Superjoint Ritual - DOWN - Phil Anselmo Projects

[Üncle Snake]

Jeff Kerby of KNAC.COM recently conducted an exclusive interview with SUPERJOINT RITUAL bassist Hank Williams III. An excerpt from the interview follows:

KNAC.COM: Right after Dime's murder, you became a spokesperson of sorts for Phil [Anselmo] and SUPERJOINT. How hard was that for you personally? Was it in any way awkward being a part of a band that was played up by many as a "rival" of DAMAGEPLAN?

Hank III: "It was definitely difficult. It is kinda hard for any musician to go through — no musician has ever been taken down like that on stage. For it to have been Dime just made it that much harder to believe. When I woke up that morning though, I knew something was wrong. There were like eighty fuckin' phone calls and sure enough the whole thing was hard to believe. Everyone thought Phil would be in the ground before Dime just because of the way he lives and all…but that really hit Phil hard. Even though there was some bickering going on between the bands, there was going to be a PANTERA reunion tour. You know, he was looking forward to it. They were talking about it. I was even talking to Phil the other day, and he was like, 'My guitar player's dead — what the fuck?' He's just working on himself now though and he's getting ready to get his back straightened out and have that surgery. He will be back though — it could be DOWN or it could be SUPERJOINT or some thing we don't even know about yet. It did fuck us all up though. I'm glad I had my moment though with David Allan Coe and PANTERA — it was great to be able to perform with Dime and Vinnie at their house. That was the biggest night in music for me — country or metal. Just to have those guys together was something else."

KNAC.COM: They said any time there was a barbecue, Dime was cranking up DAVID ALLAN COE or KISS.

Hank III: "Yeah, he loved that shit, man. They had a great relationship. He was a good guy, man. Like I said, I thought he might drink himself to death, instead of somebody without a ticket fuckin' shootin’ him. It was crazy."

KNAC.COM: At what point did your apprehension and anger about what happened to Dime start to affect what you were doing?

Hank III: "The very first time I went to Texas, I was a little affected. I was like, 'I dunno what the fuck is gonna go on.' Yeah, I had my two guys up there with their vests and guns in their pockets and all… but I've probably been back to Texas five times or so since then it happened. No matter what though, you can't escape it. If there is a bullet with your name on it, it's gonna get you man. He was killed in December, and probably by February, I was back out on the road. Like when I do the ASSJACK stuff, I have tunnel vision and can probably only see about four feet in front of the stage. If somebody jumps up on stage, we don't freak out about it. That was the first thing Phil would say when we played, you know, 'Our stage is your stage, so get your fuckin' asses out here!' Now, with that band, in my opinion, it might end up a totally different thing. I don't know if he'll ever feel the same way again — he might. He might just get over it and accept whatever his fate is or it might be a full-on freaked out security issue."

KNAC.COM: Do you think it could ever even be possible for Phil to carry on in a way where the Dime tragedy wasn’t a primary focal point? I mean, it seems like the quote that bothered people the most was the one where he implied that if he wanted something done to Dime, he wouldn‘t necessarily have to be the one to do it — there were other people that would.

Hank III: "Well, he talked a lot of shit, and that can't be denied, but so did DAMAGEPLAN. Part of it is though that when you break up with your brothers that you've been out on the road with, there's gonna be some sore feelings for awhile, and then you get back together. It has happened with everybody from JANE'S ADDICTION to BLACK SABBATH. The problem here though was that this just had a bad twist of fate to it. I mean, Phillip preaches some dark stuff, but did he really want this to happen? No fuckin' way. Not at all. It's just a fucked up fate thing."

KNAC.COM: How much did the uncertainty surrounding Phil have to do with you getting "Straight to Hell" recorded and getting back out on the road — I know you’ve said numerous times that you have to keep working.

Hank III: "Yeah, I’ve always had that mentality of trying to keep myself or my band busy. As far as it goes, Phil does want to get back out on the road — he's getting antsy sitting back at his house. I know he has said he would never go back out on the road, but lately he has said that he might actually get back out there. It's hard to say, man. He's working on himself and what he’s got to deal with — you know, like he knows that even if he tries to forget, there's always gonna be that one mutherfucker…"

KNAC.COM: At every show…

Hank III: "Yeah, it used to be that every time he heard someone yell 'PANTERA' he would take it as a slap in the face. It's like, you can't help that, man. You were in one of the baddest mutherfuckin' bands in the world. Be proud of that. Just because they scream out 'PANTERA' doesn't mean they don't like you. It is definitely going to be interesting to see whatever happens. He's still gonna make music, and I'm just about positive that he's gonna get back out on the road. Now, with what band…who's to say? SUPERJOINT's label just went under the table, so there doesn't have to be a third album. Basically, he could do anything — he could even start his own label. Phil just has so many projects that most people don't even know about."

Read the entire interview at KNAC.COM.

[Üncle Snake]

Former PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo has spoken exclusively to Revolver magazine about the death of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, Anselmo's much-rumored substance-abuse problems and the role the heavy metal media has played in PANTERA's eventual demise, among many other topics. Several excerpts from the article (published in the magazine's February 2006 issue, due to hit newsstands on December 6) follow:

Revolver: Tell me about the past year.

Anselmo: "Man, this has been the worst year of my life — it's been the worst year of many people's lives. Ever since… Ever since my guitar player was taken from me, basically."

Revolver: How much do you miss Dime?

Anselmo: "I miss him more than I can even begin to say. I think of him every single waking day — every 30 minutes, if not every five minutes.

