PEPPER KEENAN On DOWN's Upcoming 'Volume V' Album: 'We Really Focused On The Songwriting And Arrangements'

August 26, 2026

In a new interview with Michael Christopher of Vanyaland, DOWN guitarist Pepper Keenan spoke about the band's long-awaited new studio album, "Volume V", which will arrive on November 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. Asked how the new record differs from, or maybe how is it the same as the rest of the DOWN catalog, Pepper responded: "Well, we recorded it closer to the way we did [DOWN's platinum-certified debut album, 1995's] 'NOLA'. And I'm in one speaker and Kirk's [Windstein, DOWN guitarist] in the other. We did one guitar track each. So, it sounds amazing, but it's very simplistic in its approach, almost like [AC/DC's] 'Back In Black'. I'm not saying that's a simple [album], but stripped down. It's not a lot of overdubs. It's straight and to the point. We really focused on the songwriting and arrangements and didn't put a lot of glitz and shit on top of it. I like doing that as well, but it's more straightforward, not necessarily in terms of the songwriting, but in terms of the production. I kind of think the world needed that a little bit, you know?"

Asked how DOWN has evolved to him in terms of what it means, Pepper said: "It's still the same thing, dude. We haven't put any more pressure on ourselves, hence why we do [new music] so rarely. But when we do do 'em, and we're still in a circle, we're still drinking beer and smoking weed and rocking out like we're teenagers. It's still the same thing, the same mentality. I don't think that could ever change. We've known each other for so long. It's just a bunch of metalhead buffoons who grew up in the same neighborhood."

When "Volume V" was first announced earlier in the month, Anselmo said in a statement: "We were all excited about this. There was a sense of lightness in the air. Everyone's attitude was positive. There was more focus than ever. It just felt fresh again. Each one of us was individually striving for something, and I believe we achieved what we wanted to achieve. The record is a journey. It's classic DOWN, but it's also unique."

"Everybody played their asses off, wrote great riffs, and Philip is singing amazing," added Windstein. "There's so much electricity when we get together. To me, it's the same vibe as our debut 'NOLA', but we've got another 35 years of experience as songwriters."

"The five of us are from the same era, grew up together, and accomplished a lot on our own," Keenan observed. "We all sounded different, but we're still from the same 20-block radius. As far as what makes DOWN special, we knew one another before any of us had done anything. There's history."

DOWN's bond runs deep. The guys initially crossed paths as teens in various local bands throughout New Orleans. Over the years, each musician went off and made a name for himself with Anselmo notably fronting PANTERA, Keenan holding down guitar and vocals for CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, Windstein leading CROWBAR, and Bower slinging guitar in EYEHATEGOD.

Two writing sessions yielded the bulk of material on "Volume V". Upholding a tradition dating back to "Down II", the members retreated to Anselmo's home studio and their de facto clubhouse, Nodferatu's Lair. Songs originated on the spot as they jammed face-to-face. Throughout 2025, the music naturally took shape. Keenan and Windstein chose to simultaneously record guitar together, giving the album a timeless punch.

The album opens with a blistering barnburner "The Myth". It sets the tone with a powerhouse vocal, pummeling rhythms, and precise down-picking. Then, there's "Merciful Fate" featuring King Diamond. It reaches an apex with a vocal duel between Anselmo and King Diamond and fret-burning solos executed at a breakneck pace of 120bpm. King's wife Livia Zita even blesses the track with dark accents of her own. Closer "Twice-Told Tales" caps the trip off with a heavy and hypnotic denouement. "It's a conglomerate of tight riffs and blues rock mixed with the diligence of classic metal," Anselmo reveals. "It's an important song to us. I could feel Ozzy Osbourne's influence on me in the strangest way."

Lead single "Blood Oath" is anchored by an alternately hard-hitting and hummable riff, culminating on a clarion call chorus. With a sly tip of the hat to their stomping grounds, it practically bleeds old gold, black, and white.

"Anybody who's from New Orleans is going to get a kick out of the references to the city," grins Anselmo. "Musically, it's got a big hook. It's a DOWN song, but it takes a turn."

"You'll know it's DOWN right off the fucking bat," adds Keenan. "It's heavy in its attack."

"Volume V" track listing:

01. The Myth
02. Merciful Fate
03. Turn Out The Light
04. The Message
05. Causeway Grief
06. Blood Oath
07. They Walk The Night
08. They Came From Dust
09. Ozz
10. Twice-Told Tales

"Volume V" was produced by Eddie Mapp and DOWN, mixed by Dave Fortman, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in California.

DOWN is amid their North American headlining tour with support provided by HELMET and SPIRIT IN THE ROOM. The "Strap It Down" tour commenced in Atlanta, Georgia on August 15 and will close in Shakopee, Minnesota on September 4 with a special performance as direct support to SLAYER. The journey also includes slots on the 2026 installment of Zakk Wylde's Berzerkus Festival featuring LAMB OF GOD, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and others on August 28 in Scranton, Pennsylvania and August 29 in Wantagh, New York.

In October, DOWN will perform at both Aftershock and Sick New World Texas. In December the band will headline day two (December 5) of this year's edition of the Decibel magazine Metal & Beer Fest Denver. The appearance marks the band's first Denver appearance in over twelve years.

In 1991, DOWN's first impromptu jam session yielded a now-legendary demo that made its way around the world. From there, the three-song tape effectively laid the foundation for 1995's platinum-certified "NOLA". Metal Hammer cited the latter as "a rock classic, period," and Stereogum professed, "Our modern understanding of what metal in the Deep South sounds like and means starts with 'NOLA', and we should pay our respects." The band delivered fan favorites such as "Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow" (2002),"Down III: Over The Under" (2007),"Down IV - Part One" (2012) and "Down IV - Part Two" (2014). Each tour proved to be special in its own right. Beyond packing houses on global headline jaunts, the group shared the stage with the likes of METALLICA, HEAVEN & HELL, DANZIG, and MELVINS in addition to igniting festivals such as Aftershock, Louder Than Life, Hellfest and Sick New World. It's no wonder Revolver christened the collective one of the "12 Greatest Supergroups In Hard Rock And Heavy Metal History".