Downset

7671 fans

I don't know what you wanna hear, but I know what I gotta say!

Founded in Los Angeles in the late 80's as part of the thriving hardcore scene, downset has evolved into an icon of sorts. As the original blenders of rap, funk, hardcore, punk, metal, and socially aware lyrics, they drew influences from Black Flag to Black Sabbath, Public Enemy to Bob Marley.

Becoming a huge draw, the industry took notice and they caught the attention of Mercury/PolyGram Records and released their self titled debut in 1994. From California, they perfected their unique, in your face assault of rap/rock fusion pounding street anthems, along with artists like Rage Against The Machine and KoRn, who helped to pave the way for the hip-hop/metal explosion of the late 90's.

The band features Rey Oropeza (Vocals), Chris Lee (Drums), Ares Schwager (Guitars), and Rico Villasenor (Bass). In 1992, Social Justice (1987-92) changed their name to downset and released their self-titled debut album on Abstract Records (1994).

The album was praised by critics, exploring various social issues in their songs, including the death of Oropeza's father by the LAPD in the song Anger.Later in 1994, downset. signed a deal with Mercury Records (Polygram), and released Downset their self-titled effort in the same year.

In 1996, the band released their most commercially successful album, Do We Speak a Dead Language?, through Mercury.Making their departure from Mercury Records, downset were scooped up by Epitaph Records and released their 3rd album, Check Your People in 2000.

That same year, rumours circulated that Oropeza was to resume Rage Against the Machine's Zach de la Rocha vocalist position after Zach left. Other replacement contenders were Chris Cornell, Chuck D, and B-Real of Cypress Hill.

Cornell was ultimately chosen, and Rage Against the Machine transfigured into Audioslave.After many line-up changes (most notably, the loss of long-time downset. guitar player, Rogelio Lozano and the addition of original drummer, Chris Lee), in 2004 downset.

released their latest album, Universal, on independent record label Hawino Records.Without mainstream recognition, downset are regarded as a noteworthy influence within the nu-metal & rap-metal subgenres.

In addition to headlining the second stage at Ozzfest 1997, they've toured with Linkin Park, Slayer, Metallica and Anthrax, among many other eminent metal names.The band's original moniker was Social Justice.

They released their debut album, Unity is Strength, in 1989 and the EP I Refuse to Lose under this name.downset. called it a day in May 2009, claiming the band had 'officially run its course'
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Top tracks

02
Empower
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
02:24
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
07
Touch
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
04:16
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
11
Sangre De Mis Manos
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
02:28
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
01
About Ta Blast (Demo)
Downset
About Ta Blast
03:10
Writer: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez / Composers: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez
03
Together
Downset
Check Your People
04:20
10
2000
Downset
Check Your People
03:08
07
The Place To Be
Downset
Maintain
03:45
Writer: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett / Composers: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett
04
Prostitutionalized
Downset
Downset
03:13
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
03
Take 'Em Out
Downset
Downset
02:40
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
02
Ritual
Downset
Downset
03:34
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
01
Fallen Off
Downset
Check Your People
03:57
01
Anger
Downset
Downset
04:13
Composers: Chris Lee - Rogelio Lozano - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager
05
Downset
Downset
Downset
03:02
Composers: Chris Lee - Rogelio Lozano - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager
07
Which Way
Downset
Check Your People
04:58
12
Test Of My Heart
Downset
Check Your People
03:31
13
Pure Trauma
Downset
Check Your People
02:33
03
Eyes Shut Tight
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
04:09
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
08
About To Blast
Downset
Downset
02:56
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
10
Dying Of Thirst
Downset
Downset
03:22
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
07
Holding Hands
Downset
Downset
03:15
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
06
My American Prayer
Downset
Downset
05:25
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
10
Pocket Full Of Fatcaps
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
03:17
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
04
Keep On Breathing
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
02:53
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
05
Check Your People
Downset
Check Your People
04:38
09
Breed The Killer
Downset
Downset
02:51
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
02
Coming Back
Downset
Check Your People
03:53
01
One Blood
Downset
One Blood
05:17
Writer: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager / Composers: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager
05
Hurl A Stone
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
02:21
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
12
Horrifying
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
03:31
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
04
Play Big
Downset
Check Your People
03:39
01
All Crews
Downset
Universal
03:53
Writer: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee / Composers: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee
01
I Refuse Tolose
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
01:36
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
04
Promise to God
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
02:48
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
05
Burning Fight
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
02:40
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
02
Hear the Cries
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
01:40
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY

