Down IV, Part II

Down IV, Part II is the second installment in a planned series of EPs by the New Orleans supergroup Down. Released in 2014, it represents a significant moment in the band's later career, featuring the debut of guitarist Bobby Landgraf, who replaced founding member Kirk Windstein. Despite the lineup change, the EP doubles down on the band's signature sludge metal sound, characterized by the 'NOLA' style of blending Black Sabbath-inspired riffs with Southern blues and hardcore punk aggression. The recording maintains a strictly analog feel, avoiding the polished digital sheen of contemporary metal. Lyrically, the album leans into themes of occultism, mortality, and internal struggle, particularly on the centerpiece 'Conjure.' Critically, the EP was praised for its cohesion and for proving the band's longevity, often cited as a more consistent and heavier effort than its predecessor, Part I.