Metal supergroup Down is reuniting with original guitarist Kirk Windstein just in time for the 25th anniversary of their debut album ‘NOLA.’
In an interview with Revolver, Windstein said,
“I’m in, 100 percent. The quote from Pepper [Keenan, guitar, Corrosion of Conformity] was, ‘If you ain’t doing it, I ain’t doing it.’ Phil, Pepper and Jimmy [Bower, Drums, Eyehategod/Superjoint Ritual] are my three of my oldest, closest friends, so this is a no-brainer for me.”
Rumors started circulating that Windstein might be joining back up with Down when frontman Philip Anselmo (Pantera) hinted at it during recent interviews.
Windstein left Down in 2013 to focus on his main band, Crowbar, and his family. He was replaced by Honky’s Bobby Landgraf, who will now be stepping down to allow Windstein back in.
The reunion isn’t only for the ‘NOLA’ anniversary. When asked if he was back in the band for good, Windstein told Revolver:
“As far as I know, I’m back in the band. Bobby Landgraf did a fantastic job, and he’s a very good friend of mine. But once again, Down is back to what it started out as, which is a 100 percent complete side project. Everyone’s other bands are the priority and that’s that. But it’s been six and a half years since I jammed with those guys, so I’m excited. It’s gonna be fun.”
Down will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of ‘NOLA’ with several shows in 2020. These include appearances at Belgium’s Graspop Metal Meeting festival and Denmark’s Copenhell festival. These will be the band’s first live shows in four years. The band last played together at Psycho Las Vegas in 2016.
Windstein will be busy in the coming year. In addition to Down, Crowbar announced on Tuesday (17th) that they will be heading out on a North American tour with Sepultura, Sacred Reich and Art of Shock starting in March and running through April. Windstein is also releasing a solo album, titled Dream In Motion, on January 24.
