Downset sign with Nuclear Blast Records, to release new album
Official press release:
Los Angeles' groundbreaking pioneers of the rap/hardcore hybrid and outspoken sociopolitical activists, Downset, have officially joined forces with the heaviest label in the business Nuclear Blast Records and are currently plotting one of the genres greatest comebacks. To mark the occasion, the band has partnered with the label to reissue the controversial demos that helped ignite a street led movement around the world, Anger/Ritual 7" and About Ta Blast 7", which were initially released 30 years ago.
Commenting on the signing to Nuclear Blast, founding guitarist Rogelio Lozano says: "Being signed to Nuclear Blast is a big honor for me. It's a great organization/record label and working with the people there has been nothing but pleasant, professional experience. Nuclear Blast is the #1 heavy metal label in the world with so many great bands and amazing album releases. It gives my band and me the feeling of being a part of something special. We feel right at home, excited and look forward into the re-release of the first two original 7" records as a reissued bundle, as well as our forthcoming 6th album!
"Look out for a mix of old school sound and 12 songs featuring the new era of Downset in 2022. With our new lineup, Bobby Blood Ponte on drums, Phillip Gonzales on bass, myself on Guitar and OG Rey Oropeza on vocals, we plan on continuing the legacy with future albums to come. We are back!"
Additionally, Downset has revealed a new music video today for the bonus demo track "Breed The Killer," that features vintage live footage of them performing the song. Watch the video here:
Monumental progress doesn't occur overnight. Some of man kind's most powerful words don't come from education or privilege, but erupt from the pain and roughness of the streets; they smolder through the cracks in the concrete until eventually grand truths are revealed, and the winds of change slowly emerge. It is with these notions in mind that old school Hardcore Kings Downset began to surface in Los Angeles, California in the early 1980's.
The genesis of Downset itself was not one of entitlement or handouts, either. Originally formed with a straight edge mentality under the name of social justice, the members of Downset have been fighting against societal injustice for a long time. Founder and vocalist Rey Oropeza began using graffiti as its own language for change in about 1982. "I would hit the streets… and when you hit the streets there's violence, there's racial injustice; it's not just violence in the sense of someone pulling out a gun on someone else, there's a violence that can happen to anybody, you can be rich, poor, male, female… and these things affect people for the rest of their lives," he explains. The group eventually released demos and shifted from social justice to Downset. "It has multiple meanings," explains guitarist and producer Rogelio Lozano (Cypress Hill, Powerflo). "Some people are set up in life, some are down with a set, but it also means to start off underprivileged; to have a life full of disadvantages." All of these notions and inspirations eventually procured a self-titled studio album that was released in 1994 via Mercury Records.
A musical style that was distinctly hardcore combined with Oropeza's MC abilities allowed Downset to stand out from other metal acts, while still being able to achieve a variety of tours with some of the most prominent bands of the time. After member rearrangements, and the 1996 release of Do We Speak A Dead Language, the band went on to join the original "Tattoo the Earth" tour in 2000 with the likes of Slayer, Sepultura, Mudvayne and more. This all coincided perfectly with the release of Check Your People, and once again the band was on the hustle.
With more member changes and the release of Universal a few years later in 2004, followed up by self-released One Blood in 2014, the band continued on hiatus. Now seven years later in 2022, Downset have officially returned to the scene and have signed a record deal with the world's leading metal label: Nuclear Blast Records. The new year will hold colossal announcements as far as new music, touring, and more. The future of society remains to be seen, but the future of Downset has been carved in the stone of the streets for decades.
42 comments
Post Commentdownset was actually one of my first shows. with deftones. as a wee lil evil hero. not really evil or a hero. just a weak ass lil dude tryin grab the mic during "nosebleed" anyway yeah. i haev respect
This is f*cking awesome. Criminally underrated band.
Pretty sure these guys got my drunk uncle into Limp Bizkit...
Some confusing text in the press release; the band formed "under the name of social justice," sure, but the original name of the band was literally Social Justice.
Glad OGs are still doing this. Put that horrible wannabe Merch core band 'Pain Of Truth' on right before Downset and see with you own eyes what posers these new school kids are.
I happened upon this band at a festival in 2003. It's been a long time, but I distinctly remember a chick in front of me saying, "I don't get it." Then she shook her head and left the area. That about sums up this band.
Rick ta life will be distributing all records and merch
Posers were ball washers for these bums 20 years ago.
