Skip to main content

New Down? Sign Me Up!

Listen to Witchtripper, Down's first studio release in five years here, courtesy your pals at Rolling Stone.

We've been hearing endless rumours and speculation about Down's next project, dating back a couple of years now. Well, never ones to blindly rush in, the band has taken their time and let this project come along slowly, like a nice tender roast.

Well, it's supper time. The long promised series of EPs (in lieu of a new album) is close to being rolled out, with the first (originally reported under the name EP One, now being promoted as the decidedly more wordy Down IV Part I - The Purple EP) coming on September 18. For those who haven't been following along, the plan is to release four EPs over the span of the next couple of years or so (I call it The Green Mile Approach in honour of Stephen King, who rolled out his bestseller in six installments back in '96), each one boasting a different flavour, presumably all coming together in the end like a good stew.

Anyway, the first EP is purported to be the one most in keeping with the traditional sound of the band as we know it, and Witchtripper certainly brings the Sabbath-infused chug-a-chug that earned their last album (2007's Over The Under) a spot on my Top 5 Albums of the Year. Even though the controlled release strategy automatically disqualifies them from taking Album of the Year honours, my excitement for this project to get going is hard to temper.

The Purple EP is out September 18 on Down Records.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Year in Rock 2025

  Alright, I've got some explaining to do.   By now anyone who's visited this blog is well aware of how infrequently I've used this space in recent years; aside from the occasional fertile year of content, I really haven't posted all that often over the last five years or so. There are many reasons for this, which have already been outlined in previous apology posts; but, essentially, it boils down to my own laziness and the cold reality that blogs are, like Refused (again), fucking dead. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for a triumphant return to reviews, or even semi-regular posts, but:   a) I feel like Year in Rock posts have always belonged here and, even though I've experimented with different methods of presentation recently and been satisfied, the "blink and you missed it" unveiling via Facebook stories this year was perhaps ultimately a disservice to the records I lauded. After all, cramming the list into short videos isn't too far off from ju...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year in Rock 2014: And the Winners Are...

It's been a long year, and another great one for rock n' roll. While the pop charts were overrun with barely legals obsessed with their asses, rock soldiered on undeterred even as pundits (hell, in some cases even rockers themselves) mourned the genre. Sure, rock didn't dominate the money game in 2014, but that shouldn't evoke sad nostalgia and eulogies. Even for as little perceived impact rock music made, a hell of a lot happened if people had only paid attention. From grizzled vets adding jewels to their crown (Springsteen, Petty) to new beginnings (Against Me!, Antemasque) to happy returns (Faith No More, The Tea Party) and all points in between, rock continued to thrive, evolve and thrill in 2014. Enough talk. It's winning time. Your Year in Rock winners for 2014 are...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hear Me Out: Why Do A Greatest Hits Album?

So, Silversun Pickups announced a "singles collection" today. Now, I'm no expert on "singles" or "hits" compilations; even so, I've got to say this announcement threw me for a loop for a couple of reasons. For starters, isn't it a bit early for a band like Silversun Pickups to be given the "greatest hits" treatment? I know, I know, it's a "singles collection". But, come on; it looks like a greatest hits album, it smells like a greatest hits album, so on so forth. More importantly, though, are these really necessary entities in 2014? I mean, who is this album for? Casual fans who've already downloaded the singles they like or established fans who are expected to shill out $15 for one new song?
1 comment
Read more