DOWN Kicks Off 'Strap It Down' Tour in Atlanta

DOWN, the veteran heavy metal supergroup featuring Philip H. Anselmo, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein, Jimmy Bower, and Pat Bruders, officially launched their "Strap It Down" North American tour on Saturday night. The two-week trek opened at The Eastern in Atlanta, Georgia, with the band joined by guest and support acts HELMET and SPIRIT IN THE ROOM.

The tour schedule takes the quintet across the States until September 2, concluding at the Ramova Theatre in Chicago. Along the way, the band will appear at the 2026 "Berzerkus" festival in Pennsylvania and New York, and will make a notable appearance in Minnesota on September 4 as direct support for SLAYER.

It's been amazing. It really clicked — when we started writing for this new record, it was like we were back in the '90s.

While the touring schedule is in full swing, Windstein has confirmed that the recording for the band's highly anticipated new album is complete. The project, which was self-produced, is currently awaiting a final mix, with Windstein suggesting a release could land around October. The recording process was described as a return to their roots, with the band opting against click tracks to maintain a raw, live feel. "It's real music," Windstein stated, noting that the chemistry during the songwriting sessions felt reminiscent of the era of their debut, "NOLA".

Not all of the new material is original work; the band previously shared a cover of Dr. John's "Right Place, Wrong Time" on streaming platforms earlier this year. Though a covers LP was originally discussed in 2025, the group shifted focus to original material in early 2024 to capture the magic of their long-standing chemistry.