Plunging Tunes

By Alex Olivares

The tracks off Down’s new EP are about as inspired as the title of the album itself, and with a name like Down IV—Part II, that’s not saying a lot. Sludge metal isn’t particularly known for complexity, but there is never a point where the songs reach any sort of cathartic release.

Unlike their full-length debut NOLA, IV shows little diversity in tempo or timing. Even Phil Anselmo’s signature banshee screeching is absent. Down is done.