"And… [he pauses] Trying not to get choked up here. I'm trying to compose myself. I speak with Rex [Brown, PANTERA's bass player] often. We both are dealing with it… I'm in therapy. I never had to see a psychiatrist before. I see one regularly now. They tried to put me on antidepressants, but I won't take them because I don't trust drugs at all anymore. I don't trust a fucking pill, not unless it's a vitamin.

"I feel so goddamn bad for Vince [Paul, PANTERA's drummer and Darrell's brother], because during the writing of our last record, [his and Darrell's] mother passed away… I miss Vince. I miss his sense of humor. And Dime — there was no more creative, beautiful, perfect motherfucker ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. He could make something out of nothing — if we were in Bumfuck, Anywhere, he could find some kind of something to do that would end up being fun, you know? And not to mention his music, our music. Dimebag, Vinnie, Rex — they were the greatest, and still are the greatest, musicians I've ever played with. I will always love everybody in that band, man. We had so much chemistry together. I miss it so goddamn much. You know, it took me quite awhile, but after about six months, I watched some old videos, I listened to our records, and I was just stunned, amazed, gasping for air, because I knew that I was part of something that changed heavy metal forever. And it took all four of us.

"To lose someone like Dime, and to have his brother in such pain, it kills me. I'd give one of my fingers to fix everything somehow, go back in time, or to have been there. This is a harsh thing to say, but if I saw some stupid son of a bitch coming at my guitar player with a gun, I would have knocked his block off, you know? I would have taken a bullet for that motherfucker."

Revolver: Have you tried to contact Vince?

Anselmo: "Yes, right afterwards, and I don't blame him for his isolation. I mean, it's a stunning, stunning thing. It's nothing you can just put out of your mind, it's nothing you can drink away, it's nothing you can go to a psychiatrist for a couple of months and he can put everything into perspective. I fear the worst for him, because I love him so much, you know? All I have in my heart is love, and when I say this, there's no way I can leave the fans out.

"We, PANTERA, had the greatest, the most intense, dedicated fans I've ever seen in my goddamn life. And I really hope with all my heart that one day, people — especially our fans and my friends — can see clearly enough to think for themselves and really realize that I have nothing but love for them. I've just been going through personal hell since December. Once again, it's very hard to talk about, man. You know, my heart is in a thousand pieces a day.

"But there is something very, very, very important that I've been wanting to say for a long time… and the only reason I couldn't say it before was because I always wanted that air of 'a new level of confidence and power' — you know, that 'vulgar display of power.' When I was in my middle twenties, I could walk through walls. There wasn't a man big enough to kick my fucking ass. I'd rock with anyone, and I don't remember losing a fight.

"And then I tried a drug called heroin, because deep inside of myself I thought — I knew — there was no way that any drug could conquer me. No way. But the second time I did it in my entire life, it killed me.

"Then I rebounded from that, played a show the very next night, knew that there's no way I'm messing with that garbage anymore. But I could tell something was screwed up with my back, something was not right. Pain, severe pain. So in between tours, I had an MRI, my first of six. Sure enough, the lowest lumbar disc in my back was ruptured — shattered from being onstage since I was 14 years old, jumping off the stage, off Vinnie's drum set, going as crazy as possible.

"So I asked my doctor, 'What can I do about this?' And he says, 'Well, you're going to have to wear a back brace,' which I've been wearing for 10 years now. [Anselmo pulls up his shirt to reveal a large back brace around his midsection.]

Revolver: Damn.

Anselmo: "Nobody's known that. Anybody who ever thought I had a beer gut or I was fat, I was holding my bones together. Then, after two, three more tours — another MRI. I got another damaged disc, and no cartilage between the bottom one and the next one, which meant bone-on-bone scraping and nerve damage, and so the painkillers got stronger, stronger, stronger just to get up on that goddamn stage and do what I do, man. I mean, I was born to do this and I've known it since I was 6 years old.

"Back in the Nineties, I went to see so many goddamn surgeons, and they all wanted to slice me open from the belly, take pieces of my hipbone out, take all my guts out, lay them on a table, and then fuse the discs from the front, use pieces of my hip to fill gaps in the bone and cartilage, then put all my guts back in, sew me up. I asked the doctor, 'Well, what's the recovery time for something like that?' And he's like, 'Oh, 10 months to a year, maybe a year and a half.' I'm like, 'No way. I gotta work, bro. We're going to Europe. We're doing Ozzfest. I cannot take a year off.' And then, on top of that, I had doctors ask me if I had been fitted for a wheelchair. That's how bad it was. And I never have let that out of the bag before. I said, 'A wheelchair?! I still jump off the damn drum riser, man.' And they're like, 'You're just going to screw yourself up.'

"And so eventually, I got put on the heaviest painkiller known to mankind — it's called methadone. Most people relate methadone to heroin, but I saved every bottle, every document — everything was for my back. And you know, it still hurt to be up there on stage, and when I woke up in the morning, it felt like an ice pick was shoved in my lower back, and the colder it got, the worse it got. And when you'd go to Europe in the middle of winter, it's like, man, I cannot do this without medicine.

"So I think people, especially journalists, took it upon themselves — and I really can't blame them, because I've never spilled these particular beans before. But I was slurring my words, I didn't have that glow anymore. It was killing my soul. You know, drugs, dope, everything you ever hear about them, it's true, man.

