Album Type : EP
Date Released : 13/5/2014
Label : Roadrunner
Records
DOWN
IV - PART II, track listing :
1. Steeple 05:45
2. We Knew Him Well 04:04
3. Hogshead/Dogshead 03:52
4. Conjure 08:31
5. Sufferer's Years 05:37
6. Bacchanalia 08:54
2. We Knew Him Well 04:04
3. Hogshead/Dogshead 03:52
4. Conjure 08:31
5. Sufferer's Years 05:37
6. Bacchanalia 08:54
The
Band :
Philip Anselmo | Vocals
Pepper Keenan | Guitars
Bobby Landgraf | Guitars
Pat Pruders | Bass
Jimmy Bower | Drums
Review
:
Plan
is / was for these EPs to take on different forms of heavy, I once read Pepper
Keenan say in an interview. Last one was some traditional Down shit, and I'm
pretty sure he said that the main inspiration for the second volume (this very
one that I am covering right here) was some of that straight up doom devotion
that the band is known to foster. Now either I made that up, I got it wrong,
they released the wrong one ahead of schedule, or I am completely right.
Pretty
sure it's option four.
It
doesn't happen often, but when it does I like to be vindicated to the sound of
a band like Down playing a fairly doom influenced outing. Not some modern, slow
paced thing (although that is fine by me) but the more traditional 70s rock
kind. Possibly pioneered by some band from Birmingham
Lead
release / single this time around is 'We
Knew Him well'. It was the first taste we had of new material, and it makes
sense as an ideal showcase given the overall tone of the EP. Classic collapsing
riffs that Down are known for, but focusing on the darker energies that maybe
haven't really seen the light of day since way back when on '...Hedgerow'. That
was a truly dark album with classic influences, and this track would not be out
of place on that particular slab of drug fuelled haze - my personal favourite
of all their back catalogue. Amazing how they are evoking the spirit of that
time and most of them are clean cut boys these days. Being well behaved is not
without merit, it would appear.
'Conjure' is again right out of the
handbook of that band from Brum, but
when has that ever been a bad thing? The adventures of four working class men
with a flair for the occult and some weed have stood the test of time for a
reason. There is an almost blues essence to be found here, Anselmo's voice only
increases in commanding presence with age. That Bower power is set to loose and
he lets it all hang out, but most notable is the fact those riffs do not suffer
at all for the loss of Windstein. Bobby Landgraf steps up to the plate and most
definitely deserves that promotion. He more than keeps up with Keenan and that
all important chemistry remains intact. Great tune.
No
slouching. None considered. None allowed. They didn't get to where they are
today by slacking off, and they continue to be fresh out of gum. I probably
prefer this to the last one (apart from 'Levitation',
I fucking LOVE that jam) and I had my worries headed in about the absence of
the beard of doom this time around. But they march on in relentless fashion,
like the disciples of the riff that they are. The plan of attack with this
string of four EPs remains the same: Leave 'em wanting more.
They
still compel me.
Words by : Matt Fitton
You
can get it everywhere now, in just about every format.
