San Antonio Witnesses a Heavy Metal Masterclass
Down stormed into The Aztec Theatre last night, delivering a sonic onslaught that left San Antonio’s metalheads in awe. Led by the legendary Phil Anselmo and Kirk Windstein, the band brought their signature blend of sludgy, Southern-fried metal, captivating an audience hungry for crushing riffs and raw energy. With special guests The Dover Brothers and Nest igniting the night with their electrifying performances, the crowd was primed for an evening of pure, unrelenting metal.
With bone-crushing riffs, ferocious vocals, and a deep connection between band and audience, Down proved why they remain one of the most revered acts in heavy metal. The chemistry between Anselmo and Windstein was undeniable, their shared vocals creating an electrifying dynamic that kept the crowd engaged and screaming along all night. Each band brought their own unique energy to the stage, building up to a climax that left the audience in a state of metal-fueled euphoria.
THE DOVER BROTHERS
Kicking off the night with an explosion of raw, unfiltered energy, The Dover Brothers wasted no time in grabbing the crowd’s attention. Their sound, a fiery mix of Southern rock and heavy metal, resonated through The Aztec Theatre as they unleashed a set packed with thick guitar riffs, wailing solos, and pounding drums. The crowd, initially warming up, quickly found themselves headbanging along to their infectious grooves.
Vocalist and guitarist Calvin Dover commanded the stage with gritty, passionate vocals that cut through the thick wall of sound, bringing a sense of urgency to each song. Meanwhile, bassist Joiner Dover shredded through intricate notes with effortless precision, while the rhythm section Joey Gonzalez laid down a thunderous foundation.
Despite being an opening act, The Dover Brothers performed with the confidence and presence of a headlining band. Their set was a perfect start to the night, lighting the fuse for the chaos that would soon unfold with Nest and, ultimately, Down.
NEST
Following The Dover Brothers, Nest took the stage and immediately shifted the atmosphere into something darker, heavier, and more ominous. The Texas-based metal act brought a crushing blend of doom and sludge that felt tailor-made for the night. From the opening notes of “Packaged Sweets,” it was clear that Nest was here to pummel the audience with their thick, down-tuned guitars, rumbling basslines, and cavernous drum beats.
Frontman John Jarvi’s guttural vocals echoed through the venue, each lyric dripping with intensity. His stage presence was commanding, leading the charge into a set that felt like a slow-burning descent into madness. Tracks like “Fall Guy” and “What’s The Issue” were sonic onslaughts, featuring drawn-out, sludgy passages that built tension before erupting into ferocious crescendos.
Nest had a way of making the audience feel every note, every drum hit, every growl in their bones. Their set was hypnotic yet utterly punishing, keeping the crowd locked into a trance of slow headbanging and fists raised in unison. Closing with “Gone,” a mammoth of a track, Nest left an undeniable impact on the audience. Their performance was the perfect bridge between the raw rock energy of The Dover Brothers and the sludge-drenched power that Down would soon unleash.
DOWN
From the moment Down hit the stage, it was clear that San Antonio was in for something special. Phil Anselmo and Kirk Windstein, two titans of Southern metal, led the charge with a vocal interplay that was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Together with Pepper Keenan’s riff-heavy assault, Pat Bruders’ thunderous bass, and Jimmy Bower’s relentless drumming, the band proved why they are sludge metal legends! They complemented each other flawlessly, trading off lines, harmonizing, and feeding off the electricity of the roaring crowd.
The setlist was stacked with fan favorites, opening with the crushing “Lysergik Funeral Procession,” which immediately sent the audience into a frenzy. Windstein’s unmistakable riffs cut through the air like a battle cry, while Anselmo’s signature growl carried every word with an intensity that could be felt in the bones.
Tracks like “Lifer” and “Stone The Crow” showcased the band’s mastery of groove and heaviness, blending deep, soulful melodies with punishing force.
Celebration Of Heavy Metal
As the final notes of “Bury Me in Smoke” echoed through the venue, The Aztec Theatre erupted in a sea of horns and cheers. The band brought out members of The Dover Brothers and Nest to join them onstage, turning the last song into an all-out celebration of heavy metal unity. It was a moment fans would never forget—a pure, unfiltered display of passion, power, and the enduring spirit of Southern metal.
Legendary Musicians On Stage
Down’s roots are steeped in the deep, sludgy swamps of Southern metal history. Formed in the early ’90s by some of the most legendary names in the scene, the band was meant to be a side project but quickly grew into something much greater. Led by Phil Anselmo (Pantera) and Kirk Windstein (Crowbar), alongside Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity), Jimmy Bower (Eyehategod), and Pat Bruders, the group created a sound that was both punishing and deeply emotive.
Their 1995 debut album, NOLA, became an instant classic, blending blues-infused riffs with gut-wrenching heaviness. Songs like “Hail the Leaf” and “Jail” displayed a raw, unfiltered honesty that resonated with fans worldwide. Over the decades, Down has cemented their legacy as one of the greatest sludge metal bands ever, continuously evolving while staying true to their signature sound.
With their roots firmly planted in the heavy metal underground, Down’s influence has only grown stronger. Last night’s performance was a reminder that their music is as vital as ever, proving that true metal never fades—it only grows heavier with time.
Last night at The Aztec Theatre was more than just a concert, it was an unrelenting celebration of heavy metal’s raw power and timeless energy. From The Dover Brothers’ high-energy riffs, to Nest’s doom-laden assault, and finally, Down’s masterful performance, every band brought something unique to the stage, making this a night to remember.
The crowd’s energy never wavered, feeding off the band’s power and throwing it right back in a glorious cycle of metal mayhem. As fans spilled out into the streets of San Antonio, voices hoarse from screaming and ears still ringing from the night’s sonic devastation, one thing was certain, Down delivered a fantastic show! Metalheads left with their hearts full and their fists raised.
DOWN – San Antonio, TX – 04/01/2025
- Lysergik Funeral Procession
- Lifer
- Hail the Leaf
- Ghosts Along the
- Mississippi
- Pillars of Eternity
- Temptation’s Wings
- Swann Song
- Losing All
- Stone the Crow
- The Seed
- Eyes of the South
- Bury Me in Smoke
