DOWN – Volume V Review: A Powerful Doom Sludge Return

Somehow, it’s still hard to believe that we actually get to hold this album in our hands. DOWN are undoubtedly among the bands that helped shape the heavy, doom-laden sludge sound, and their debut, NOLA, was a landmark release. After two more very good albums, however, things became noticeably quieter on the release front. With Down IV, their last release is already twelve years behind us. But now it has finally happened: DOWN are back with Volume V, and expectations are running high.

Of course, moments like this can also be dangerous. Expectations can reach the sky, only for the finished product to fall short. That is absolutely not the case with Volume V. This album delivers from the first note to the last. And it’s not just the consistently high quality that makes an impression. At just under an hour, the album also offers plenty of material. Metal fans are getting their money’s worth here.

Things kick off with “The Myth,” the album’s second single and a good indication of what’s to come. Heavy riffs and Anselmo’s vocals are defining elements of DOWN’s sound, and both are front and center here. But DOWN wouldn’t be DOWN without a few twists. A deeper ’70s rock feel emerges midway through the track, adding another layer to the song. These unexpected turns are what set the band apart and have become an essential part of its identity.

“Blood Oath,” the lead single, appears halfway through the record. It starts in a rather restrained fashion, but you can practically feel the heat of Louisiana. As the song gains intensity, that sense of oppressive humidity remains, giving it a doom-laden, slow-motion groove. The lumbering central riff does most of the talking, while the track steadily works its way into your head.

“Merciful Fate” is an interesting one. When I first saw the title, I wondered whether DOWN were paying tribute to the Danish metal legends or whether it was simply a case that the song carries the same name as the iconic metal band. The first falsetto passages quickly settle that question. None other than King Diamond himself provides those unmistakable vocals. His contribution creates a dynamic all of its own, contrasting Anselmo’s rough-edged delivery with the high-pitched screams. Add the dragging riffs, tempo changes and psychedelic opening, and you have one of the album’s standout moments.

“Turn Out the Light” takes a more straightforward approach, bringing sludge and Southern rock together without unnecessary frills. It gets straight to the point. “The Message” follows with a pulsating rhythm that makes it a natural headbanging track. The more time you spend with Volume V, the clearer it becomes that these guys had a damn good time making this record. You can hear it in every riff and melodic line. The band sounds completely in sync, with everyone pulling in the same direction. Phil Anselmo is also in excellent vocal form, which is another major factor in the album’s success.

DOWN have always made room for quieter, more atmospheric moments, and “Causeway Grief” is a fine example. The track radiates sadness and melancholy, gradually building in intensity without abandoning its underlying mood. Cinematic guitar passages meet spacey elements, while Anselmo’s distinctive vocals deliver lines like “Long, long road drives me home” with genuine emotional weight.

“They Walk the Night” is another seven-minute track that demonstrates the band’s musical range. Heavy riffs collide with rock-driven passages, once again capturing the oppressive, paralyzing heat of the South.

“They Came From Dust” stands apart from the other tracks with its more forceful phrasing. Its recurring central motif and riff give the song plenty of weight, while also creating a hypnotic effect.

With “Ozz,” the band shifts into a quieter gear. Acoustic guitars take center stage, revealing the more restrained side of DOWN. Its dense atmosphere and emotional depth bring to mind Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan,” which might also explain the song’s title.

Metal, blues and rock come together on “Twice-Told Tales.” This monumental closer brings together everything DOWN stand for. Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein deliver the massive riffs, while Jimmy Bower and Pat Bruders provide the unmistakable groove that has always been part of the band’s DNA. Anselmo’s vocals are packed with intensity, and the galloping riffing pulls you right into the song’s spell.

Volume V marks the powerful return of a band with a sound entirely its own. In terms of its importance, this record deserves to stand alongside the debut, NOLA. This time, however, it’s the variety and wealth of musical ideas that give Volume V its special place in DOWN’s history. This is an album you need to hear – an album of the year candidate.