"So now, here we are in 2005 — medical science and neurology have come a very extreme distance. I have found an incredible doctor. He has put me through rigorous tests. They've given me my sixth MRI and nuclear testing where they make all your bones glow. [Laughs] And the worst of all was the last one. It's called the discogram — they allow no medication, no relaxants at all, and the whole purpose of the procedure is to duplicate the pain that you feel.

"So, at that point in time, I was slowly coming off this poison called methodone, which ruined my life, and another pill, which anybody who takes it is out of their mind. It's called Soma. That's what makes you sound like you're on the biggest amount of dope in the world — it makes you retarded, and I hated it. And so I want to apologize to all of my fans. I just wanted to play for you guys, man. And I think an apology is due for all my close friends and family, who had to endure what they didn't understand. And Dimebag, Vinnie Paul, Rex — they didn't understand the pain I was going through and the medicines and all of that. I apologize — so much. I'm not making excuses, but living with chronic pain makes you antisocial, depressed, not yourself. It changes your life, and it did mine, and now I want it back.

"And so, next month, on November the eighth [pushed back to Nov. 21 after this interview was conducted — Ed.], I'm going under the knife, and I'm getting this motherfucker fixed finally, and I will walk through walls again, and I will punch through bricks, and I will rise again. Mark my goddamn words."

Revolver: When you do tour again, are you worried at all that some crazy will try to take you out?

Anselmo: "There ain't no way I'm playing a show unless the security's tight and everybody knows the score, man."

Revolver: But as you know, some people really hate you…

Anselmo: "Man, look, there is no way anyone in this world can vicariously live through that tragedy and blame anyone but the kid who shot my guitar player, for God's sake. So many people don't even know me, and they have formed an opinion. I would suggest to every person that reads this, before you judge anyone else, make sure and check yourself out first. Because imperfection is just a human way, man. And opinions are like assholes — everybody has one. And when you assume something, yes, the ass comes out in you. Don't believe every fucking thing that you read, especially these goddamn tabloid magazines, like Kerrang! and Metal Hammer, for all the tasteless bullshit that they pulled."

Revolver: So what did those magazines pull? And how big a role did it play in things going so wrong with PANTERA in the end?

Anselmo: "You know, after the SLAYER/MORBID ANGEL tour [in 2001] that we did, I thought it was wisest to take a break. I wanted to get the second DOWN album done, and I wanted to release the SUPERJOINT [RITUAL] album, because both of them had been on ice for so long. Never did I think that before interviews would even start, I'd have guys come in and tell me how much Darrell and Vince hated my guts. Or I would say something in jest, or I would say something that would be taken so completely out of context, like, I would kick Dimebag Darrell's ass or something like that."

"Look, man, the world knows that I probably wouldn't be the easiest guy to fight, but I would never raise a hand to Dimebag Darrell. That would be like raising a hand to my own family, and it would never happen. Ever. No way.

"And goddamn, man, I would never quit PANTERA. Are you crazy? I mean, that was my home. That was my real band, you know? And now, yeah, I'm starting from scratch, and all I know how to do is play music. That's all I know how to do. But if there's any silver lining within all these clouds, it's that our music does live forever within our records. That is immortal. As is the strength of our fans and the faith that I have in our fans to realize that Dime's murder was the action of a psychotic motherfucker who believed in the media too much and fell into this hype thing. Our fans are hardcore, and it kills them, what happened, but it's not going to do any good to take sides, because there is only one side, you know?

"So goddamn the effects of drugs, goddamn the fucking media personnel who toy with words and don't expect consequences. And goddamn anyone who thinks that I had anything but love for Dimebag Darrell. A part of me, a gigantic part of me, is destroyed, and I am a different man."

Philip Anselmo's entire interview with Revolver can be found in the magazine's February 2006 issue, due to hit newsstands on December 6.

[muthagoose]

Classic 1980s Live Footage Posted Online

Over 20 classic PANTERA videos — consisting mostly of live footage recorded between 1984 and 1988 — has been made available for viewing online at Web Of Hair.

www.youtube.com/profile_videos.php?user=webofhair

Included on the site are live clips of PANTERA covering classic hard rock songs from such artists as JUDAS PRIEST, AC/DC, KISS and ACCEPT; various PANTERA promotional videos, and other assorted footage of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott shredding when he was still in his late teens/early 20s.

[muthagoose]

DOWN To Enter Studio In September

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — will begin work on new material shortly after returning home from their European summer tour and are tentatively planning on entering the studio in September to begin recording their third album.



DOWN will play a number of dates in Europe this spring/summer beginning in late May and lasting through June. So far, only one date has been officially announced: Thursday, June 1 at the tenth edition of Gods Of Metal festival at Idroscalo in Milan, Italy. Also appearing on the bill are VENOM, DIMMU BORGIR, OPETH, TESTAMENT, NEVERMORE and SATYRICON, among other acts.

DOWN's sophomore album, "Down II", was released in March 2002 on Elektra Records. The band headlined the second stage at the 2002 Ozzfest.

[Ponyone]

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — is currently working on two albums' worth of material while planning a tour of the Pacific Rim and South America.

In a posting on the band's official forum, Rex writes, "Look for DOWN to tour the Pacific Rim, then South America while writing two records at one time. We got tons of acoustic stuff... So we're gonna do that, re-release the first album with me on bass, re-master 'Down II', and we still got the DOWN film to go... so lots of cool stuff about to happen."

As previously reported, DOWN filmed many of the shows on their recent European tour for an upcoming The band's sophomore album, "Down II", was released in March 2002 on Elektra Records. The band headlined the second stage at the 2002 Ozzfest.