Gonna smoke some rat weed while i listen to this
currently plotting one of the genres greatest comebacks Band wasn't even really drawing people back in the 90s.
anger, hostility towards the opposition
I remember them getting booed on the 1997 Ozzfest.
This band has always reeked of rat weed and cinnamon apple febreeze
Good thing. Wasn't getting worried there weren't enough bands with political lyrics out there.
Downset 2022: We failed at what we did after we broke up so we're back to cash in. 1997 is long gone suckaz!
"downset was actually one of my first shows. with deftones. as a wee lil evil hero. not really evil or a hero. just a weak ass lil dude tryin grab the mic during "nosebleed" anyway yeah. i haev respect" Sees cornball band as first show, won't talk shit cause "respect" The irony here is baffling
But do they have a gold record? The Turnstile dweeb demands answers.
But do they have a gold record? The Turnstile dweeb demands answers. ^^^^^^ Not even close. They released two albums on Mercury Records and one on Epitaph back when there were still fortunes to be made in the record business. The three albums collectively might have sold 100,000.
I have no idea what the guy in the first comment is talking about
But do they have a gold record? The Turnstile dweeb demands answers.>> The only Turnstile dweeb is you. Still crying about it in other comments. Injured bitch wipe ya pussy. Again you'd do cartwheels if they went Gold dipshit.
remember when they said "rap and metal could never mix?" should have listened fails every time white dudes with guitars should not rap, and any black guy that is involved with rapping and guitars is a race traitor
But do they have a gold record? The Turnstile dweeb demands answers.>> The only Turnstile dweeb is you. Still crying about it in other comments. Injured bitch wipe ya pussy. Again you'd do cartwheels if they went Gold dipshit Hahahaha I knew it: You're the Vogel accountant dude. The only person around these parts who gets wound up so easily is you. I don't even care about Turnstile, it's just amusing to goof on someone so easily triggered. You've been outed, bro. You mad cause Turnstile so much bigger than Terror?? Starting to think you really are Vogel.
Hahahaha I knew it: You're the Vogel accountant dude. The only person around these parts who gets wound up so easily is you. I don't even care about Turnstile, it's just amusing to goof on someone so easily triggered. You've been outed, bro. You mad cause Turnstile so much bigger than Terror?? Starting to think you really are Vogel. >>> This guy above is the nutcase who first was Terror's accountant & is now Turnstile's defender who constantly posts about Scott Vogel & now Turnstile. You have no life bro. Triggered over posts YOU made about Vogel & Turnstile. You create fake back & forths & everyone knows it. And the hilarious thing about it all is you are so clueless you think I'm Vogel & he's jealous of Turnstile when they're his boys. Keep arguing with yourself.
E Town Concrete did it better, hell, still do
^^^ Fu ck both of them. Fake gangbangers. Elizabeth NJ LOL.
these guys are bigger pussies than NYHC dudes, and those are the biggest pussies of all. I will fight everyone
In defense of Downset, they do come from a shithole neighborhood called Sylmar. Unlike the college students in RATM who met at the student center, Downset actually is from the ghetto.
This is great news. Do We Speak A Dead Language? is a 11/10 album.
In defense of Downset, they do come from a shithole neighborhood called Sylmar. Unlike the college students in RATM who met at the student center, Downset actually is from the ghetto. >>> There are fake gangbangers in the ghetto/barrio/hood. These guys were them. Wannabes...like ALL hardcore "crews."
evil_hero 2 days ago downset was actually one of my first shows. with deftones. as a wee lil evil hero. not really evil or a hero. just a weak ass lil dude tryin grab the mic during "nosebleed" anyway yeah. i haev respect Was this Deftones/Downset/Orange 9mm? Fall 97? Tried to get tix, sold out. still bummed.
If ever a time was right for these Los Angelinos it's now. The shit's selling millions of records," states Rey on the recent Rap-Rock explosion that Downset have long been at the forefront of. Simple fact: Downset's aggravated sonic alchemy just offers so much more. They ain't just doin' it for the proverbial "Nookie".
One of the greatest leaders are back! Freaking awesome! EMPOWER!!
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the vocalist dissed zach da la roach clip for perpetrating that he has a Nine, a set, and now he's got a name-"fool, whatchu know about a set or a sign,fake mother f*cker never even seen a nine. if I catch ya slipping,punk i'm gonna fade ya,cause set ain't down with that ghetto perpetrator." band is full of cholos-the stock in flannel shirts and white tank tops has just gone up.