I gotta admit, I am pretty surprised I am writing about this album. With the previous two albums, it was the kind of music I love to see live but couldn’t really take on cd. So, when Over the Under came out I was more inclined to borrow my workmate’s copy for a spin, instead of rushing out to buy it.
For those who don’t know, Down is Phil Anselmo (ex-Pantera and Superjoint Ritual vocalist), Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity guitarist and vocalist), Kirk Windstein (Crowbar guitarist and vocalist), Rex Brown (ex-Pantera bassist), and Jimmy Bower (Crowbar drummer; Superjoint Ritual and Eyehategod guitarist). Down is not just another lame metal supergroup. They have been releasing material under the Down moniker for over 10 years, but up until this album, that material was just too damned heavy for me.
So what’s changed? I’m not too sure. I never really paid too much attention to the previous releases, after a few obligatory listens, but it seems they slowed it down a little. Got a little more restrained, got more personal and darker, and ended up better for it. Then there was the Katrina tragedy. Being a NOLA based band, they witnessed and lived in of the destruction, death and struggle that followed (and continues today despite what the TV may tell you). Couple that with Phil’s struggles to get off drugs and the muder of Dimebag, and you get an endless well of pain, anger, sorrow and all bases in between to draw from. All in all, you end up with what I think is their best effort to date.
My only complaint, if I were to need to find one, would be the silence of the Pepper. And really, this is probably just because I am a HUGE C.O.C. fan, but I wish Pepper could have done some vocals on the album…
Down – On March the Saints
Down – N.O.D.
Down – Never Try
Down’s Official Site, Down on myspace, Buy Over the Under
Autopsy IV
Part time blogger. Full time hater.