Traduza\\ DOWN Named 'Best Heavy Metal' At BIG EASY AWARDS

DOWN — the acclaimed New Orleans band featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, drummer Jimmy Bower (EYEHATEGOD, SUPERJOINT RITUAL guitarist), bassist Rex Brown (ex-PANTERA), guitarist Kirk Windstein (CROWBAR), and vocalist Philip Anselmo (SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ex-PANTERA) — was honored in the "Best Heavy Metal" category at the Big Easy Awards, which was held Monday night (April 19) at Sugar Mill in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Big Easy Awards recognize achievement in local music and theater from 2009.

A couple of photos from the ceremony can be viewed below.

DOWN's "movie" "Diary Of A Mad Band" has been delayed "due to recent legal issues" and is now expected to surface later this spring. The set will feature footage of DOWN members "tearing up Europe" — literally and figuratively — on their first European tour. This special DVD/CD collection contains over 130 minutes of live video material and a full, never-before-released concert. (Note: The CD is different from the DVD.)

DOWN bassist Rex Brown has fully recuperated from his fight with pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas which can have severe complications and high mortality despite treatment. He said in a statement, "After two major surgeries to close out 2009, I have recovered from pancreatitis and I'm looking forward to getting back to work with DOWN."

Brown and his DOWN bandmates are expected to reconvene in New Orleans soon to begin work on a new album. With a release date yet to be announced, the new CD will be the band's fourth studio offering.