What The Hell Happened To... 07.21.08: Down - Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow

Posted by Dan Marsicano on 07.21.2008

This week, Dan Marsicano takes a look at an album from metal "supergroup" Down and gets all progressive with a look at an unknown Israel metal band!

The Introduction

Welcome to the 36th edition of What The Hell Happened To (yep, I'm still keeping count). I'm the guy you love to criticize about the dumbest thing, Dan Marsicano.

First things first, I wanted to remind all the readers out there that there is only one week left for the Rush contest 411 Mania is running. We are giving away the video game Rock Band, a signed Rush Lithograph, a Rush T-Shirt, and Snakes & Arrows, both the studio version and the live album recently released. Only at 411 would we be crazy enough to do this and not take it for ourselves, so click here to enter your chance to win the Rush/Rock Band Prize Pack!.

Is it sad that I've been listening to Journey all week? Or is it sadder that I'm actually excited for Scars on Broadway's debut album?

For those unaware, we are starting a new feature at 411 Mania called What's Rockin' In…, where we look at unsigned/independent/unheard-of bands in a certain state. We're going to hit all the states in the United States, and maybe even go overseas, so it's a new ambitious project from 411. Ben Czajkowski is heading up the project and is doing a hell of a job. To check out this week's edition,click here.

We just "hired" a bunch of new writers for the music section. Check them all out; most of them are better writers than I am, so that's a positive.

I know some of you were complaining about the Mid-Year Review and the fact that I am "quoted" as saying that Opeth's Watershed is their "most brutal" album yet. If you actually read my review, I didn't even say that. I said, and I quote, "Some of you may criticize the band for softening their sound a bit, but trust me, parts of Watershed are as brutal as the band has ever gotten." Notice the word parts, as in not the whole album, but just sections. I just wanted to clear that up so people don't start rioting in the streets.

Well, enough of my mini-rants that none of you care about. This week, I'm taking a look at a side project of former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo, Down. Down not only features a member of Pantera, but Corrosion of Conformity and Crowbar are represented as well. The band released their debut album, NOLA, back in 1995, at the height of Pantera's success. Down took an extended hiatus after the release of NOLA for the members to focus on their respected bands. Down reunited in 1999 and began work on new material. In 2002, Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow was released and sold over 100,000 copies, not a number to scoff at; compared to the platinum status of their debut album, however, it was a disappointing figure. Critics bashed it as well, with allmusic.com giving it two out of five stars and fans expressing mixed opinions.

Down II sounds unfocused at times and Anselmo's vocals lack the power and strength that the Pantera albums had. However, there is a certain charm to it that most people seemed to sweep to the side. The metal band is inspired by southern blues, a characteristic that shines throughout Down II. It might have been the month spent in a barn recording the album, or the fact that the band members themselves were more mature and open to progressive ideas, but Down II is as good as NOLA and an album that deserves more recognition than most metal fans are giving it. So this week, I'm going to take a detailed look at the forgotten Down album, Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow.





The Band

Phil Anselmo-Vocals
Pepper Keenan-Guitar
Kirk Windstein-Guitar
Rex Brown-Bass
Jimmy Bower-Drums


The Track Listing

1. Lysergik Funeral Procession-3:10
2. There's Something On My Side-5:21
3. The Man That Follows Hell-4:33
4. Stained Glass Cross-3:37
5. Ghosts Along The Mississippi-5:06
6. Learn From This Mistake-7:14
7. Beautifully Depressed-4:53
8. Where I'm Going-3:11
9. Doobinterlude-1:51
10. New Orleans Is A Dying Whore-4:16
11. The Seed-4:21
12. Lies, I Don't Know What They Say But…-6:21
13. Flambeaux's Jamming With St. Aug-1:00
14. Dog Tired-3:22
15. Landing On The Mountains Of Meggido-7:49


The History

Down was formed in 1991 by vocalist Phil Anselmo (Pantera), guitarist Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity), guitarist Kirk Windstein, bassist Todd Strange (both from Crowbar), and drummer Jimmy Bower (Eyehategod). The "supergroup," who were all best friends, jammed out and released a demo, which got the attention of many metal fans. The band was signed to Elektra Records and released their debut album, NOLA, in 1995.

The album would be a huge success for the band, gaining platinum status (over one million copies sold) by the RIAA. Down went on a quick tour and went into an extended hiatus, in order for the band members to return to their respective bands. In 2001, the band re-united, with Strange leaving and Pantera bassist Rex Brown taking his place. The five members would hold themselves up in a barn outside of New Orleans for one month to create what would be their sophomore effort…


The Analysis

"The power of the riff compels me."

With that shouted line, "The Seed" begins, one of several sludge/groove metal tracks on Down II. Down had members of Crowbar and Corrosion of Conformity in their ranks, so of course, the sound was going to be one that is more in the style of sludge metal. The thing about Down II is that the album transcends beyond the genre, one that incorporates 70's hard rock and Southern rock/blues to show a different side of the band members, especially from one Mr. Phil Anselmo.

In the time period between NOLA and Down II, Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo released two albums of varying success, 1996's The Great Southern Trendkill and 2000's Reinventing The Steel, where his vocals became more intense and more hoarse, losing any bit of melody and soul he had in the band's earlier years. With Down II, Anselmo pulled a few tricks out of his bag, using mostly clean vocals for the first time in years. While not as effective as his soaring, high vocals during the Cowboys From Hell era, they are still poignant, considering all the damage he did during the late 90's from the mix of drugs, drinking, and harsh barks.

