Work on the long-awaited new studio album from NOLA supergroup Down is nearing completion, with guitarist Kirk Windstein confirming that the band is entering the final stages of production.
Speaking in a new interview on “The Jasta Show” with Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, Windstein revealed that the instrumental foundation—drums, bass, and rhythm guitars—is largely complete, with final lead guitar work scheduled for this month.
“We kind of got it set up for Pepper [Keenan] and I to finish all the guitars in November,” Windstein told Jasta. “He doesn’t get home till October 27th or something, and we [in Crowbar] do the [Headbangers] Boat, but we’re home. We’ll be home on the 5th of November, so I’m pretty much ready. Give me two or three days, and we’ll start knocking out guitar.”
While Windstein and Keenan finalize the guitars at a separate studio, vocalist Philip H. Anselmo is tackling his parts at his personal home studio. According to Windstein, Anselmo is looking to capitalize on the vocal conditioning built up during the recent Pantera tour.
“[Phil‘s] already got it all written and planned out. Drums and bass are done, rhythm guitars are done,” Windstein explained. “And he goes, ‘I guess I oughta just knock it out while my pipes are good,’ because that Pantera/Amon Amarth [tour] was long… And I said, ‘Yeah, dude, just go for it while you’re feeling good.’ I mean, he can do it on his own schedule, his own pace.”
The upcoming record will feature 10 tracks. Windstein expressed high confidence in the material, noting that for established followers of the band, the album delivers exactly what is expected.
“It’s 10 tracks, [and] he’s got great ideas on all of ’em. It’s really gonna be a killer, killer record,” Windstein said. “It’s either gonna totally be this huge thing or just flop. But if you’re a Down fan, I don’t see how you can not like it.”
Photo by MetalDave Media
