Artist: Down Title: “Over The Under” Label: Down Records Release Date: 9/25/2007 Genre: Southern Sludge/Heavy Groove Rock Rating: 4/5
It’s great when a band that first starts out as a side project becomes something special in its own right and such is the case for that group of Southern Fried Doom Metallers – Down. The last we heard from them was on 2002’s “A Bustle In Your Headgerow” and based on the album preceding that one, the group seems to join forces every five years or so. If for some reason you don’t know much about the band let’s get that out of the way first for on lead vocals we have Phil Anselmo, Kirk Windstein & Pepper Keenan on guitars, while Rex Brown handles bass over Jimmy Bowers drums. If you are schooled in that which is Metal then you already know the bands that these guys originate from but I will remind you by saying that Down is a united force of ideas that propelled the bands Pantera, Superjoint Ritual, Crowbar, Corrosion Of Conformity and Eyehategod into the Metal record books. Together all of these ideas meld and blend into a crushing groove that is born in anger and despair while offering up respectful riffs to legendary Stoner Doom sounds of the past. There is more than a tip of the hat to the likes of Black Sabbath but there is also a Southern fried twist to a lot of what’s going on as well. Together this makes the bands third outing a step up from the rest and ahead of anything that is calling itself the savior of the Doom Metal movement. Continue reading “Over The Under” by Down→
Artist: Pantera Title: “3 Vulgar Videos From Hell” Label: Rhino Records/WEA Release Date: 4/4/2006 Genre: Heavy Metal Rating: 8/10
Pantera’s fans will rejoice when they get their hands on this double DVD set that features the 3 VHS releases from the 1990’s. Originally released individually as “Cowboys From Hell”, “Vulgar Videos” and “3”; this set gives you the whole gamut from the bands early days on two convenient DVD’s. It’s a great way to remember the power that this band held in their hands from the start. Albums such as “Cowboys From Hell”, “Vulgar Display Of Power” and “Far Beyond Driven” were some of the most head-banging material to be presented to the Metal community. It was very quick that Pantera grabbed the throat of the fans and showed them a new level of brutality that did not suffer in technical ability thanks to the Brothers Vinny Paul and Dimebag Darrell. The duo were continually bringing fresh Metal ideas to the table and while Vinny’s drumming was among the most solid to come around in awhile, Dime’s level of guitar wizardry would set him on a path to being referred to as one of the greatest that the genre would ever encounter. Front man Philip Anselmo was also someone who should not be taken lightly, as his sheer intensity during the songs and on the stage took the role of lead singer to a new level. He was a tougher and more in your face type and that worked with the music of Pantera very well. I was an early fan of the band and I enjoyed the albums I hold close to my Metal heart the most being the ones represented on this package. Songs like “Cemetery Gates” and “This Love” are still among my favorite Metal songs of all. Continue reading “3 Vulgar Videos From Hell” by Pantera→
As far as concerts go, it would seem that if you were a heavy metal music fan and chose to miss these years Ozzfest for any reason that you were doing yourself a great injustice. This years Ozzfest would prove to be the one with perhaps the best lineup of all time for when it was at the planning stages it seemed as though each act was getting better and better upon the announcement. The Main Stage bands listed were Black Label Society, Superjoint Ritual, Dimmu Borgir, Slayer, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath. The second stage bands were also very good this time around, mixing some new and some staple acts. Among this list were Slipknot, Hatebreed, Lamb of God and Lacuna Coil and Otep. Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne’s “Ozzfest” @ Jones Beach Theater (7/14/2004)→
