Down Announce Volume V, Their First Album in 12 Years
The Anselmo/Windstein band's Nuclear Blast release lands November 20 with a King Diamond feature and lead single Blood Oath out now.
Aug 30, 2026
Credit: Nuclear Blast Records (via source)
Down announced Volume V, their first full-length album in twelve years, on August 19, with a November 20 release on Nuclear Blast Records. The New Orleans band � built around Pantera's Philip Anselmo and Crowbar's Kirk Windstein � recorded the ten songs during sessions at Anselmo's home studio, the same setup the band has used since Down II. The album was co-produced by the band with Eddie Mapp, mixed by Dave Fortman and mastered by Maor Appelbaum. Mercyful Fate's King Diamond guests on a track called Merciful Fate, with his wife also appearing on the song. Lead single Blood Oath is out now with an official video. There was a sense of lightness in the air, Anselmo said of the sessions. Windstein added that everybody played their asses off, wrote great riffs.
Why it matters
It's the band's first new album in over a decade, with one of metal's most recognizable rhythm guitar duos back together.
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