Down's debut album Nola can in my opinion only be described as a masterpiece, so I was really looking forward to their second release, even more so because it took them 7 entire years to do it.
I'm glad to say that the band, still consisting out of Pantera, Crowbar & Corrosion of Conformity members easily manages to fulfill my expectations by delivering an excellent rock album, which, in due time will probably be considered as much a classic as their first one.
The biggest change musically is the fact that, while Nola sounded very energetic and aggressive at times, this one seems to be a lot more laid-back and groove-orientated making for a much warmer & bluesy sound, with a lot of references to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.
From the 15 songs on offer here, 2 are small interludes (DoobInterlude & Flambeaux), while the rest seems to be about evenly divided between heavy grooving rock-tracks and more bluesy, balladesque material with a southern touch. It has to be said though that the first half of the album is the most interesting, with such killer tracks as There's Something On My Side, The Man That Follows Hell & Ghosts along the Mississippi, all of which can be considered personal favorites of mine, together with New Orleans Is A Dying Whore (gotta love that title) & Landing On the Mountains Of Meggido.
A final note must go to Phil Anselmo, who shows that he can sing with a lot more feeling and variation than he ever did (or will do) on the Pantera albums, delivering what probably is his most outstanding vocal performance so far.
I'd advise anyone to go and check this killer band out as it definitely has something special and unique about it. Superb album, now let us hope that there won't be another 7 years between this and their next one.