A swift scan through Down's biog on their website actually reveals more about the band than most clichéd summaries about rock bands. For a start, there's a quote from guitarist Kirk Windstein where he estimates around 25% of fans that he meets have a Down tattoo on them somewhere: "Everything up to huge, huge back pieces....". That's dedication right there. Or just plain madness (Down don't have a small logo, but at least it's straightforward).

Then there's the bit where the band celebrate where they live, but hate the usual Southern-rock superlatives and adjectives that usually accompany write-ups and reviews. 'Swamp', 'Blues' 'Bayou' - best not mention them. Otherwise, apart from being comprised of band members from four pretty full-on serious metal and rock outfits, Down are as normal as any tattooed, fearsome, heavy, intense, bearded, hardcore and LOUD Louisiana metal-band can get. Honest.

Formed in New Orleans in the '90s from Pantera, Eyehategod, Crowbar and Corrosion of Conformity, Down have so far issued three full-length albums that kicked off in dramatic style with 1995's 'NOLA' (New Orleans, Louisiana, since you ask), a nod to similar darkness favoured by the likes of Black Sabbath and St Vitus. Two more albums have followed at six-yearly intervals, including the favoured 'Down III: Over The Under'. But for 2012, the band have opted to be a little more prolific and perhaps more adventurous.

Four EPs are due out during the next two years, beginning with an as-yet-untitled set towards the end of the summer. Definitely confirmed is a short UK tour, their first for three years, which includes shows in Manchester on 19th October, Birmingham on 20th and London's Roundhouse on 21st. We will have tickets on sale from Friday 15th June at 9am. Understandably, since the band don't visit too often for headlining gigs, demand is expected to be very high. Prices will start at £17.50.