Heavy metal supergroup Down—vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower and bassist Pat Bruders—has signed with Nuclear Blast Records and is slated to release its long-awaited new full-length album in 2026.
“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,” the label said. “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!”
Anselmo said: “It’s good to sign with Nuclear Blast Records. It’s a good label home, and we’re ready to make some awesome recordings!”
“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,” Keenan said. “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.”
Bower said: “Nuclear Blast is a great label that put out some excellent records. It’s an honor to have them work our jams!”
The new full-length from Down will be the band’s first since “Down III: Over the Under” in 2007. The band released its two “Down IV” EPs in 2012 and 2014.
Down also is set to headline night one of the 2025 edition of Milwaukee Metal Fest on May 16. For more information, visit therave.com/metalfest. This show follows the band’s recent Western U.S. tour with Danzig.
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