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PEPPER KEENAN Says DOWN Will Begin Recording New EP Next Week

On October 1, Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas conducted an interview with DOWNguitarist Pepper Keenan for the "Metal Hammer" radio show on TeamRock Radio. You can listen to the chat using the SoundCloud player below. DOWN will enter singer Philip Anselmo's New Orleans studio, Nodferatu's Lair, on Monday, October 7 to begin recording a new EP that is tentatively due in early 2014. Speaking about the band's new material, Pepper said: "It's kind of slight continuation of the first EP, but it's a little bit more… It's hard to say, man… It's more… I wouldn't say 'aggressive,' but it's definitely got some freaky guitar stuff on it. And it's definitely got a pretty good groove factor. And we spent a lot of time trying to make all the songs [fit together stylistically]. We had several songs that didn't quite match it, so we kind of [set them aside] and we're gonna move them to another EP. But it's got a super-heavy vibe to it, man. I mean, I'm really excited about it. Everybody in the band is excited about it." He continued: "We wrote it kind of like we did the 'NOLA' record. Each one of us had some riffs and we got in a room and we just hashed it out like the old days — just going off each person's experiences and ideas. Everybody's ideas were valid, and it really ended up being well rounded and slamming. It was [a] very creative [process], let's put it that way. Actually, it was surprising some of us how much we really still got it." Pepper also spoke about the cover theme for the next DOWN EP and how it will be connected to last year's "Down IV Part I - The Purple EP". "When the second [EP] comes out, you'll see it as being an extension of the last cover,"Pepper said. "So number 2 is gonna connect sideways to number 1, and you'll start to see a morphing kind of process. There's some kind of liquid light kind of thing that's kind of melding across as you go… I hate to quote the overall color, but I believe it's something like orange. I haven't looked at it in a while. It might not be orange yet, but it's heading in that direction."

Guitarist KIRK WINDSTEIN Exits DOWN

Guitarist Kirk Windstein appears to have exited DOWN in order to focus "100%" on his other band, CROWBAR. Windstein is not taking part in the songwriting sessions for the next DOWNEP and is being replaced in that band by longtime DOWN stage manager and HONKY founding guitarist Bobby Landgraf. Writing on Facebook, Windstein said: "For months now, I have been posting that I am concentrating on CROWBAR 100% FULL TIME… "2014 marks the 25th anniversary of CROWBAR and it's a great feeling to put my heart and soul into something that I created so long ago. "We are entering the studio on December 16 to record our 10th full-length record. Look for a late spring release on eOne. "See y'all on the road with CROWBAR!!!" Added Landgraf in a separate posting: "Feeling very lucky to have this gig with DOWN. It wouldn't be the same without Kirk Windstein's blessing. He is Riff Lord and the newCROWBAR will be amazing." DOWN bassist Pat Bruders recently left CROWBAR and was replaced in the latter band byJeff Golden. Said Windstein in a new Facebook posting: "I will say it again… With my decision months ago to focus 100% on CROWBAR, Pat resigned as our bassist, and I respect his decision because it's impossible to give 100% to two bands. I am giving my ALL to CROWBAR as he is giving his ALL to DOWN. There is no animosity… no drama… Just great music being written by all, and that sounds pretty awesome to me!"

SERJ TANKIAN: ‘We Have Not Yet Agreed On A Timetable’ For New SYSTEM OF A DOWN Album

SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian has once again shot down reports that the band is making plans to make a new studio album. At the conclusion of the group's concert this past Monday night (July 29) at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, SYSTEM OF A DOWNdrummer John Dolmayan announced that the band's next appearance at the venue will be to promote a new studio CD. "Next time we come back here, we'll have a new fucking album!"Dolmayan told the crowd after the final song of SYSTEM OF A DOWN's set, "Sugar". While answering questions in a Reddit Ask Me Anything session earlier today (Wednesday, July 31), Tankian was asked if any progress has been made with regards to SYSTEM OF A DOWN's return to the studio.

