PHILIP ANSELMO On KING DIAMOND's Guest Appearance On New DOWN Album 'Volume V': 'He Really Did Such An Amazing Job'

The latest issue of Fistful Of Metal magazine features an exclusive interview with Philip H. Anselmo and Pepper Keenan of DOWN, as the band prepares to release "Volume V", its first new studio album in twelve years, arriving November 20 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Speaking with Oran O'Beirne, Philip and Pepper discuss the long road to the new album, the chemistry that continues to bring DOWN together, their approach to recording, and the rather special inclusion of King Diamond on the track "Merciful Fate". There are some great insights from both musicians, with Anselmo offering his thoughts on the band's evolution and the creative process behind the new material.

Regarding how King Diamond ended up making a guest appearance on "Volume V", Philip said: "Well, we wrote this song, and during the demo sessions, I just started singing the words 'Merciful Fate' because it fit the section so well. Then I started thinking about it, because what that title implies is exactly what goes on in my mind quite a bit these days: having a nice, peaceful death when the time eventually comes. Later, as the song developed, I sang my part and asked the rest of the band what they thought about the King actually singing on the record, and everyone was for it.

"I've known King for a long, long time, so I reached out to him and then sent over the demo," Philip explained. "He seemed to be thrilled to do it. We waited patiently and went on with mixing the record. And in perfect timing, King delivered his performance and we were all floored.

"There were so many times I really tried to imagine what he'd do over the song, but when I heard the actual real deal, I almost fell over. I was that thrilled. He really did such an amazing job. His wife, Liv [Livia Zita], also killed it on the song, adding some awesome harmonic vocalizations."

Pepper also has some particularly enthusiastic things to say about the King Diamond collaboration, describing the vocal exchange between Philip and King as potentially "one of the best heavy metal moments of the last fifteen or twenty years."

"Volume V" will arrive twelve years after "Down IV - Part II". Asked what he brought into the new album that simply wasn't possible back then, Anselmo replied: "Good question. Probably some better personal-life clarity that comes with years of experience and just plain getting older and maturing, as lame as that is. With that comes less pressure, because with clear vision comes assured musical avenues for DOWN, specifically. We all know what it should sound like."

Anselmo also talked about the possibility of taking DOWN back on the road, saying: "Touring is not a massive part of my personal plans, but I will do what it takes to make sure the guys in the band are happy."

The new issue of Fistful Of Metal magazine is out now and features an in-depth interview the riff master Tony Iommi about his stunning new solo album, BLACK SABBATH and Ozzy Osbourne. The issue also includes DEVILDRIVER, FORBIDDEN, SAXON, AMON AMARTH, CRADLE OF FILTH, SAXON, MOTÖRHEAD and loads more. Pick up your copy via the official online store. The magazine is also available in Barnes & Noble (Canada and U.S.A.) as well as WH Smiths and HMV (U.K.).

"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 recently wrapped up the "Strap It Down" North American headlining tour which concluded with a special performance as direct support to SLAYER in Shakopee, Minnesota. DOWN also played the Aftershock festival last month and headed to Fort Worth, Texas for the Sick New World Texas festival.

In November, the band's official record release show will take place at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana as part of "The Great NOLA Trendkill!" Presented by Housecore Horror, Housecore Records and Live Nation, the special two-day festival will take over the Crescent City on November 20 and November 21 and feature a landmark performance by PANTERA, marking their first show in New Orleans in 30 years, as well as performances by BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, POWER TRIP, CROWBAR, EYEHATEGOD, RĀDE HERAKLEION and PIG DESTROYER.

In December, DOWN 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".

DOWN is:

Philip H. Anselmo - vocals
Pepper Keenan - guitars
Jimmy Bower - drums
Kirk Windstein - guitars
Pat Bruders - bass