[muthagoose]

DOWN: Live Recording From 2002 Available For Download


A full-length live version the DOWN song "Ghosts along the Mississippi", recorded on November 21, 2002 in Washington, D.C. (which Live-Metal.Net staffers were there for...) (the same day DOWN recorded its acoustic version of "Stone The Crow" at the studios of XM Radio), has been made available for download at DOWN's official MySpace page www.myspace.com/downnola .

Pictures of the band recording in the studio that day, and playing live that night, are available at this location: www.down-nola.com/pics.htm

- - - - - - - - -

As previously reported, DOWN members Pepper Keenan (guitar; also in CORROSION OF CONFORMITY), Jimmy Bower (drums; also in EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL), Kirk Windstein (guitar; also in CROWBAR), and Philip Anselmo (vocals; also in SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) performed at Tiptina's in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 12 as part of the "Sunday Music Workshop Series". The brainchild of Stanton Moore and Johnny and Deborah Vidacovich, the workshops take place every Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30 at Tipitina's Uptown, where students have the opportunity to play with and learn from the best musicians in the city.

Check out pictures and stories from the event at the official DOWN message board: www.downboard.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=1

Pepper Keenan recently spoke to Revolver magazine about the band's recent European tour and the progress of the songwriting sessions for the group's third album.

To make sure they still have the right mojo after a four-year hibernation, the members of DOWN booked 16 shows in Europe this summer. "We didn't even know if we could still jam together," Keenan told Revolver. "We didn't know if we were gonna tear each other's heads off. But we didn't. We got along great."

When they returned from overseas in early June, the band — Keenan (CORROSION OF CONFORMITY), singer Philip Anselmo (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA) and drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD) — started writing, using Anselmo's barn, dubbed "Nödferatu's Lair," outside of New Orleans as their studio. So far, DOWN have demoed a batch of new songs, and they hope to have a record out by the spring.

Keenan compares the process this time to the writing of DOWN's 1995 debut, "Nola", which came together out of the bandmates' love of playing together. "We're having a blast," Keenan told Revolver. "Once we have our ideas down, we just jam it in circle until our heads fall off. Phil's singing his ass off, and he's completely sober, so we're all really focused. We just want to do a killer fuckin' record because I think rock and roll sucks nowadays — so we're gonna make a monster."

[Ponyone]

DOWN To Tour With HANK WILLIAMS III Next Year?

In a recent interview with www.GuildGuitars.com, SUPERJOINT RITUAL bassist and acclaimed solo artist Hank Williams III revealed that his solo band will hit the road with DOWN next year. Asked if SUPERJOINT RITUAL was over and done with, Hank replied, "As for now, I always say that SUPERJOINT is in the grave. It might come back; I don't know. But as far as what's going on with Philip [SUPERJOINT RITUAL/ex-PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo], the new DOWN record is in the process of being made; us and DOWN are gonna tour next year — it could be two weeks, it could be two months; I don't know."

DOWN is the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring Anselmo, CROWBAR frontman Kirk Windstein, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), and bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA). The group's third album is tentatively expected in early 2007.

DOWN's sophomore album, "Down II", was released in March 2002 on Elektra Records. The band headlined the second stage at the 2002 Ozzfest.

[muthagoose]

DOWN Records Tribute To THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS; Lyrics Revealed

Ross Karpelman, who plays keyboards for DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — has revealed that DOWN has written a song called "On March the Saints" for its upcoming, as-yet-untitled third album, tentatively due later in the year. "It is about... well... The Saints [referring to the American football team The New Orleans Saints — Ed.] but also about those people who persevered and brought life and the spirit of New Orleans back to this great city of ours," Ross revealed in an online posting at the NOLA Underground site.

He added, "We would like to make this song available to the city of New Orleans for a pre-release because we are all huge Saints fans and this song will express our support for the team and our city.

"If you are interested in hearing the song please contact your local radio stations (WWL...Bayou Rock... WRNO... 106.7 etc.) and let them know you want to hear DOWN's new Saints song! Thanks... GO SAINTS!"

DOWN - "On March the Saints" lyrics:

Be something that amounts to nothing the threat
A wrecking ball plowing through our karma
We have no confident voice in our ears for tonight
Exist in memory (the) only headline

(chorus)
We have been through change, by the season of the storms
Its irony, the cleansing
Except eccentric faith, to need religion
To sit high among the elect
On march the Saints

There's no such thing as a good time for bad luck
As minutes turn to distressed fragmented moments
Reading lips unable to hear the talk
Partake no tangible out in tomorrow

(chorus)
We have seen the change, from the season of the storms
Its irony, the cleansing
With all our lives at stake, from at rest to present
Are sitting high, among the elect
On march the Saints

MARCH [End of Lyrics]

Keenan recently compared the songwriting process for DOWN's new album to the writing of DOWN's 1995 debut, "Nola", which came together out of the bandmates' love of playing together. "We're having a blast," Keenan told Revolver magazine. "Once we have our ideas down, we just jam it in circle until our heads fall off. Phil's singing his ass off, and he's completely sober, so we're all really focused. We just want to do a killer fuckin' record because I think rock and roll sucks nowadays — so we're gonna make a monster."

DOWN's sophomore album, "Down II", was released in March 2002 on Elektra Records. The band headlined the second stage at the 2002 Ozzfest.

