King Diamond sings on "Merciful Fate," the second track on DOWN's new album Volume V, out November 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. Philip H. Anselmo and Pepper Keenan discussed the collaboration in the new issue of Fistful Of Metal magazine.
According to Anselmo, the title arrived by accident during the demo sessions — he started singing the words "Merciful Fate" because they fit the section — and then stuck because the idea behind it, a peaceful death when the time comes, is something he thinks about a lot these days. Once his own vocal was down, he asked the band whether they'd want the King himself on the track. Everyone was in.
"I've known King for a long, long time, so I reached out to him and then sent over the demo," Anselmo said. "He seemed to be thrilled to do it." The band carried on mixing while they waited, and the part landed right on time. "There were so many times I really tried to imagine what he'd do over the song, but when I heard the actual real deal, I almost fell over," Anselmo recalled. He also credited King Diamond's wife, Livia Zita, who added harmony vocals.
Keenan went further, calling the exchange between the two singers potentially "one of the best heavy metal moments of the last fifteen or twenty years."
Volume V is DOWN's first studio album since 2014's Down IV – Part II. Asked what he brings to it now that he couldn't back then, Anselmo pointed to more clarity in his personal life and less pressure: "We all know what it should sound like." On touring, he was frank — it isn't a big part of his own plans, "but I will do what it takes to make sure the guys in the band are happy."
The album has been previewed by "Blood Oath" and "The Myth".
The official release show is part of The Great NOLA Trendkill at New Orleans' Lakefront Arena on November 20–21, alongside PANTERA's first hometown show in 30 years. In December, DOWN headline the second day of Decibel's Metal & Beer Fest in Denver.
Pre-order "Volume V": down.bfan.link/volume-v