The Return of Alice in Chains
New Album Black Gives Way to Blue with William DuVall
When Alice in Chains released their last studio recording they were one of the biggest bands around and the album, Alice in Chains, shot to #1. That was 1995 and a lot has changed.
Temporarily ignoring the changes in the musical climate that have taken place in that fourteen year period, the changes within Alice in Chains are even more pertinent to any examination of or expectations from a new album. Black Gives Way to Blue, scheduled for release September 29th, will be the first album of new Alice in Chains material released since the death of former lead vocalist Layne Staley and will serve as the debut of new vocalist William DuVall (formerly of Comes with the Fall). This major lineup change will be the first hurdle that Alice in Chains will have to overcome.
The Rise and Fall of Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains came out of the early 90s Seattle hotbed and, along with their Pacific Northwest brethren Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden, they ruled the airwaves as grunge kings. Alice in Chains was the darkest and moodiest of these bands, often writing about alienation and drug dependence. The dark lyrical themes were set over a low, driving rhythm section and the murky guitar sounds of guitarist/vocalist/primary songwriter Jerry Cantrell. And it was the vocal harmonies of Layne Staley and Cantrell that made these songs so haunting and truly gave Alice in Chains its unique sound.
However, these songs of addiction and pain were not mere posturing on the part of Alice in Chains. Staley struggled privately and later quite obviously with drug addiction. Alice in Chains had been on indefinite hiatus for several years when Staley died of an overdose in April of 2002 (believed to have died eight years to the day from the suicide of fellow early 90s icon Kurt Cobain). Alice in Chains officially disbanded upon Staley’s death.
The Road to Reformation after Layne Staley
Jerry Cantrell pursued a solo career during the hiatus of Alice in Chains, releasing two solo albums. The second of these albums, Degradation Trip, was released shortly after Staley’s death and was dedicated to the fallen band mate.
While touring as a solo artist Cantrell began working with William Duvall. DuVall’s band Comes with the Fall would open for Cantrell and DuVall would join Cantrell onstage to fill in for Staley’s harmonizing vocals when Cantrell chose to perform material from the Alice in Chains catalog.
It was not until 2005 that Cantrell got back together to play with former Alice in Chains band mates, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez, performing at a benefit concert with various vocalists stepping in to perform Layne Staley’s vocal duties. The following year they formally reunited and tours with the new Alice in Chains lineup featuring William Duvall ensued.
Black Gives Way to Blue
On September 29th this new Alice in Chains lineup will release its first album. And if the first single, ‘Check My Brain,’ is any indication of what awaits listeners, Alice in Chains are picking up right where they left off fourteen years ago and they haven’t lost a beat. The same dark sound is present in this song, the same (or similar) vocal harmonies fill this initial introduction of what is likely similar material on Black Gives Way to Blue.
However, the musical climate is much different than 1995. Many musical movements have waxed and waned in popularity since the pinnacle of Alice in Chains’ success. Is the world ready for the return of Alice in Chains?
This is what remains to be seen.
In a musical world starved for solid hard-rock bands, Black Gives Way to Blue could very well give Alice in Chains a second chance at a career halted so abruptly the first time around. And though it would be a pretty safe bet that most bands would fail when trying to come back after a fourteen year break between albums, with Alice in Chains nothing’s safe.
Alice in Chains circa 1992
|
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles