To chronicle the past five years leading up to the release of DOWN's new album, III - Over The Under, singer Philip Anselmo will be issuing periodic installments leading up to the release of the record. This is Philip's personal communication to the band's loyal fan base and gives a first hand account of the tragedy, isolation, rebirth and ultimate triumph of one of the most important bands of our time.

The second installment is as follows:

"Hurricane Katrina has been documented over and again, so I can only write about how it effected myself and Down directly. [Pictured is Philip's house in N.O.L.A. three weeks after the storm]

After the mandatory evacuation, every family member, friend, etc. was displaced all over the country for some time.(*3 - read below) Phone lines ripped down, cell phones useless, no communication. I was in a motel in Houston, TX. Overlooking the thunderous 5/6 lane highway of endless congestion below, in sweltering heat. It was a tiny room, with my ol' lady(*4 - read below), our two dogs, our cat, two bags, and an ice cooler, for a month and a half.

Two months after that, as some semblance of order was restored(?), we started jamming as a full band at NODFERATUS' LAIR. We eventually did a demo of some of the new songs with David 'The Puma' Troia (bad ass). From there we picked what we felt were the strongest tracks.

The making of the new Down, has been by far, the hardest recording process I personally have EVER done, and every other band member concurs.

We are all visionaries, and the battle to refocus, and pull together, is a tale that only long time musicians can tell, or relate to.

IT WAS A WAR!!!!!!

However we know we have won that war. Regardless, in November of '05, I had a triple fusion in my lower back, held together by titanium rods. Since then, from learning how to take my first steps again, through physical therapy (REHAB DYNAMICS!!!), which taught me positive pain, put regiment into my life, and changed a big part within the psychology of myself. There was no time for hangovers anymore. Because, from February on, I was awake at 9:30 am / at physical therapy 'til 4pm /come straight to band practice, which lasted 'til midnight or later/eat/sleep/five nights a week. My workouts became obsessive. I was pushed to limits that astounded myself, the trainers, the surgeon, and most neurosurgery 'experts'. Today, I am a better man. I am hardly limited. I haven't been this strong physically or mentally since I was 23/24 years old. All of this work was for a purpose-----

the oncoming of the new DOWN.

3) Hail to the natives of New Orleans who returned and dug through rubble and scraps of their entire lives while also braving distraught memories of what once was.

Also, hail to those that learned an untapped compassion. That life is so much more precious than anything material. To those that rebuilt homes and businesses. You are the true heroes of the Crescent City.

With that written, some people, and those closest to us had absolutely nothing to come back to. With their homes and neighborhoods washed away, they were forced to settle elsewhere. And that is completely understood.

R.I.P. to the countless number of loved ones lost in the Gulf Coast area after the devastation of Katrina. R.I.P. Glenn Rambo (ex-SOILENT GREEN) and his mother. You lived your life your own way, ever since I first met you on the streets in Arabi, LA, when we were 14 years old. You were at every show, you gave me every demo (NUCLEAR CRUCIFIXION/NUN MOLESTERS) from every band you were in, and I still have them all. I treasure them. You were a staple of the N.O. underground scene. Always ahead of the game. Influential. Unique and kind to everyone. You will be missed by everyone who knew you, and still love you.

4) My Lady—whether it be my struggles pre-surgery, Hurricane Katrina, the frustrations of post-surgery, or just living day in and out with my general chaos, you have been a gift. You encouraged me to come to terms with me through love. At my weakest, you are my strength. I've had walls built inside, so tall and solid, that I feared to scale them. You've handed me The Hammer of Thor to break them down. You're the woman I love.

My life partner, I adore you.

Humbly, Philip

P.S. Fill a bucket full"

As previously reported, Down - III - Over The Under will be released September 25th.