DOWN‘s latest EP, “Down IV Part I – The Purple EP”, will be released on purple vinyl on February 26.

“Down IV Part I” sold 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart.

“Down IV Part I – The Purple EP”, DOWN‘s first in a series of four EPs to be released over the next few years (with a year between EPs), each touching on a different aspect of the band’s sound, came out on September 18, 2012.

“Down IV Part I – The Purple EP” heralds the sound of DOWN going back to its roots, with influences from BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS and WITCHFINDER GENERAL.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Levitation
02. Witchtripper
03. Open Coffins
04. The Curse Is A Lie
05. This Work Is Timeless
06. Misfortune Teller

Lyrically, the EP goes beyond just personal experiences, and explores themes that include the faith of mankind, the imperfection of mankind and cultural belief systems.

DOWN gives me the platform to be poetic and paint imagery with lyrics,” said vocalist Philip Anselmo. “That’s the approach I took. They complement the music and create an ominous feeling. Ultimately, when people consume the words, it’s always their interpretation that matters. I could be image-conscious though when I wrote. It’s not so gut level or street. The darker shit is some of my favorite.”

DOWN will perform a handful of headline dates this May. Kicking things off on May 23 in Birmingham, Alabama, the band will stop in seven cities in the Southeast, including Baltimore’s Maryland Deathfest, and wrap things up with a hometown show in New Orleans on May 31. Tickets go on sale to the general public on February 16 and include VIP packages with opportunities to meet the band and hang out at soundcheck.

The dates are as follows:

May 23 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
May 24 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
May 25 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar – Maryland Deathfest
May 27 – Augusta, GA – Sky City
May 28 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
May 31 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues


Source: www.blabbermouth.net