NOLA

NOLA is the debut album of Louisiana-based heavy metal band Down. It was released on September 19, 1995. The title is the abbreviation for New Orleans (N.O.), Louisiana (La.). NOLA was written mainly by Phil Anselmo and Pepper Keenan between 1990 and 1995. All of the band members were longtime friends, and shared interest in bands such as Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus, which would significantly influence the music they wrote for the record. Although a sludge metal album, NOLA contains traces of doom metal, hardcore punk, southern rock, stoner rock, and grunge. Lyrical themes on the album prominently focus on topics such as death, suicide, drug abuse and personal struggles.