[muthagoose]

DOWN To Tour North America With HEAVEN AND HELL, MOTÖRHEAD

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — has confirmed rumors that it will tour North America in March as the opening act for HEAVEN AND HELL and MOTÖRHEAD. DOWN will play a total of 10 shows as part of the package and will also perform four headlining gigs on the East Coast.

The HEAVEN AND HELL / MOTÖRHEAD / DOWN tour will kick off in Vancouver, British Columbia, on March 3 and play at least seven shows across Canada, including Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City. An exclusive New York City date is also planned. ***Unconfirmed*** tour dates so far are as follows:

Mar. 03 - [To Be Announced] - Vancouver, BC
Mar. 22 - Air Canada Center - Toronto, ONT
Mar. 25 - Bell Centre - Montreal, QUE
Mar. 26 - Colisee - Quebec City, QUE

HEAVEN AND HELL — the new band featuring legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) alongside original BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, plus drummer Vinny Appice (DIO, BLACK SABBATH) — will then likely play South America, Japan, Korea, Australia and Europe before returning to North America for a U.S. tour in August or September.

HEAVEN AND HELL confirmed European festival appearances so far:

Jun 6-9 - Sölvesborg, SWE @ Sweden Rock
Jun. 09 - Tampere, FIN @ Sauna Open Air
Jun. 22-23 – Balingen, GER @ Bang Your Head!!!

The upcoming Dio-era BLACK SABBATH anthology, "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years", will feature three new songs ("Shadow of the Wind", "Devil Cries" and "Ear in the Wall"), and is tentatively due this spring.



"You're Goddamn Right..."

[muthagoose]

Down - Headlining Tour Dates Released

DOWN have announced the following headlining tour dates:

March 30 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
March 31 - New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom
April 1 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
April 2 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

[Ponyone]

DOWN: Another Video Of New Song 'I Scream' Available

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — premiered a brand new song, entitled "I Scream", during their headlining appearance at the El Corazon club in Seattle, Washington on Friday, March 9. Another video clip of the track has surfaced and can be viewed at YouTube.com:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPDk3RFMwwI

DOWN's setlist - Seattle's El Corazon, March 9, 2007:

01. Lysergik Funeral Procession
02. Lifer
03. There's Something On My Side
04. Losing All
05. Rehab
06. I Scream
07. Ghosts along the Mississippi
08. Learn from this Mistake
09. New Orleans is a Dying Whore
10. Temptation's Wings
11. Lies (I Don't Know What They Say But...)
12. Underneath Everything
13. Eyes of the South
14. Jail
15. Stone the Crow
16. Bury Me in Smoke

DOWN entered a Los Angeles studio last month to begin recording its third full-length album, tentatively titled "Down III". Producer Warren Riker (CROWBAR, SUBLIME) is helming the effort, for which the band had reportedly composed more than 18 tracks.

[muthagoose]

PHILIP ANSELMO Offers To Custom-Pen New KLITSCHKO Ring Entry Song

Scoop Malinowski of EastSideBoxing.com reports: Philip Anselmo, the lead vocalist of DOWN and formerly of mega-group PANTERA, feels IBF heavyweight boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko is missing a beat with his current ring entrance song "Can't Stop" by the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. And he'd like to help.

Anselmo, whose heavy metal/hard rock music has sold out several world tours, is a big fan of boxing. That may be an understatement. Anselmo actually studies overseas fight DVDs which he buys from fight film dealers, watches all boxing on TV and even trains boxing and has an advanced knowledge of boxing technique and strategy. Anselmo counts Emanuel Steward as a good friend. "Nothing against the CHILI PEPPERS but ('Can't Stop') takes away from the intensity and credibility of (Wladimir Klitschko's) dominance," said Anselmo last Friday, moments before ESPN2's telecast of Godfrey-Cora in Connecticut.

"The best (entrance song) I've heard is the second Byrd fight — the Ukrainian anthem which I think is beautiful. I would put in timphony drums. I've already got an idea. What I have to offer would pump the crowd up, it would pump the world up and it would pump up Klitschko."

"I'm more than capable of writing the ultimate Klitschko song entrance. Or the ultimate boxer song entrance."

Read more at EastSideBoxing.com.

[muthagoose]

DOWN's PEPPER KEENAN: New Album is 'Almost Done'

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — entered a Los Angeles studio in February to begin recording its third full-length album, tentatively titled "Down III". Producer Warren Riker (CROWBAR, SUBLIME) is helming the effort, for which the band had reportedly composed more than 18 tracks.

Pepper Keenan has issued the following update on MySpace:

"Holy shit, it's been a long trip but this DOWN record is almost done. Phil and I are in Hollywood mixing this beautiful beast and it friggin slams in every sense of the word. In the coming weeks we will be slipping info out through mine and DOWN's site straight to y'all, circumnavigating everything. It will be from the horse's mouth, stay tuned... here we go, see you on the horizon."

[muthagoose]

DOWN: New Album Tentative Release Date Revealed

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — is scheduled to release its long-awaited third full-length album, tentatively titled "Down III", on September 25 through the Independent Label Group (ILG), which is composed of Warner Music Group Corp.'s Asylum Records, East West Records and Cordless Recordings. Producer Warren Riker (CROWBAR, SUBLIME) helmed the effort, for which the band had reportedly composed more than 18 tracks.

DOWN bassist Rex Brown recently stated about the CD, "In a few short moons you will be hearing the most fck'n amazing and classic DOWN record ever made. Strap on your seatbelts and enjoy the fck'n ride. This is the real deal, folks; it ain't no bullshit. So smoke whiskey and let me know who's ready!?!"

