praise
The artist is receiving advice or words of wisdom, but it may not be helpful or relevant to their situation
In a sacred empty space
The singer is in a place that is supposed to be meaningful or important, but it feels hollow and meaningless
Pit no ones sorrow against your own
The singer is advising others not to compare their troubles or struggles to someone else's, as everyone's hardships are unique and personal
Seven days in vain
The singer feels like they have been struggling and working hard, but nothing has come from it
The last three spent inflamed
The artist may have been sick or injured for the past three days, which has added to their stress and troubles
I stand crucified
The artist feels like they are being punished or judged for their problems and mistakes
As they're stricken blind
The singer feels like the people around them are unable to see their perspective or understand their struggles
Missing the lone state home
The singer is feeling homesick and longing for a place where they feel safe and comfortable
My blood runs cold, I mourn
The artist is feeling extreme sadness and distress, which feels like it's affecting them physically
Mourn, yeah, yeah
The artist is repeating the word 'mourn' as a way of expressing their deep sadness and grief
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
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind