Down IV Part I - The Purple EP

Down | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: DOWN RECORDS
• ASIN: B008MZPVP4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,150 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Levitation

2. Witchtripper

3. Open Coffins

4. The Curse Is A Lie

5. This Work Is Timeless

6. Misfortune Teller

Editorial Reviews

Hard rock pioneers Down present their first new studio tracks in 5 years. The aptly titled EP One is the first in a series of four EP's planned for release, and marks the band's first studio release since 2007's Down III: Over the Under. Hailing from New Orleans, Down features Philip Anselmo, PepperKeenan, Kirk Windstein and Jimmy Bowery. Down's ground breaking music combines elements of Black Sabbath, Lynyrd Skynyrd, andeverything in between, setting them apart from anything in the market today.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Down IV Begins September 18, 2012

By J. Hill TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

As Phil and Co. have stated, "The Purple EP" will be the first of four, each to highlight a different element of the band's sound. This is officially supposed to be the "heavy" one, sparking a buzz (so to speak) with Down fans. All six songs are intended to concentrate on the more in-your-face, upbeat, energetic side of Down.

For this reason, some are comparing it to NOLA. That's not a bad comparison, but I'm hearing a little of everything that makes Down heavy. The first track, Levitation, starts with a slow, doomy crawl, before shifting into an up-tempo metal vibe reminiscent of Down II. Next, Witchtripper steps up the pace with a Sabbath-inspired headbanger that could've been on NOLA. Track three, Open Coffins, gets slower, with a mix of doom and bluesy metal that would fit on any Down album. The Curse Is A Lie continues in similar fashion, with plenty of Iommi-like riffs, some that crunch and others that soar, but with an underpinning of mid-paced doom. This Work Is Timeless is a true Down stomper; short, sweet, and full of muscle. The last song, Misfortune Teller is a seven-minute epic spanning nearly every aspect of Down's metal roots. It's a powerful way to end the first installment of Down IV.

In the vocal department, Phil sounds like Phil. He hasn't varied too much on any release aside from dropping the screams that characterized NOLA, and you won't hear many on this. On Down III, I thought he sounded a little thin, like he'd lost some of the power behind his singing voice. On this EP, he sounds more like he did on Down II. The bellow is there, as well as the nuance Phil has always injected, making him one of metal's most compelling vocalists. Basically, getting this EP is a no-brainer if you like Down, doom, sludge, heavy rock, or metal. You really can't go wrong with these guys.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sludge blues and the lyrics. September 25, 2012

By Aaron J.K.

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

The sludge blues sound is perfected on this record for the second time in down's career. What im saying is that they were one thing when they perfected it with NOLA but now they're something different. a slight reinvention.
So the bass is great, sad to see Rex gone but replacement Pat Bruders might be even bigger shoes to fill if he ever leaves. Maybe. What I really enjoy on this new EP is the lyrics. Phil is on another level. A new level, if you will. Every riff on this slab is fantastic and oozing with blue sludge. Blue sludge to represent blues and sludge metal. hahaha anyway, I just think if youre a Down fan you wont regret buying this. It's killer.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Down IV September 18, 2012

By esthomas

Format:Audio CD

Ever since I saw an interview months ago from Kirk Windstein about the plans for doing several ep's I have been anxiously awaiting this release. For those who do not know this is part 1 of a set of 4 ep's the band will be releasing over the next year. With that being said, here is what you need to know.

This ep contains six tracks and the total running time is around 33 minutes. The songs on this release seem to be a little more doom then on previous releases however they still keep the signature sound that the band is known for. Also, the sound quality on this was a little unexpected. I wouldn't say it's full dynamic range or anything however the volume is not as high as what so many other releases are. The music sounds warm and full.

If you are a fan of Down, there is no reason not to buy this. Each song on this album is awesome in every way. There is no filler on this album.

Buy It