Justin Nuoffer
Down
at Milwaukee Metal Fest
5/16/25 – Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
The fabled New Orleans stoner metal supergroup, Down, made its way to Milwaukee Metal Fest to perform the only Midwest stop of their tour. Forming in 1991, the band built from the ground up, keeping a low profile under the radar for as long as possible. This spirit manifested into what is now the landmark release, NOLA.
Fast-forward thirty years, and they are here in Wisconsin to perform for the Down faithful. It was recently announced that the band signed with Nuclear Blast, and a new album will be released in 2026. So far in the hopper, they have seven tracks completed. Knowing this information only makes this such a highly anticipated performance. The Eagles Ballroom was packed, and the stage was set.
Phil Anselmo stood midstage with his hand clenched firmly around the microphone. Around him, Kirk Windstein and Pepper Keenan are on guitars, with Pat Bruders on bass keeping rhythm with Jim Bower on drums. This is Down, and from the very first note, they were ready to kick some ass.
Opening with “Lysergik Funeral Procession,” the slow, grimy mood gave the Eagles Ballroom crowd a warning to get warmed up. The floorboards started rumbling, and smoke started rising. Focusing mostly on material from NOLA, Down tore through “Lifer” and “Hail The Leaf.” Phil Anselmo was a man possessed. As he stomped around the stage barefoot and with fists swinging through the air, he unleashed hellish screams one after another.
Off to his left, Pepper Keenan slayed with ease. “Riff Lord” engraved on his guitar said it all. Down was in peak form. Song after song, they punished and delivered body blow after body blow. With tracks like “Ghosts of Mississippi,” Pillars of Eternity,” and “Temptation’s Wings,” that classic Southern and early metal sound filled the eardrums. The back half of the setlist didn’t ease up either, especially with “Losing All,” “Stone the Crows,” and “The Seed” all in a row. The Milwaukee crowd took notice and never let the circle pit slow down. The floor was packed and going strong.
Once the band finished up “Eyes of the South” and “Bury Me in Smoke,” the children associated with the band members and friends came out to play the night out. Down was about family and fun, and Milwaukee Metal Fest was clear about that, whether you knew it or not.
Down closed out night one by flexing their muscles and brutalizing the fans, then made it wholesome. The pristine sound blasting from the stage was crisp and concise. No matter where you stood, you heard every note and word. This performance was beyond impressive, and being regionally limited only enhanced how special it was. The band didn’t miss out on that either. It was written all over their faces. The smiles, handshakes, and fist pumps told the story.
Check out the Down concert photo gallery below:
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