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  • Discography
Albums
Nuclear Blast
10-06-2022
Maintain
01
Maintain
Downset
Maintain
02:56
Writer: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett / Composers: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett
02
Blackest Of Days
Downset
Maintain
02:48
Writer: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett / Composers: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett
03
New Respect
Downset
Maintain
02:11
Writer: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett / Composers: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett
04
Won't Forget
Downset
Maintain
03:07
Writer: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett / Composers: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett
05
Wreck It
Downset
Maintain
03:24
Writer: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett / Composers: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett
06
On Lock (Only The Defest)
Downset
Maintain
03:24
Writer: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett / Composers: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett
07
The Place To Be
Downset
Maintain
03:45
Writer: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett / Composers: Rey Anthony Oropeza - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Bobby Ponte - Nick Jett
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Nuclear Blast
21-07-2014
One Blood
01
One Blood
Downset
One Blood
05:17
Writer: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager / Composers: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager
02
Without
Downset
One Blood
03:56
Writer: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager / Composers: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager
03
Champion
Downset
One Blood
02:58
Writer: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager / Composers: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager
04
All I Got
Downset
One Blood
03:22
Writer: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager / Composers: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager
05
It's Your World
Downset
One Blood
03:13
Writer: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager / Composers: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager
06
Why Can't We Wait
Downset
One Blood
03:23
Writer: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager / Composers: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager
07
Tu Corazon
Downset
One Blood
03:37
Writer: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager / Composers: Chris Hamilton - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Ares Schwager
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Epitaph
29-07-2008
Check Your People
01
Fallen Off
Downset
Check Your People
03:57
02
Coming Back
Downset
Check Your People
03:53
03
Together
Downset
Check Your People
04:20
04
Play Big
Downset
Check Your People
03:39
05
Check Your People
Downset
Check Your People
04:38
06
No Home (Steady!)
Downset
Check Your People
03:14
07
Which Way
Downset
Check Your People
04:58
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Nuclear Blast
01-06-2004
Universal
01
All Crews
Downset
Universal
03:53
Writer: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee / Composers: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee
02
Forever
Downset
Universal
04:22
Writer: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee / Composers: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee
03
Stay In The Game
Downset
Universal
03:04
Writer: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee / Composers: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee
04
Black Glock
Downset
Universal
03:02
Writer: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee / Composers: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee
05
Jumpin Off
Downset
Universal
03:03
Writer: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee / Composers: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee
06
The Rush
Downset
Universal
02:58
Writer: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee / Composers: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee
07
Hectic
Downset
Universal
03:25
Writer: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee / Composers: Rey Oropeza - Rico Villasenor - Brian Ares Schwager - Chris Lee
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
â„— 1996 UMG Recordings, Inc.
09-09-1996
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
01
Intro
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
00:48
Writer: Martin Luther King Jr. / Composers: Unknown
02
Empower
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
02:24
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
03
Eyes Shut Tight
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
04:09
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
04
Keep On Breathing
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
02:53
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
05
Hurl A Stone
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
02:21
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
06
Fire
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
02:28
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
07
Touch
Downset
Do We Speak A Dead Language?
04:16
Composers: Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager - Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
â„— 1994 The Island Def Jam Music Group
01-01-1994
Downset
01
Anger
Downset
Downset
04:13
Composers: Chris Lee - Rogelio Lozano - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager
02
Ritual
Downset
Downset
03:34
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
03
Take 'Em Out
Downset
Downset
02:40
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
04
Prostitutionalized
Downset
Downset
03:13
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
