Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another view, 29 Sep 2007
I go into Down a good few years back when II was released. I was already heavily into Pantera and was really developing my appreciation of earlier and heavier Metal - such as Sabbath, Zeppelin, Kyuss and whatever Wino stuff I could find (Spirit Caravan at the time). Down blew me away. Their style obviously owes a lot to the Sabbath sound, amongst others, but there is no denying that Down imprinted their own impressive style upon the doomy template. Not too long ago Down came over here on a UK tour and the London show was a near religious experience. Needless to say, I was looking forward to this release...
So why then, does a Down album get four stars and not a 5 star 'OMGZ!!!!!' worship session. Simply, this is a good album. Very good. But this is Down and the album does not grab you as immediately as it should. I don't think this is because Down are no longer a special cult band. It's simply that the riffs are not there as much. Three Suns and One Star is a solid opener but it's no Temptation's Wings and still sits behind Lysergic Funeral Procession. There are no Lifers, no Losing Alls and No Ghosts Along the Mississippis.
I believe that Down managed to side-step the 'difficult second album' by making it a massive jam session (possibly why another review described it as overlong). The first album was an underground side-project and the stuff of legends. The second album was awesomely put together and really captured that 'stoner' feel. This third effort, to me, just seems lacking a little in comparison.
Regardless, it is Down doing Down. It is heavy (but not that heavy), it has some very nice lead work and Phil does sound really strong again (and looks well in the inlay, hopefully he's clean again...) Some of the songs are great, On March the Saints and Beneath the Tides impressing me especially at the mo as well as the raucous Pillamyd (best song? probably). I have heard this album's more of a grower, in which case it is far too early to review. However, first impressions, it's a little underwhelming.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Re-invigorating, 25 Sep 2007
Back in my teenage years Down was one of my most prized 'discoveries'. Their first album is an undeniable classic and their second was a decent (if a little over-long) follow up. Since then I've gradually moved away from metal music. When I heard Down III was coming out though, I couldn't resist pre-ordering. And the end result - it's really good; much better than the Down II. The riffs are pretty damn good (for the first time the Crowbar influence really shows in places, but that's ok - Crowbar have great riffs). The singing was the factor most likely to make or break the album and for the main part it's a hit. Although Anselmo sounds a little strained in a couple of places, the decision to sing the whole thing (rather than scream) is a definite plus and in places his voice sounds as good as it did on the first Down album. Definitely not a disappointment.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
UP, UP & OVER, 2 Sep 2007
ITS BEEN OVER 5 VERY LONG YEARS SINCE DOWN II WAS SPAT OUT.WHAT WITH ALL THE WELL DOCUMENTED RECORD CO HASSLES,HURRICANES,ANSELMO'S BACK OP etc, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE THEM GET DOWN(eh,sorry)TO BUSINESS TO COMPLETE THE TRILOGY. I REALLY WASN'T SURE WHAT TO MAKE OF "OVER THE UNDER" WHEN I FIRST STUCK IT ON,THE SONGS WEREN'T QUITE AS INSTANTANEOUSNESS AS II BUT AFTER 5/6 LISTENS HOW WRONG COULD I BE ? COZ FROM THE DEEP RUMBLING & PHIL'S SINISTER WHISPERS OF THE OPENING TRACK "3 SUNS 1 STAR" WHICH OPENS UP INTO A SCORCHING STONER RIFF WITH THE WORDS "the old dog has to learn some new tricks" RIGHT THROUGH TO THE BREEZY BUT SOULFUL "NOTHING IN RETURN (WALK AWAY)" THIS IS ONE HELLUVA THRILL RIDE.MANY TRACKS CARRY ON FROM WHERE A BUSTLE IN IN UR HEDGEROW LEFT OFF, ie THE PATH,N.O.D,ON MARCH THE SAINTS etc, BUT ITS THE STUNNING "BENEATH THE TIDES"(probably a reference to hurricane katrina)& HIS MAJESTY THE DESERT THAT THE THEIR SOUND BROADENS OUT,ANSELMO'S HEARTFELT VOCALS EXCEL HERE.WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MAYBE 1 TRACK THE BORING "NEVER TRY",THIS IS VERY NEARLY A CLASSIC. OTHER TRACKS WORTH MENTIONING ARE "MOURN"(Dimebag R.I.P) & IN THE THRALL... the old dog certainly has learned some new tricks or maybe he's just getting better at the old ones.WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MAYBE HIGH ON FIRE YOUR SO FAR AHEAD OF THE PACK ITS EMBARASSING,RESPECT GUYS & C U ON TOUR
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