PHILIP ANSELMO: ‘I Feel Very Blessed To Have Had Such A Great, Insane Fanbase’

Steel For Brains recently conducted an interview with former PANTERA and current DOWN singer Philip Anselmo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below. Steel For Brains: From the moment you knew this was what you wanted to — where you knew music was a part of your heart and soul — what's that journey been like for you up to this point? Anselmo: You know, honestly, I think if you look at anybody's life, everybody's gonna have ups and downs, highs, lows, etc., and all of that. Believe me, it's well documented that I've been there, and that is absolutely the case. But, right now…at this juncture in my career, I gotta say, you know, aside from the obvious lows that have been, once again, well documented in the past and very well known, right now I'm at a very sturdy place. I'm in a very comfortable-in-my-skin place, and I feel very, very blessed to have had such a great, insane fanbase. No matter what fucking band it's been a part of. It's the fans really,

PHILIP ANSELMO: ‘Bedridden’ Video Released

Philip Anselmo, legendary frontman of PANTERA and DOWN, will release his career-first solo album, "Walk Through Exits Only", on July 16 via his own Housecore Records (MRI/Megaforce). "Walk Through Exits Only"will be available digitally, on CD and on vinyl. Produced by Anselmo and Michael Thompson, and recorded over the past couple of years at Philip's New Orleans studio, Nodferatu's Lair, with his band THE ILLEGALS — guitarist Marzi Montazeri(ex-SUPERJOINT RITUAL) and drummer José Manuel Gonzales(WARBEAST) — "Walk Through Exits Only" is abrasive, aggressive, anthemic and 100% Anselmo. The album's eight songs are as unstrained as it gets, from "Battalion Of Zero" to "Usurper's Bastard Rant", to the album's title track that goes against the grain and right through the exits. Brash, brutal guitars cut through punishing percussion as Anselmoscreams with uncompromising ferocity and uncontainable fire. "Walk Through Exits Only" track listing: 01. Music Media Is My Whore

Report: Slayer + Support Acts – Athens, Greece

It was 1st of July. A new festival that we truly hope and wish to be established and continue in the future was about to begin. By arriving at Plateia Nerou where the festival took place, I got amazed by the wonderful sea-side place having the historically Averof ship in the background just opposite from the live-stage. Definitely one of the most beautiful places for an open-air festival that I have been before! But let’s get to the chase! When we arrived Kvelertak were already on stage and we should have missed the first two tracks. If you read Metalpaths.com you definitely know our sympathy for the Norwegian. Second time in Greece, they had enough audience and gave their best to rock the fuck out under the hot sun. Erlend was plowing the stage up and down spitting his guts out in every song while he also didn’t afraid to do stage-diving! Playing songs from both their two albums they had overall a good appearance with only negatives the sun and the not that good sound. It’s time for Napalm Death to hit the stage and the British need no introductions. I was really expecting their appearance cause I haven’t seen them before (how the fuck did that happen?). However I couldn’t enjoy the show and unfortunately I can’t even describe it because I would injustice the Napalms. It started to blow and that had as a result a really bad sound which in comparison with some technical problems

SERJ TANKIAN On New SYSTEM OF A DOWN Album: ‘It’s Not Something I Can Do Right Now’

SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian spoke to ARTISTdirect about the band's current status, including its continued lack of new music. "Of course, we have a lot of fans and people interested in getting a record sooner rather than later," Serj said. "Things take time though. Everyone has a life and has to have the right frame of mind to make a record at the same time… I've been touring with SYSTEM, The FCC, and orchestras around the world. I haven't stopped. There hasn't been much time off. I want to make sure I have time for myself and my family." He continued: "Only the four of us can decide what SYSTEM means. I know the fans agree that's what SYSTEM is, and that's amazing.

PHILIP ANSELMO: Another New Solo Track Available For Streaming

Philip Anselmo, legendary frontman of PANTERA and DOWN, will release his career-first solo album, "Walk Through Exits Only", on July 16 via his own Housecore Records (MRI/Megaforce). "Walk Through Exits Only"will be available digitally, on CD and on vinyl. Produced by Anselmo and Michael Thompson, and recorded over the past couple of years at Philip's New Orleans studio, Nodferatu's Lair, with his band THE ILLEGALS — guitarist Marzi Montazeri (ex-SUPERJOINT RITUAL) and drummer José Manuel Gonzales (WARBEAST) — "Walk Through Exits Only" is abrasive, aggressive, anthemic and 100% Anselmo. The album's eight songs are as unstrained as it gets, from "Battalion Of Zero" to "Usurper's Bastard Rant", to the album's title track that goes against the grain and right through the exits. Brash, brutal guitars cut through punishing percussion as Anselmo screams with uncompromising ferocity and uncontainable fire.