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".
Underneath Everything
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Raise the monolith
Desensitize my spirit rise
Like days the world forgets, down the
Drain, laid to lame
A fool-ass hearty bliss
Borderline suicide,
Celebrate before my death
Your promised land divide,
That's why the world lies.
I give up.
That's enough. I give up.
I'm underneath my life.
Dog in heat, beware the street
Its there you'll meet your end
Poverty is not for me,
But I'll take her back again
To prove a point,
To laugh it off, to cross you off my path,
Grip the night, pull the cord,
A much inspired wrath.
Your promised land divide,
That's where the world lies.
I give up.
That's enough. I give up.
I'm underneath my life.
Carry me back from the war
And from the lord.
The lyrics of Down's song "Underneath Everything" are a poignant reflection on the struggles of life and the feeling of being overwhelmed by it all. The opening lines, "Woe to me, battered man, raise the monolith," suggest a sense of weariness and defeat. The suggestion to raise the monolith is a reference to a large stone structure used in ancient times to mark important places or events. The singer seems to be calling for something monumental to happen, but at the same time, feels powerless to make it happen.
The subsequent lines, "Desensitize my spirit rise, like days the world forgets, down the drain, laid to lame, a fool-ass hearty bliss, borderline suicide, celebrate before my death," paint a picture of a person who has become desensitized to the world and is resigned to living a life of mediocrity. They feel as though their life is going down the drain, and they're stuck in a state of foolish bliss. The mention of suicide is a reference to feeling trapped and unsure of how to move forward. Yet, despite this darkness, the singer feels the need to celebrate before their death, perhaps as a way of finding some small moments of joy in a life that feels overwhelming.
The rest of the lyrics continue in a similar vein, with the singer feeling trapped and unsure of how to move forward. They mention poverty, expressing a desire to leave it behind, but at the same time acknowledging that it has a way of dragging them back. The repetition of "I give up" and "That's enough" underscores the sense of resignation and defeat that permeates the song. The final lines, "Carry me back from the war and from the lord," suggest a desire for peace and healing, a wish to escape the struggles of life and find a sense of purpose and meaning.
Overall, the lyrics of "Underneath Everything" are a powerful statement on the struggles of living and the feeling of being overwhelmed by it all. The song provides a raw and honest glimpse into the emotions of someone who feels trapped and unsure of how to move forward. It is a reminder that we all face struggles in life, and that it is okay to feel overwhelmed and at a loss for what to do next.
Line by Line Meaning
Woe to me, battered man
I am in deep sorrow, feeling defeated and broken.
Raise the monolith
I need to find strength and power to overcome my struggles and challenges.
Desensitize my spirit rise
I need to numb my emotions and rise above them to survive.
Like days the world forgets, down the drain, laid to lame
My life feels meaningless and forgotten, going down the drain and becoming lame.
A fool-ass hearty bliss
I am chasing after a foolish and reckless happiness.
Borderline suicide
My actions and thoughts are close to suicidal, dangerous and self-destructive.
Celebrate before my death
I choose to celebrate and enjoy my life before my inevitable death.
Your promised land divide, that's why the world lies. I give up.
The division and inequality created by society lead to dishonesty, and I am giving up on trying to change it.
That's enough. I give up. I'm underneath my life.
I have reached my limit and I surrender to the weight of my life's struggles.
Dog in heat, beware the street, It's there you'll meet your end
If one is not careful in life, they could face dangerous consequences and meet their end.
Poverty is not for me, but I'll take her back again
I may not want to embrace poverty, but I am willing to return to it if it means something to me.
To prove a point, to laugh it off, to cross you off my path, Grip the night, pull the cord, A much inspired wrath.
I am determined to prove myself to others and cross them off my path with a fierce determination.
Carry me back from the war And from the lord.
I need to be saved from the war or conflict I am facing, and I need guidance and help from a higher power.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANSELMO, KEENAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind