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".
Witchtripper
Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black mass Latin fire
Smokescreen
Cast runes terrorize
Stones thrown rooftop high
Blaspheme
Witchtripper
Witchtripper all right
Witchtripper
Witchtripper all right
Satan!
Worm-carved rites...
Horrifies their spies
Smokescreen
Defend night-flight sites
Trap clamped, snared for pyres
Blaspheme
Witch tripper
Witch tripper
Witch tripper all right
Witch tripper
Witch tripper all right
Cross-gripped tight, hands tight
Smoke screen
It's what you believe in
Useless woolen lies
Blaspheme
Witch tripper
Witch tripper
Witch tripper all right
Witch tripper
Witch tripper all right
The opening lines "Lightning struck down twice, Black mass Latin fire" conjure an image of a dark, stormy night where something sinister, perhaps even supernatural, is about to take place. As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the themes are related to witchcraft and the occult. The mention of "cast runes terrorize" suggests that the singer is using ancient symbols and practices to gain power or influence. It's possible that the "witchtripper" mentioned in the chorus is a derogatory term for someone who actively seeks out witches or practitioners of the occult in order to do them harm. The repeated use of the word "blaspheme" suggests that these actions are considered sacrilegious or against accepted religious norms.
The second verse continues the theme of persecution, painting a picture of spies stalking the singer and their followers as they practice their craft. The line "Worm-carved rites" brings to mind the image of worm-eaten parchment or the carving of symbols into flesh, further emphasizing the dark and gruesome nature of the subject matter. The repeated refrain of "witch tripper" feels almost celebratory, suggesting that the singer is unafraid of their accusers and will continue to practice witchcraft in spite of their efforts to stamp it out.
Overall, "Witchtripper" displays a fascination with the darker side of human nature and the occult. The lyrics evoke a sense of danger and a willingness to explore forbidden knowledge, possibly as a reaction against the strictures of societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Lightning struck down twice
A supernatural event occurred twice
Black mass Latin fire
A ritual involving fire and Latin was performed
Smokescreen
Hiding the true intentions and actions
Cast runes terrorize
Using ancient symbols to create fear and panic
Stones thrown rooftop high
Projecting physical objects with force from high ground
Blaspheme
Showing disrespect and contempt towards religion
Witchtripper
One who hunts down and harms witches
Witchtripper all right
Agreement or satisfaction with being a witchtripper
Satan!
An invocation or call to the devil
Worm-carved rites...
Ceremonies involving worms or other decay-inducing creatures
Horrifies their spies
Causing fear and alarm to those who are watching
Defend night-flight sites
Protecting areas where witches may gather or fly at night
Trap clamped, snared for pyres
Capturing and preparing witches for burning
Cross-gripped tight, hands tight
Holding onto a religious object or symbol with great force
It's what you believe in
The actions are based on personal beliefs
Useless woolen lies
Religious teachings that are deemed ineffective
Contributed by Camden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lorenzo Krug
Lightning struck down twice
Black mass Latin fire
Smokescreen
Cast runes terrorize
Stones thrown rooftop high
Blaspheme
Witchtripper (x4)
Satan
Worm-carved rites
Horrifies their spies
Smokescreen
Defend night-flight sites
Trap clamped, snared for pyres
Blaspheme
Witchtripper (x4)
Cross-gripped tight, hands tied
Smokescreen
Useless wooden lies
Blaspheme
Witchtripper (x4)
J.CNNR78
@Mike Vander
"On the new song "Witchtripper":
Pepper Keenan:
"We were down in Spain, in this little village, and I noticed that every house had these stones on the corner of the roof. And everywhere I looked, there were images of witches in people's windows.
Of course, Phil and I being like we are, we started envisioning what these stones were. We figured they were probably witchtrippers — you got witches on the roof, and they trip her up when she's coming down. We had to have the correct song to match the coolness of the word. When I had the riff, I knew it was one that would be 'Witchtripper'."
This little village is Viveiro in Galicia-Spain, (Galicia Land of Witches) where the Resurrection Fest takes place, and where Dawn stayed for two weeks getting inspired.
JIMMY
I love this song I don't understand why more people didn't like it.
Robert Henry M.
It’s totally badass!
Michael Carnevale
Yes. Me
Michael Carnevale
Keep coming. Getting clean is hard. I love this band I will never forget Pantera show how long these people work hard as ever. Great blues 💓💓💓💓 huge wasteland of teenage angry feeling still no Phil for ever written me some else to think of times
Michael Delguidice
Phil really still has an awsome metal vocal range. He doesn't get enough credit for superjoint and down
C.J. Maker
All the dark elements that Down combined into a recipe and then they served to us nothing short of a masterpiece!
JMusserification
First off, who are the 13 people who don't like this? Saw these guys last nigth and it was one of the best shows I've ever been too! They destroyed the stage, and the energy of the whole venue was amazing. You could tell they were really enjoying themselves, that they were really feeding off the energy from the crowd. They closed with bury me in smoke and I got bruised as fuck in the pit but it was worth it!
Patrick
Great song and I love the classic horror video. Excellent
Pat Jordan
The world needs a new down album
shagdog 666
Where still waiting. 😩