Down frontman Phil Anselmo has recorded a 45-second video message updating fans on the band’s upcoming, yet-untitled EP and wishing fans happy holidays. Anselmo posted the recording shortly after recording vocals at Nodferatu’s lair, the barn studio on his 17 acre property in south Louisiana.

“[The EP] is gonna be out next year, so be sure to pick it up,” he said, then added, “I wanna wish everybody a f—in’ Merry Christmas, and all that f—in’ s–t — New Year’s and whatever the piss you do. Enjoy yourself.” Editor’s note: Thanks Phil, your warm holiday wishes are greatly appreciated! A f—in’ Merry Christmas to you, too!

In June, Down guitarist Kirk Windstein told Radio Metal that the band would release four diverse EPs over the next couple years. “We have many elements to our sound, so each one will have its own characteristics,” he said. “For example, this one we’re writing right now and are about to start recording will be really hard, with heavy Down stuff. Then we’ll have a mellow one, then a doom one — you know, slower and doomy stuff. A little bit of everything.”

Recently, Down bassist Rex Brown left the band to devote himself to Kill Devil Hill, which also features ex-Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, guitarist Mark Zavon and vocalist Dewey Bragg. Down replaced Brown with Crowbar bassist Patrick Bruders. In an interview with the Delaware County Daily Times, guitarist Pepper Keenan said, “[He is] ass-kickin’ in the same way [Rex was]. He plays with his fingers, which is really cool. He’s got the whole Geezer Butler thing going on.”

Look for the new Down EP in 2012.

Watch Phil Anselmo’s Holiday Greeting

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