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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.

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