DOWN Announce New Album Volume V, Share ‘Blood Oath’ Single and Video
DOWN have announced their new album Volume V, arriving via Nuclear Blast, and shared the first single ‘Blood Oath’ with its official video.
DOWN will release their new studio album, Volume V, on November 20 through Nuclear Blast Records. The New Orleans metal band have also shared the album’s first single, ‘Blood Oath’, alongside an accompanying video.
The record brings together the current DOWN line-up of Philip H. Anselmo on vocals, Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein on guitars, Jimmy Bower on drums and Pat Bruders on bass.
Much of Volume V emerged from two writing sessions at Anselmo’s home studio, Nodferatu’s Lair, with the band developing songs together in the room. According to the release, the material took shape throughout 2025, with Keenan and Windstein recording their guitar parts simultaneously.
Anselmo said the sessions brought a renewed sense of focus to the band.
“We were all excited about this,” he said. “There was a sense of lightness in the air. Everyone’s attitude was positive. There was more focus than ever. It just felt fresh again. Each one of us was individually striving for something, and I believe we achieved what we wanted to achieve. The record is a journey. It’s classic DOWN, but it’s also unique.”
‘Blood Oath’ serves as the first preview of the album. Anselmo said the song includes references to the band’s New Orleans roots, while Keenan described it simply: “You’ll know it’s DOWN right off the fucking bat. It’s heavy in its attack.”
Elsewhere on the record, ‘Merciful Fate’ features a guest appearance from King Diamond, including a vocal exchange with Anselmo. Livia Zita also appears on the track. The 10-song album closes with ‘Twice-Told Tales’.
The full Volume V tracklist is:
- The Myth
- Merciful Fate
- Turn Out The Light
- The Message
- Causeway Grief
- Blood Oath
- They Walk The Night
- They Came From Dust
- Ozz
- Twice-Told Tales
Volume V was produced by Eddie Mapp and DOWN, mixed by Dave Fortman and mastered by Maor Appelbaum. It will be released digitally, on CD and as a double LP, with several vinyl variants planned.
The band also have further US live dates scheduled for 2026. Their itinerary includes a September 4 appearance at Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee, Minnesota with Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies and Hatebreed, followed by appearances at Aftershock in Sacramento on October 3 and Sick New World Texas in Fort Worth on October 24. DOWN are also scheduled to headline the second day of Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest Denver on December 5.
Pre-order or pre-save Volume V here.
Tour and VIP information is available at https://down-nola.com/tour.