The first three tracks on Down II are mid-paced rompers, heavily influenced by Black Sabbath. Personally, I find myself impartial to "The Man That Follows Hell," a foreboding track driven by a heavy-as-fuck melody, solid solo section and depressing lyrics, like these…

"I'm falling far from the sun
Lucifer's calling on ears that need some now
I gave my life to this and it's fooled me oh so well
The name they've given me is a man that follows hell
A man that follows hell"

The album took an unexpected turn with "Stained Glass Cross." All of a sudden, the band turned into a heavier Lynyrd Skynyrd, with the Hammond organ coming out of nowhere, even providing a great solo in the process. It's weird, but engrossing at the same time. Single "Ghosts Along The Mississippi" was one of the best tracks on the album, both catchy and fast as hell. I especially love that opening riff, which blasted out of my speakers like a banshee heading for the dark, rusty, blood-soaked gates of Hell. The highlight of the song is the sped-up tempo at the end of the song, bookended by a quick solo.


("Ghosts Along The Mississippi" Official Music Video)


"Learn From This Mistake" is one of three major epic-length tracks on Down II. The song is slow paced, with a bluesy feel to it brought on by Keenan's and Windstein's guitar work. The solos are fantastic, almost taking up half of the running length of the song. The second epic "Lies, I Don't Know What They Say But…" isn't as good as the other two, taking a long time to build up and reaching a point where it is about to get impactful, but instead sputters to the finish line. This, along with the two pointless instrumentals, were the only places where I feel that the band was unfocused in the songwriting department.

The band still tears it up on the majority of the album, with "New Orleans Is A Dying Whore" and "Dog Tired" being short and to-the-point metal beasts, both showing the vocal range of Anselmo, as he goes from a calm, soothing clean vocal to a bellowing shriek to a growled shout all in the span of 20 seconds.

The high point of the album is when Down experiments with their sound, jamming on acoustic guitars and using instruments such as a timpani (big ass drums) and a farfisa (old ass synthesizer). "Where I'm Going" is one of the most haunting moments on the album, with the acoustic guitars taking center stage to bring a forbidden, lost feeling to the album. Closing epic "Landing On The Mountains Of Meggido" is the ultimate fruit of the band's labor, as the Led Zeppelin-ish track goes through many twists and turns. The song not only had the instruments listed above, but Anselmo's wife at the time, Stephanic Opal, provided vocals and a Rhodes piano slowly played in the background. The song leaves an impact on you long after the album is finished.

Down II is the forgotten album in Down's catalog. Most people are either fans of the debut album or the band's latest album, Down III: Over The Under, but sweep Down II under the rug. Yes, it is not as strong as the other releases in the band's catalog, and some songs drag on ("Lies…") or are entirely meaningless to the rest of the album (both instrumentals). When the band is on fire, as they are numerous times on the album (closing track, one-two punch of "Stained Glass Cross" and "Ghosts Along the Mississippi"), the listener gets a feeling they really are hearing something special. Hell, I would say that Down is probably my favorite metal "supergroup." Down II is not an easy listen at times, but it is one that is rewarding over time and shows that the band was not a one-trick pony.


Who The Hell Is…Orphaned Land?

Official Site: Orphaned Land

MySpace Page: Orphaned Land MySpace


Anybody who knows me knows that I am a fan of progressive rock/metal music. I always try to find new bands that are pushing the envelope and making an effort to stand out in a crowded field. Israel's Orphaned Land might be the band that finally breathes some new life in progressive metal.

Don't get me wrong; they still have many of the characteristics that most progressive metal have. This includes a mix of clean and harsh vocals, heavy keyboard use, and driving guitar work. However, what breaks this band apart is their Middle Eastern heritage and culture, which shines through the band's music.

The band was formed in the early 90's and includes Kobi Farhi on vocals, Yossi Sa'aron (Sassi) on guitar, Matti Svatizky on guitar, Uri Zelcha on bass, and Matan Shmuely on the drums. Orphaned Land has been around for over fifteen years, yet has only released three studio albums. Their latest, 2004's Mabool, was a concept album about religion and the struggle between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

What the band adds into their music is many oriental instruments, which add a Middle Eastern flair to the music. Some may be turned off by the Arabic sound, but I found myself becoming a fan immediately of the band. I respect a band trying to make an impact by utilizing different styles and meshing them together. The band is working with famed musician Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree) on a new album, their first in over four years. For now, check their MySpace out if you are open-minded and in the mood for some progressive metal music. Below you will find a video or two of the band…

(BTW, in case some of you were wondering, they actually do sing in English, but they do mix it up with some Hebrew in a few tracks, like below. Don't let that stop you from enjoying the music...)


("Norra El Norra" Official Music Video)


("The Kiss Of Babylon (The Sins)" Live)
Credit: Brutal Assault


The Conclusion

Well, I hope you all enjoyed the look at Down II. Remember, if you have a band and want to be featured on Who The Hell Is…, shoot me an e-mail and I'll see what I can do.

Next week, I'm continuing the recent streak of doing sophomore albums and I'm looking at The White Stripes' second album, De Stijl. Not only am I highlighting an awesome underrated album next week, but I'm introducing a new way for you 411 readers to have an active involvement in my column. So come back next week for more details on that and a look at another underrated album!