DOWN — NOLA

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3.12 | 25 ratings | 5 reviews

Album · 1995

Filed under Stoner Metal
By DOWN

Tracklist

01. Temptation's Wings (4:24)
02. Lifer (4:39)
03. Pillars of Eternity (3:56)
04. Rehab (4:03)
05. Hail the Leaf (3:28)
06. Underneath Everything (4:46)
07. Swan Song (3:35)
08. Eyes of the South (5:14)
09. Jail (5:18)
10. Losing All (4:21)
11. Stone the Crow (4:43)
12. Pray for the Locust (1:08)
13. Bury Me in Smoke (7:04)

Total Time 56:39

Line-up/Musicians

- Phil Anselmo / Vocals, Guitars (track 11)
- Pepper Keenan / Guitars
- Kirk Windstein / Guitars, Bass
- Jimmy Bower / Drums

Guest/session musicians:
- Todd Strange / Whistle (track 2) (originally also credited for bass)
- Lil' Daddy / Percussion (additional) (track 8), Water pipe (track 5)
- Big Ross / Keyboards (track 8)
- Sid Montz / Percussion (track 8)

About this release

Label: Elektra Records
Release Date: September 19, 1995

Recorded between August 29, 1994 and January 22, 1995.
Produced by Matt Thomas and Down.
Mixed by Down, Matt Thomas, and David Farrell.
Booklet art by Jim DeBarros and David Manteau.

Thanks to Stooge, Unitron, MorniumGoatahl for the updates

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DOWN NOLA reviews

Specialists/collaborators reviews

SilentScream213

Coming off of the cowboy trailblazers of Groove Metal, Phil forms a supergroup and establishes another new genre: Southern Metal. While not the first album in this style, NOLA definitely solidified the genre, which already took immense influence from Pantera’s Texan foundation.

This album has a much more traditional sound than what Pantera were doing at the time, with Stoner groove and Heavy Metal riffs, and a bit of Sludge in the tones and themes. All of these traits would become common in the genre.

The problem with this album for me (like with almost any Stoner album) is that it doesn’t really have any mood, it’s just riffs and grooves for the sake of it. The lyrical themes are quite dark, but the fun jamming sound of the album just take their power away. The music is proficient and a few of the riffs are catchy enough, and Phil sounds great, but the album doesn’t evoke anything more than that. The best riffs like those found at the beginning of tracks “Hail the Leaf” and “Losing All” are mitigated by chuggy, boring midsections that add nothing to the songs.

more than 2 years ago
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Report #830473

UMUR

"NOLA" is the debut full-length studio album by US metal act Down. The album was released through Elektra Records in September 1995. Down were formed in 1991 by lead vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarist Pepper Keenan, guitarist Kirk Windstein, bassist Todd Strange, and drummer Jimmy Bower. All seasoned veterans of the New Orleans scene (and old friends) and active in acts like Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar, and Eyehategod. The band recorded a three-song demo, which they handed out to fans at shows when playing with their daytime job bands, without telling the fans they themselves were playing on the demo. That way the demo and the Down name were spread in the metal underground. It wasn´t until an Elektra Records representative attended a one-of Down show in New Orleans that they band got signed. "NOLA" was a successful release and Down gathered for a 13-date tour, before returning to their main acts again.

The band members originally formed Down because of their mutual love for heavy doomy music like Black Sabbath and Trouble, but on "NOLA" they inject the heavy riffs and rhythms with a sourthern stoner groove and Anselmo´s distinct sounding aggressive vocals (although he also sings more clean and melodic here). It´s a massive heavy sound with a great organic groove. Ultra heavy blues based rock music featuring catchy heavy riffs, groove laden heavy rhythms, and recognisable vocal melodies. Although the heavy groove based riffs are quite dominant in the soundscape, the band successfully incorporate more mellow and laid back moments too. A dynamic songwriting approach which is great for the variation of the album. The stoned mellow moments also go well with the often drug themed lyrics and songtitles like "Hail the Leaf", "Rehab" and "Bury Me in Smoke".

The sound production is raw, organic, and heavy. Personally I´m not a huge fan of the guitar tone, but it´s a subjective observation, and "NOLA" is arguably a well produced release, and the sound production suits the material well. Upon conclusion "NOLA" is a quality stoner metal release by Down. It´s well performed, well produced, and well written, so a 3.5 star (70%) rating isn´t all wrong.

more than 2 years ago
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Report #819689

Warthur

Straight down the line sludge metal with stoner flavouring. On NOLA, Down lack the distinctive personality of sludge bands like the Melvins, or the daring experimentalism associated with acts such as Neurosis. This is possibly down to the act's origins as a supergroup, of course: the point of the project might have been to kick back, relax, and jam away at some sludgy material without sweating too much about producing some sort of masterpiece. And, to be fair, as far as supergroup projects go it's better than many. All the participants get a fair amount of spotlight time, and crucially they all seem to be pulling together as far as the band's direction goes, so the end result is entertaining but not eye-opening.

more than 2 years ago
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Report #274191

Kingcrimsonprog

The New Orleans based band Down released their debut album NOLA all the way back in 1995 and over the years it has moved from a sort of cult classic to one of the essential heavy metal albums of our time.

Down brought together Phil Anselmo, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein and surprisingly Jimmy Baur on drums to play a sort of sludge and southern rock influenced stoner rock style.

NOLA, named after the band’s New Orleans Louisiana roots, contains many of the band’s most loved songs, from the likes of big rocking songs such as ‘Lifer,’ ‘Bury Me In Smoke,’ and ‘Hail To The Leaf,’ to softer more contemplative moments like ‘Jail,’ and ‘Pray For The Locust.’

The album has no weak links, basically every track is a classic and the majority of the album is played live to this day which should speak volumes of about its quality.

As well as inspired songwriting, and great performances, the album has an exceptional production job, almost years ahead of its time. The album sounds big and meaty, with an immense drum sound yet at the same time sounds like an old undiscovered vinyl gem from back in the 70s.

NOLA may come from a pretty esteemed pedigree, but at the same time actual manages to still be greater than the sum of its parts. If you have the slightest interest in Down or even just in the genre, you really need to check this album out.

more than 2 years ago
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Report #252550

Members reviews

thellama73

Down is a sludge metal supergroup based in New Orleans, Louisiana (hence the album name.) Ordinarily, I am no fan of supergroups and feel that too many dominant personalities ruin the group dynamic, but this one does a pretty great job of coming up with some first rate metal. he music is distinctly southern, not surprising given the musicians, and has something of a "good ol' boy" feel, which I find very appealing.

The songs are generally riff based, relying on just one or two guiatr patterns for their duration. With some groups, this can come off as tedious and unimaginative, but the riffs are strong enough here that the result is an undeniable catchiness. Although classified as Sludge, there are also plenty of uptempo numbers to be found. The album opener, "Temptation's Wings" is an obvious example. On the other end of the spectrum, "Underneath Everything" offers a delightfully slow stoner metal groove.

The vocals are my favorite kind in metal. Not death metal growling, but way rougher than the polished crooning of many power metal singers, and all of the other musicians more than hold their own. While only a few of the songs contain proper solos, they are uniformly impressive without descending into self indulgence. My only complaint is that the bass is practically inaudible for most of the record,

Overall, this is a great album, and while none of the songs are really bona fide masterpieces, they are all of high enough quality that I can unhesitatingly award it four stars.