DOWN guitarist Kirk Windstein commented, "We record tunes on two-inch tape and then drop them to ProTools. The mixing process is a lot easier with automation. But believe me, we jam our balls off on every tune. This ain't no computerized, polished nu-metal CD. This is the real deal!!"

[muthagoose]

DOWN: Official Album Title, Release Date Confirmed

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — has officially set "III - Over the Under" as the title of its third album, according to the band's publicist. The CD is scheduled for release on September 25 through the Independent Label Group (ILG), which is composed of Warner Music Group Corp.'s Asylum Records, East West Records and Cordless Recordings. Producer Warren Riker (CROWBAR, SUBLIME) helmed the effort, for which the band had reportedly composed more than 18 tracks.

In a recent interview with Andrew Haug of Triple J's "Full Metal Racket", Keenan stated about the upcoming DOWN CD, "Our main goal was to try and take these ideas and all the things we had been through personally and collectively [including Hurricane Katrina and death of Dimebag] and really try and focus on trying to stay positive and not using these negative things to write songs. So we were really trying to take that attitude and trying to do something like that, and I think we really pulled it off. I think it's a huge-sounding record, and the songs are big and the topics are big. I think it's something… regardless of if it's the hurricane or whatever you're going through in your life, I think these songs as a unit I'm very proud of, and they stand up for what we're trying to do. And I think it helps anybody who, like I did when I was younger, finds solace in music. I think it's one of those records."

[muthagoose]

DOWN: 'III - Over The Under' Track Listing Revealed

DOWN — consisting of Philip Anselmo, Rex Brown, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein and Jimmy Bower — is set to release "III - Over the Under" on September 25 through ILG/Warner Music Group.

In the summer of 2006, the band embarked on a six-week European headline tour with no opening band, no product, and strictly by word of mouth, proceeded to sell out all 21 shows. Inspired by the response, the band reconnected in New Orleans to begin work on its most ambitious record to date.

Having already tapped Warren Riker, who produced DOWN's second release, "II - A Bustle in Your Hedgerow", the band demoed some 18 songs in Nodferatu's Lair, Philip Anselmo's studio in the swamps of Folsom, LA, with engineer David "Puma" Troia. In February of 2007, the band commenced recording on their third and most committed record to date. Recorded in Los Angeles between February and July, with a Canadian tour with HEAVEN AND HELL thrown in just for good measure, 15 songs were ultimately cut for "Over the Under". The result is over 60 minutes of genre-defying music further solidifying their place at the forefront of heavy rock as only DOWN can do.

To chronicle the past five years leading up to the release of "III - Over the Under", Philip Anselmo will be placing periodic installments to be released over the course of the next month on the band's web sites leading up to the release of the record. This is Philip's personal communication to the band's loyal fan base and gives a first-hand account the tragedy, isolation, rebirth and ultimate triumph of one of the most important band's of our time. The first installment will appear on August 17 on www.down-nola.com and www.myspace.com/downnola.

"III - Over the Under" track listing:

01. 3 Suns And 1 Star
02. The Path
03. N.O.D
04. I Scream
05. On March The Saints
06. Never Try
07. Mourn
08. Beneath The Tides
09. His Majesty The Desert
10. Pillamyd
11. In The Thrall Of It All
12. Nothing In Return (Walk Away)

[muthagoose]

PHILIP ANSELMO: The Story DOWN's 'Over The Under' Part I

To chronicle the past five years leading up to the release of DOWN's new album, "III - Over the Under", Philip Anselmo is placing periodic installments to be released over the course of the next month on the band's web sites leading up to the release of the record. This is Philip's personal communication to the band's loyal fan base and gives a first-hand account the tragedy, isolation, rebirth and ultimate triumph of one of the most important band's of our time. The first installment follows:

"It is clear that I have not personally addressed the people. Fans of the music I've created with other bands old and new, and more importantly the new DOWN venture. Nor have I made any statements via Internet, radio, 'music' magazines, 'music' television, etc. I apologize, in all humbleness to the loyal, but today is the now, and I choose to communicate on my own terms. In my own words.

"Here is the story of DOWN – 'Over the Under':

"The end of 04' into 05' were two of the worst years for myself, everyone I know, or ever have, in the history of our young lives. A time of mourning of the highest gravity, I cannot put it into any form of explanation here, nor will I attempt to. (R.I.P. Darrell, in the true spirit of the most lofty love).

"Rex [Brown, bass] and I remained in constant contact. We had our separate therapists, in separate states, however, most importantly, we had one another for extended, real, therapy, then, and now.

"Later, in June (05'), after months of grief, that seemed like decades, I had just been cleared for neurosurgery. I was ecstatic.

"I was asked to jam with EYEHATEGOD (unforgettable!) in New York at CBGB. The day before we did the gig, I was turned on to an incredible band named WITCHCRAFT (first LP)/(respect and love to all of you!!) I was at Paul Booth's 'Last Rites' tattoo shop with EHG (much love brother!/thanks Sarah). The music blew me, and everyone else in the room away. Something else was out there. Being played pure and real. Jimmy Bower and I made eye contact, and telepathy ran its course between us. The first person I thought of was Pepper Keenan [DOWN guitarist]...

