After years of studio silence, the legendary New Orleans metal supergroup Down is roaring back to life when it comes to new material. The band — featuring vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower, and bassist Pat Bruders — has officially signed a deal with Nuclear Blast Records, signaling the beginning of a long-awaited new chapter.
The label announced the signing with unmistakable enthusiasm: “Nuclear Blast is proud to be in the trenches with NOLA legends Down as their partner in their long overdue return to the metal world. In addition, we are excited to bring some of their key past catalog releases back into the spotlight, especially on the vinyl side. There are so many longtime Down fans at Nuclear Blast who are excited to be working with one of their all-time favorite bands. 2026 can’t come soon enough!”
This new partnership marks a major move for Down, whose upcoming full-length album is now in its final stages and scheduled for release in 2026. It’s a significant return for a band that has cultivated a loyal following thanks to its sludge-laced fusion of doom, Southern rock, and classic heavy metal.
Frontman Anselmo kept it simple and direct: “It’s good to sign with Nuclear Blast Records. It’s a good label home and we’re ready to make some awesome recordings!”
Guitarist Keenan, who is also a member of Corrosion Of Conformity, acknowledged the familiarity of the relationship: “Having already been a part of the Nuclear Blast family with Corrosion Of Conformity, it is an honor and a privilege to be here as well with my brothers in Down. The team at Nuclear Blast is a well-oiled machine, and you can definitely tell they love what they do. We are in the right place.”
Drummer Bower echoed the sentiments: “Nuclear Blast is a great label that put out some excellent records. It’s an honor to have them work our jams!”
As we await more news on the new album, we won’t have to wait long to see Down in action. The band is headlining the first night of this year’s Milwaukee Metal Fest, fresh off a Western U.S. tour with Danzig.