05
Downset
Downset
Downset
03:02
Composers: Chris Lee - Rogelio Lozano - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Brian Schwager
06
My American Prayer
Downset
Downset
05:25
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
07
Holding Hands
Downset
Downset
03:15
Composers: Downset - Roy Z.
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
EPs
2024 2000. Epitaph Europe - 2024. NuclearBlast.
03-11-2024
Together (Wrung Up) [Split 2000]
01
Together Demo
Downset
Together (Wrung Up) [Split 2000]
04:24
Writer: Downset - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY - Gr - Rogelio Lozano - PATRICIA R MARTA / Composers: Downset - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY - Gr - Rogelio Lozano - PATRICIA R MARTA
02
Check Your Head
Downset
Together (Wrung Up) [Split 2000]
04:35
Writer: OROPEZA REY ANTHONY - Ginda Rajagukguk - Rogelio Lozano - PATRICIA R MARTA / Composers: OROPEZA REY ANTHONY - Ginda Rajagukguk - Rogelio Lozano - PATRICIA R MARTA
03
Wrung Up
Downset
Together (Wrung Up) [Split 2000]
03:31
Writer: NORTON KEVIN - Ginda Rajagukguk - Miller Johnny - PATRICIA R MARTA / Composers: NORTON KEVIN - Ginda Rajagukguk - Miller Johnny - PATRICIA R MARTA
04
Kill the Messenger
Downset
Together (Wrung Up) [Split 2000]
02:27
Writer: NORTON KEVIN - Ginda Rajagukguk - Miller Johnny - PATRICIA R MARTA / Composers: NORTON KEVIN - Ginda Rajagukguk - Miller Johnny - PATRICIA R MARTA
2024 Drug Bust Records
12-10-2024
Code Blue Coma 2000
01
Code Blue Coma
Downset
Code Blue Coma 2000
03:04
Writer: LEE CHRISTOPHER BRIAN - Lynch George - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: LEE CHRISTOPHER BRIAN - Lynch George - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
02
Act of Faith
Downset
Code Blue Coma 2000
03:00
Writer: LEE CHRISTOPHER BRIAN - Lynch George - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: LEE CHRISTOPHER BRIAN - Lynch George - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
03
Wreck It
Downset
Code Blue Coma 2000
03:25
Writer: LEE CHRISTOPHER BRIAN - Lynch George - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: LEE CHRISTOPHER BRIAN - Lynch George - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
04
Iron Man
Downset
Code Blue Coma 2000
06:08
Writer: BUTLER TERENCE MICHAEL - Iommi Anthony Frank - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: BUTLER TERENCE MICHAEL - Iommi Anthony Frank - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
05
Blood /Japan 2000
Downset
Code Blue Coma 2000
03:37
Writer: LEE CHRISTOPHER BRIAN - Lynch George - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: LEE CHRISTOPHER BRIAN - Lynch George - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
1993 2025. NuclearBlast & 1993. Green Records
14-02-1993
I Refuse to Lose
01
I Refuse Tolose
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
01:36
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
02
Hear the Cries
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
01:40
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
03
Spiritual Soul
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
01:27
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
04
Promise to God
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
02:48
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
05
Burning Fight
Downset
I Refuse to Lose
02:40
Writer: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY / Composers: Social Justice - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY
Singles
2025 NuclearBlast
17-03-2025
Anger (Live)
01
Anger (Live)
Downset
Anger (Live)
03:53
Writer: Brian Schwager - Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Rogelio Lozano / Composers: Brian Schwager - Chris Lee - James Morris - Rey Oropeza - Rogelio Lozano
2024 NuclearBlast
07-11-2024
Together Demo
01
Together Demo
Downset
Together Demo
04:23
Writer: Downset - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY - Gr - Rogelio Lozano - PATRICIA R MARTA / Composers: Downset - OROPEZA REY ANTHONY - Gr - Rogelio Lozano - PATRICIA R MARTA
2024 NuclearBlast
24-09-2024
Anger Mn1 (2024 Remastered)
01
Anger Mn1 (2024 Remastered)
Downset
Anger Mn1 (2024 Remastered)
04:06
Writer: Rogelio Lozano - Ginda Rajagukguk - Lee Christopher - NuclearBlast - PATRICIA R MARTA / Composers: Rogelio Lozano - Ginda Rajagukguk - Lee Christopher - NuclearBlast - PATRICIA R MARTA
Nuclear Blast
18-02-2022
Anger/Ritual
01
Anger (Demo)
Downset
Anger/Ritual
04:07
Writer: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - James Morris - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez / Composers: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - James Morris - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez
02
Ritual (Spoken Protest) (Demo)
Downset
Anger/Ritual
05:48
Writer: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - James Morris - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez - Brian Neal Schwager / Composers: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - James Morris - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez - Brian Neal Schwager
Nuclear Blast
18-02-2022
About Ta Blast
01
About Ta Blast (Demo)
Downset
About Ta Blast
03:10
Writer: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez / Composers: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez
02
Body Cry (Demo)
Downset
About Ta Blast
04:46
Writer: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez - Roy Z / Composers: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez - Roy Z
03
Breed The Killer (Demo)
Downset
About Ta Blast
02:50
Writer: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - James Morris - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez / Composers: Christopher Brian Lee - Rogelio Hernandez Lozano - James Morris - Rey Anthony Oropeza - Roger H. Ramirez
25-04-2000
Cold Blue Coma
01
Cold Blue Coma
Downset
Cold Blue Coma
03:12