Release Review: Down – Down IV – Part II

When the immortal question gets asked, “Pantera or Down, which do you prefer?” I am one of the very few to say Down. As you can tell by recent articles on Down (Nola, Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow, Down III: Over the Under, Down IV – Part I), I love them! This obviously made Down IV – Part II one of the most anticipated releases of the year for me. Considering how well the EP format worked on Down IV – Part I, I was expecting great things for Part II. Starting with the ominous opener ‘Steeple’, which wields dual melancholic Black Sabbath-esque guitar riffs with Phil’s growling over them. After a minute of this, tension builds before the band let loose some classic fast-paced stoner down. Single ‘We Knew Him Well’ is a constant reminder that the band are seriously talented and capable of writing mammoth riffs and songs. Bobby Landgraf is a fine replacement for Kirk Windstein (who has gone to work on Crowbar full time), it’s almost as if Kirk hasn’t left at all. However, this EP certainly is more Sabbath and doom inspired than previous efforts; the guitar and bass work on ‘Conjure’ is pure Sabbath! ‘Sufferer’s Years’ is pure Down while fused [...]