The smoke is rising once again from New Orleans. Down, the legendary supergroup featuring Phil Anselmo, Pepper Keenan, Kirk Windstein, Jimmy Bower, and Pat Bruders, has officially announced their massive "Strap It Down" 2026 North American headlining tour. This marks the band's first significant run in years and follows the news of their recent signing with Nuclear Blast Records.
Supporting the tour will be fellow heavyweights Helmet, making this one of the most anticipated double-bills of the summer. The tour is set to kick off in August, hitting major cities and festivals across the continent. Fans have been clamoring for a full-length follow-up to the IV - Part II EP, and with the band currently in the final stages of recording, this tour feels like the perfect precursor to a new era of sludge dominance.
The Power of the NOLA Sound.
"We're back to doing what we do best—playing heavy music for heavy people," the band stated in a collective release. The tour will also include a special appearance supporting Slayer on select dates, further solidifying Down's place at the top of the heavy metal hierarchy. For those who live for the slow-burn riffs and Anselmo's signature roar, the "Strap It Down" tour is a mandatory pilgrimage.
Tickets go on sale this week, and given the rarity of Down tours, expect them to move fast. The NOLA kings are reclaiming their throne, and the metal world is ready to bow down.
Check the official tour dates below and get ready to burn some rubber.
