DOWN fans might finally be able to circle a date, according to guitarist Kirk Windstein, the band’s long awaited new album is targeting a release window around September 2026.
Speaking on the Pod Scum podcast with “Reckless” Rexx Ruger, Windstein confirmed that new DOWN material is expected next year, though timing is being carefully managed around label schedules.
“Yes. Later than sooner, but I don’t really see why it can’t get out, say, by September, around September-ish,” Windstein said.
DOWN are now signed to Nuclear Blast Records, the same label releasing a new album from Corrosion Of Conformity, the main band of DOWN guitarist Pepper Keenan, in April 2026.
Windstein explained that spacing those releases is a priority.
“We can’t put DOWN, even if it’s ready, we can’t put it out too close to that,” he said. “But C.O.C. needs to come out and let everybody get blown away for a good bit. And when the water settles a little bit, we f**king give ’em a double whammy and throw out the DOWN.”
Earlier this year, Windstein told The Jasta Show that guitar recording was scheduled to be completed in November, with vocals being handled by Philip H. Anselmo at his home studio.
“But it’s 10 tracks, [and] he’s got great ideas on all of ’em,” Windstein said. “It’s really gonna be a killer, killer record.”
The album originally began life as a proposed covers LP before the band pivoted to writing original material in early 2024, Windstein said the decision came down to chemistry and efficiency.
“In the time it’s gonna take us to learn all these f**king things… we could probably write originals,” he explained.
He also detailed the band’s stripped back, live first recording approach, with guitars tracked together and no click tracks involved.
“DOWN’s one of the few bands… we don’t do click tracks and fix sh*t. It’s real music.”
Windstein has been clear that expectations are high, even if outcomes are unpredictable.
“It’s either gonna totally be this huge thing or just flop,” he said. “But if you’re a DOWN fan, I don’t see how you can not like it.”
DOWN officially signed with Nuclear Blast earlier this year, with the label calling 2026 the beginning of the band’s long-overdue return.
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