Photo Credit: Danin Drahos
'The Myth' is the latest single from American heavy metal icons Down. The track comes off the band’s long-awaited new studio album, Volume V, set for release on 20th November via Nuclear Blast Records.
Watch 'The Myth' here: https://youtu.be/bKOyGjvCHdg
Stream here: https://down.bfan.link/the-myth
Pre-order Volume V here: https://down.bfan.link/volume-v
Down were never just a band. It’s a brotherhood rooted in childhood friendships that have endured for decades. It’s an homage to the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s music meant for anybody who has ever headbanged, played air guitar, or worn a weathered tour t-shirt like armour. For over three decades, the quintet – Philip H. Anselmo, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein, Jimmy Bower, and Pat Bruders – have quietly built a legacy like no other. When these individuals congregate, magic ensues, conjured by earthquaking grooves, bellowing straight from the soul, and riffing loud enough to awaken an ancient deity. This autumn, Down begin another chapter with Volume V.
Volume V opens with the blistering barnburner, 'The Myth'. It sets the tone with a powerhouse vocal, pummelling rhythms, and precise down-picking. “‘The Myth’ has some epic moments,” comments Anselmo. “It’s a jammer. It’s got a big nod to Trouble, but vocally I’m thinking of James Dewar, Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Glenn Hughes, and many of the other greats… The track and video are both straightforward and hammering.”
“It’s a perfect example of a classic Down collaboration,” says Windstein. “Amazing vocals, great riffs, and it comes together in a great Down song!”
Keenan agrees, “‘The Myth’ is classic Down in all its hammer fisted glory leading into a ‘70s jam trip that’s damn well worthy of the ride. Deliberate decisions of all the things we love… Quoting my main man. ‘When times are tough, they count on us!’”
Notes Bruders, “This is one of those songs that almost wrote itself. Especially when we all got in the same room together to work it out. It stands alone like all the other songs on this album.”
“It’s one of my favourite tracks off the new record,” adds Bower. “It’s heavy hitting and has all the right moves. It’s no Myth…. This song rules!”
Down’s bond runs deep. The guys initially crossed paths as teens in various local bands throughout New Orleans. Over the years, each musician went off and made a name for himself with Anselmo notably fronting Pantera, Keenan holding down guitar and vocals for Corrosion Of Conformity, Windstein leading Crowbar, and Bower slinging guitar in Eyehategod.
Two writing sessions yielded the bulk of material on Volume V. Upholding a tradition dating back to Down II, the members retreated to Anselmo’s home studio and their de facto clubhouse, Nodferatu’s Lair. Songs originated on the spot as they jammed face-to-face. Throughout 2025, the music naturally took shape. Keenan and Windstein chose to simultaneously record guitar together, giving the album a timeless punch.
“These days, there’s no pressure,” Anselmo notes. “We each showed up with what we had, and everybody added their input. It was a true band effort. Pat was coming up with incredible riffs, and he’s such a great bass player. With Down, I can look across from me, and I know these motherfuckers. I know their shortcomings, and I know their strengths. I also know they’re all blessed. When I see them, they bring a level of comfort. There’s zero weight on my shoulders. I just have to do what I do, and those guys make it easy.”
Down’s Volume V was produced by Eddie Mapp and Down, mixed by Dave Fortman, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in California.
The record will be released on CD and digital formats as well as 2xLP in the following colour variants:
Orange (World)
Yellow + Red Galaxy (Nuclear Blast US Exclusive)
Orange + Red Galaxy (Nuclear Blast EU Exclusive) * Sold Out *
Black (Band Exclusive #1) * Sold Out *
Clear, Black + Red Smoke (Band Exclusive #2) * Sold Out *
Orange + Black Galaxy (Decibel Exclusive) * Sold Out *
Smoke (Revolver Exclusive) * Sold Out *
Transparent Neon Orange + Black Marble (Nuclear Blast Exclusive)
Down:
Philip H. Anselmo – vocals
Pepper Keenan – guitars
Jimmy Bower – drums
Kirk Windstein – guitars
Pat Bruders – bass
More on Down:
In 1991, Down’s first impromptu jam session yielded a now-legendary demo that made its way around the world. From there, the three-song tape effectively laid the foundation for 1995’s Platinum-certified NOLA. Metal Hammer cited the latter as, “a rock classic, period,” and Stereogum professed, “Our modern understanding of what metal in the Deep South sounds like and means starts with NOLA, and we should pay our respects.” The band delivered fan favorites such as Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow (2002), Down III: Over The Under (2007), Down IV – Part One (2012), and Down IV – Part Two (2014). Each tour proved to be special in its own right. Beyond packing houses on global headline jaunts, the group shared the stage with the likes of Metallica, Heaven & Hell, Danzig, and Melvins in addition to igniting festivals such as Aftershock, Louder Than Life, Hellfest, and Sick New World. It's no wonder Revolver christened the collective one of the “12 Greatest Supergroups in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal History.”
Tracklist:
1. The Myth
2. Merciful Fate
3. Turn Out The Light
4. The Message
5. Causeway Grief
6. Blood Oath
7. They Walk The Night
8. They Came From Dust
9. Ozz
10. Twice-Told Tales