"I hadn't seen him in two years. It was my obligation, and need, to reach out. I did the gig, got on a plane back to New Orleans, took a cab straight to Pep's house, and beat on his door at a well past 10:00 p.m. with the WITCHCRAFT CD in tow. He opened the door, surprised and glad to see me. We sat and caught up for a while, then listened to the CD from the beginning 'till the last note. I noticed he would glance at me, and I at him acknowledging the classic and clever turnarounds and subtle hooks. I felt the telepathy. After the listening session, I told him of my 'awakening,' my upcoming medical agenda, and that I was 'returned.' I called a cab, and when it arrived, we hugged one another, and looked each other in the eye, and I saw his trepidation. I felt it. I had A LOT to prove. And my actions would have to speak volumes, to everyone close to me, who had to walk away, but I had planted a seed. The seed.

"I got home, and over the next few days, and made some imperative phone calls. I called Jim, whom I knew would be ecstatic that Pepper and I had finally made contact, and all went well. I was also very proud to be with Jim. He and I had been through so much together, and to have him as a part of my life, and ours (any and everybody!!!), is an honor. The only drummer for DOWN. Jim is also one of the most underrated drummers today.

"More importantly, Jim was in.

"I called Rex, and once again, telepathy, was obviously in epidemic proportion between us all. He was ready, waiting for the word. His own gears were already in motion, through association with an old, dear friend of ours, that I had lost touch with for over a decade.

"Rex was in.

"Now, when it comes to Kirk [Windstein, guitar], I have known him the longest. For 27 years it has been a seamless relationship. We know each other so well. There has never been a lie between us. There cannot be and never will. To play in a band together has always been a dream of ours, fulfilled, sporadically, throughout recordings and brief touring. As a person alone, he is as irreplaceable as he is unique. Loved by myself, and all who happen to cross his path in life. He is also irreplaceable as a musician, and a member of DOWN. I called Kirk with the news, and I already knew what his reply would be,

"Kirk was in.

"I called Ross Karpelman (keyboards).

"Ross was in.

"All that was left to do was to have the time to let the seed planted into everyone's psyche begin to take root…

"Eventually, we would all sit together, and talk this thing out. The telephone rapport became more frequent between all of us. We were ready to jam….Before we realized it, the next few weeks flew by into late August….

Installment II coming soon.

[muthagoose]

DOWN: 'III - Over the Under' Artwork Revealed

The cover artwork for DOWN's third album, "III - Over the Under", has been posted on Amazon.com. Due on September 25 through ILG/Warner Music Group, the CD features the following track listing:

01. 3 Suns And 1 Star
02. The Path
03. N.O.D
04. I Scream
05. On March The Saints
06. Never Try
07. Mourn
08. Beneath The Tides
09. His Majesty The Desert
10. Pillamyd
11. In The Thrall Of It All
12. Nothing In Return (Walk Away)

[muthagoose]

DOWN: More North American Tour Dates Announced

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — will embark on a North American headlining tour beginning late September. Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

Sep. 27 - Reno, NV @ Stoney’s
Sep. 28 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
Sep. 29 - Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre
Oct. 01 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
Oct. 02 - Spokane, WA @ Big Easy
Oct. 04 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Oct. 05 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
Oct. 06 - Boise, ID @ Big Easy Concert House
Oct. 08 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
Oct. 10 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Oct. 11 - Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Club
Oct. 14 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
Oct. 16 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
Oct. 19 - Detroit, MI @ Harpo’s
Oct. 20 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
Oct. 22 - Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix
Oct. 23 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Oct. 25 - New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom
Oct. 27 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
Oct. 31 - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
Nov. 07 - Atlanta, GA @ Roxy Theatre
Nov. 09 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing
Nov. 11 - Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
Nov. 13 - Houston, TX @ Meridian

[muthagoose]

PHILIP ANSELMO:
'I Haven't Been This Strong Since I Was 23-24 Years Old'

To chronicle the past five years leading up to the release of DOWN's new album, "III - Over the Under", Philip Anselmo is placing periodic installments to be released over the course of the next month on the band's web sites leading up to the release of the record. This is Philip's personal communication to the band's loyal fan base and gives a first-hand account the tragedy, isolation, rebirth and ultimate triumph of one of the most important band's of our time. The second installment follows:

"Hurricane Katrina has been documented over and again, so I can only write about how it affected myself, and DOWN directly.

"After the mandatory evacuation, every family member, friend, etc. were displaced all over the country for some time. Phone lines ripped down, cell phones useless, no communication. I was in a moel in Houston TX. Overlooking the thunderous 5/6 lane highway of endless congestion below, in sweltering heat. It was a tiny room, with my ol' lady, our two dogs, our cat, two bags, and an ice cooler, for a month and a half.

"Two months after that, as some semblance of order was restored (?), we started jamming as a full band at Nodferatu's Lair. We eventually did a demo of some of the new songs with David 'The Puma' Troia (bad-ass). From there we picked what we felt were the strongest tracks.

"The making of the new DOWN, has been by far the hardest recording process I personally have EVER done, and every other band member concur.

"We are all visionaries, and the battle to refocus, and pull together, is a tale that only long time musicians can tell, or relate to.

"IT WAS A WAR!!!!!!

"However we know we have won that war. Regardless, in November of 2005, I had a triple fusion in my lower back, held together by titanium rods. Since then, from learning how to take my first steps again, through physical therapy (REHAB DYNAMICS!!!), which taught me positive pain, put regiment into my life, and changed a big part within the psychology of myself. There were no time for hangovers anymore. Because, from February on, I was awake at 9:30 a.m., at physical therapy 'till 4:00 p.m., come straight to band practice, which lasted 'till midnight or later/eat/sleep/five nights a week. My workouts became obsessive. I was pushed to limits that astounded myself, the trainers, the surgeon, and most neurosurgery 'experts.' Today, I am a better man. I am hardly limited. I haven't been this strong physically or mentally since I was 23-24 years old. All of this work was for a purpose… the oncoming of the new DOWN."

