PHILIP ANSELMO Says New DOWN EP Has Classic BLACK SABBATH Vibe

On December 11, John Doan of MusicFrenzy.net conducted an interview with former PANTERA and current DOWN vocalist Philip Anselmo. You can now listen to the chat at this location. A couple of excerpts follow.

On the progress of the recording sessions for the new DOWN EP:

Anselmo: "As it sits right now, I think I am 95 to 98 percent finished with all the vocals. I think we start guitar solos on [December] 16th. So we're getting close, man. And once we get those solos down and stuff like that, I guess we'll be mixing, and as I predicted way earlier in the year, I think this fucking EP ought to be finished and ready to go by the first quarter of next year."

On the musical direction of the new DOWN EP:

Anselmo: "The way I've been feeling about it is BLACK SABBATH, man, and if it ain't BLACK SABBATH, it's… it really kind of yanks me back to old heavy metal in the SABBATH vein, like the WITCHFINDER GENERALs and SAINT VITUS-type bands of the very early '80s. It just takes me back to that, man, and that's the vibe I've been feeling on this thing the whole time, so… SABBATH, man. SABBATH and the whole old SABBATH imitation. And really, that's what DOWN is founded on — BLACK SABBATH and bands that were influenced by BLACK SABBATH later on in the game, like WITCHFINDER GENERAL and SAINT VITUS."

On the departure of DOWN guitarist Kirk Windstein:

Anselmo: "I think it was a case of him really wanting to be in sole control of his destiny and his life and CROWBAR. He's got this massive love for CROWBAR, like we all do here, and we support each other. You know, it was a mutual thing, and I totally understood where he was coming from. See, he's the type of guy who likes to go on tour, no days off, and just burn through a 30-day tour and come back home and chill out, whereas DOWN will do three, four shows in a row and have a day off. He has a tough time with the days off on the road. So anything to uncomplicate his life and ours at the same time, and whatever is best for the brotherhood first and foremost. Don't get me wrong… This is, once again, a very mutual breakup, so to speak. We are still, and always will be, great, great, great friends. It happens, man. But we have Bobby Landgraf, the guitar player for HONKY, who has also been with us roadieing and guitar teching for many, many years. And he's filling in real, real fucking great. Actually, whenever you have some new blood in the band, it's always kind of inspiring, especially if they're great players, like Bobby is. So Bobby recorded with us on this new one. Yeah, man, we're going full steam ahead regardless. And it's a smooth transition, man. Kirk even stepped in and showed Bobby some finer points and this and that. So, once again, we're all getting along fine. It's just a matter of personal preference."