Down Plan For May Release of New EP Tentatively Titled ‘Down IV’

Good news for Down fans who have been anxiously awaiting any updates on the EPs that the band have been working on. According to drummer Jimmy Bower, the first EP has been mixed and now it just needs to get the finishing touches of mastering and artwork before it can be released. Bower is anticipating an early May release date and although the album title hasn’t been officially confirmed, it is tentatively titled ‘Down IV.’

In a recent interview with Target Audience, Bower described the songs on the EP as “really Sabbath-ed-out,’ saying that they went for a really raw sound reminiscent of the first Down album ‘Nola.’ Bower talked about the EP, saying, “I'm really happy the way it came out. It's really aggressive and raw. All them rock 'n' roll adjectives in there, bro. It's doomy!"

This first EP is one of four that Down plan to release within the next year and a half. Bower talked about the concept behind it, “The idea is we're doing four EPs and the first one is pretty much cut-throat. The third one is supposed to be the acoustic one. But we're releasing four EPs within the next year and a half. They all coincide with one theme."

So what's the theme? Bower explained, "Well, it’s kind of like end of the world kind of sh--. Just the times we’re in. It reflects on how humanity is going apesh--. Like the artwork and everything. It's like a big story.” Guitarist Pepper Keenan will once again be creating all the artwork for the four EPs.

Down features an all star cast of Phil Anselmo on vocals, Jimmy Bower on drums, Corrosion of Conformity guitarist Pepper Keenan and Crowbar members Kirk Windstein on guitar and Pat Bruders on bass.

Down will also be making an appearance at this year's Rock on the Range set for May 18-20 in Columbus, Ohio.