[muthagoose]

DOWN's PHILIP ANSELMO
Slams Beer-Throwing 'Coward' In Corpus Christi

After reportedly getting "nailed" twice with beers thrown from the crowd, DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo stopped the band's show Thursday night (November 15) in Corpus Christi, Texas to tell the crowd to send him the next "coward" that decides to throw something at him. The audience then ponied up one of the kids that allegedly had thrown one. Watch what happens next in the clip below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkPg-5RWz8U

[muthagoose]

PHILIP ANSELMO's ARSON ANTHEM Preparing To Release Debut

With the current roster of supposed "extreme" or "underground" bands repetitively dishing out modern metal regurgitation, something had to give; enter ARSON ANTHEM, the new project featuring ARSON ANTHEM — the new band featuring Philip Anselmo (DOWN, ex-PANTERA) on guitar, Mike Williams (EYEHATEGOD) on vocals, Hank Williams III (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ASSJACK) on drums and Collin Yeo on bass. Basking in the telepathic glow of filthy, vicious '80s-era punk and hardcore, and yearning for a spark, this improper outfit has finally ignited said spark. Fueled by stale vodka and non-filters, they've finally wrecked into a bare-bones, distorted, bastard vacuum.

After losing everything in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mike Williams moved into Philip's spare apartment. The two spent countless hours listening to Philip's collection of early hardcore bands; the timing was perfect to remedy this cabin fever. They began jamming with III and Collin Yeo, and this proved to be the crowning accession to complete this exploit.

ARSON ANTHEM's mission is to re-introduce the roots of painful amplification, raw production, and a TRUE "fuck-all" attitude to a movement within a new generation that's lost the meaning of less complicated ventures. The byway is to be similar to the original brutality of bands like NEGATIVE APPROACH, POISON IDEA, HELLHAMMER, DISCHARGE and VOID, amongst others. ARSON ANTHEM will never give way to what the societal masses want them to conform to, as by example their previous musical incarnations.

ARSON ANTHEM's debut EP — due on February 19 — will be the first release via Housecore Records; a label created by Anselmo focusing on Phil's side projects and other artists he believes in.

ARSON ANTHEM will team up with RIGOR MORTIS for three shows in December:

Dec. 13 - Exit/In - Nashville, TN
Dec. 14 - Vino's - Little Rock, AR
Dec. 15 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA

Coming in 2008 on Housecore: THE MANSON FAMILY SOUNDTRACK, CHRIST INVERSION, EYEHATEGOD's "Live at CBGB", and much more.

[muthagoose]

PHILIP ANSELMO Talks ARSON ANTHEM

DOWN/ex-PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo recently spoke to MTV.com about his new label, Housecore Records, which will launch with an EP by ARSON ANTHEM, a group that features Anselmo on guitar, EYEHATEGOD singer Mike Williams, bassist Collin Yeo and SUPERJOINT RITUAL bassist Hank Williams III on drums. The group formed after Williams, who lost everything he owned in Hurricane Katrina, moved into Anselmo's spare apartment. They spent hours listening to Anselmo's extensive collection of early hardcore, and before long, they started jamming.

"Obviously Mike and I have a history, from high school, to touring together with EYEHATEGOD opening for PANTERA," Anselmo told MTV.com. "After Hurricane Katrina, I bailed him out of jail and put him up at Nodferatu's Lair . His apartment and everything he owned burned down in the post-Katrina riots. We always wanted to start a hardcore band. III and I were in SUPERJOINT RITUAL together, but I knew he was a drummer from when I first met him when he was in his teens. ... Collin was a young musician, he was in town at the right time, and it all fit perfectly."

[muthagoose]

DOWN Frontman PHILIP ANSELMO
Interviews Middleweight King KELLY PAVLIK

BoxingInsider.com has posted a unique interview between former PANTERA and current DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo and boxing champion Kelly Pavlik.

Anselmo's passion is boxing and one of his favorite practitioners of the sweet science is Pavlik, who dethroned Jermain Taylor by sixth round KO in one of the most exciting fights of 2007. It so happens to be that unbeaten Pavlik is also a big Anselmo and PANTERA fan.

Read the interview at BoxingInsider.com:
www.boxinginsider.com/headlines/kelly-pavlik-qa-by-philip-h-anselmo/

[muthagoose]

PHILIP ANSELMO Reportedly Working On Autobiography

According to a posting on legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin's official web site, Philip Anselmo (DOWN, PANTERA, SUPERJOINT RITUAL) has begun work on his autobiography. Anselmo apparently revealed the news to Halfin this past Sunday (July 27) following DOWN's performance in Istanbul, Turkey as the support act for METALLICA. Ross writes in the "Diary" section of his web site, "I walk to the dressing room and Phil grabs me for a hug while The Snake [SKID ROW guitarist Dave 'Snake' Sabo, who manages DOWN as part of the successful management company McGhee Entertainment headed up by Doc McGhee — Ed.] looks on with jealousy. Phil tells me he's writing a book about his time doing what he does and it'll include his time in PANTERA."

Philip Anselmo revealed in an online post last week that DOWN has recorded at least six new songs for a possible new release which may also include previously unreleased material from the "Over the Under" sessions.