by Andrew Bohardt

Created on: September 24, 2010

Perhaps best known for their work with other bands, members of the hard/southern/bluesy rock supergroup Down decided to form, play a few shows and record a few demos in 1991 before rejoining their primary bands at the time.

In the nearly 20 years since, Down has become the primary focus of Phil Anselmo (of Pantera fame), Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity), Kirk Windstein (Crowbar), Rex Brown (Pantera - replaced Todd Strange in 1999) and Jimmy Bower (Eyehategod), as the quintet has released three solid albums of southern superiority.

Although Down's initial stint was brief, the power and talent of all five band members attracted the likes of Elektra Records, who eventually signed the band and put out its debut effort, "NOLA (which stands for New Orleans, Louisiana, where the band is from)," in 1995. The album, although considered a one-off side project at the time, featured some of Down's greatest tunes (Stone the Crow, Temptation's Wings, Lifer), making it a universal hit with critics and fans alike.

Down toured briefly in support of "NOLA," but the band members soon returned to their respective bands, as Pantera, COC and Crowbar were all arguably at the peak of their careers.

Seven years later, however, Pantera had called it a day and COC was in the midst of a hiatus, so Down - now with Brown on bass - reformed and recorded "Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow." The album, reportedly recorded in 28 days filled with alcohol and drugs, was not as well received as the band's first effort, but it still spawned the classics Ghosts Along the Mississippi and Beautifully Depressed.

The supporting tour was again brief before the guys went back to other projects, forcing fans to wait four more years for the band's third resurrection.

The third time appears to be the charm.

Down once again hit the studio in 2006, and after a year of writing and recording, the band released "Down III: Over the Under" in 2007. The album, which features several trying topics such as Hurricane Katrina and "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott's (guitarist for Pantera) murder, was seen largely as a return to form, as the band's tight sound spawned songs such as On March the Saints, Mourn and Never Try.

With other Anselmo side projects gone by the wayside, and all four of his bandmates on board, Down appears here to stay this time, as all five guys have said recently that Down is now their primary focus.

Actions are proving this to be true, as Down is set to release its first live DVD, as well as go back into the studio to record "Down IV," which will likely be released in 2011.

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