It's hard not to feel for Alice in Chains -- all the guys in the band were lifers, all except lead singer Layne Staley, who never managed to exorcise his demons, succumbing to drug addiction in 2002. Alice in Chains stopped being a going concern long before that, all due to Staley's addictions, and it took guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez, and drummer Sean Kinney a long time to decide to regroup, finally hiring William DuVall as Staley's replacement and delivering Black Gives Way to Blue a full 14 years after the band's last album. To everybody's credit, Black Gives Way to Blue sounds like it could have been delivered a year after Alice in Chains: it's unconcerned with fashion; it's true to their dark, churning gloom rock; and if you're not paying attention too closely, it's easy to mistake DuVall for his predecessor. There's a difference between desperately attempting to recapture past glories and reconnecting with their roots, and Alice in Chains fall into the latter category. While they'll never be mistaken for a feel-good band, there is a palpable sense of relief that they get to play together again as a band, and what's remarkable is that they still sound like themselves, capturing that weird murk halfway between '80s metal and '90s northwestern sludge, reminding us that we were missing something in their absence.
Written by: Laura MelvinI was ridiculously excited when I heard that Alice in Chains was preparing to release a new album. But, like a lot of people, I was also a little worried: How could there be an Alice in Chains without lead singer Layne Staley? The band’s answer to the public’s concerns was to [...]
More >
Their first studio album in 14 years, Alice in Chains do no disservice to anyone with Black Gives Way to Blue. Its value, then, depends on how one hears it.On the cover of the new Alice in Chains album, their first in 14 long years, sits a heart. Not a beating heart, nor a particularly healthy-looking one, surrounded as it is by a deep hue of black; just a heart, looking as if it were coldly di...
More >
Alice in Chains‘Black Gives Way to Blue’Virgin/EMIAfter battling a severe drug addiction, former Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley passed away in 2002. AIC as everyone knew it was over. Its heart, its voice, was gone. The band, who last released a studio record (‘Alice in Chains’) in 1995, was on hiatus (and has been for 14 years), and the death of Staley was to serve as the final stop
More >
Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue (Virgin/EMI) After battling a severe drug addiction, former Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley passed away in 2002. AIC as everyone knew it was over. Its heart, its voice, was gone. The band, who last released a studio record (‘Alice in Chains’) in 1995, was on hiatus (and has been for 14 years), and the death of Staley was to serve as the final sto
More >
By Ben Apatoff New PEARL JAM sounding too soft? Still too soon to discuss the latest CHRIS CORNELL debacle? Fear not, grungeheads, because ALICE IN CHAINS are back with a record that's hard and bleak enough to earn the AIC moniker, no matter if only two guys who played on Dirt are showing up. It's [...]
More >
Directed by Stephen Schuster from the album, Black Gives Way to Blue.Black Gives Way to Blue is the band's first album since the death of vocalist Layne Staley in 2002. William DuVall of Comes With the Fall is the current lead.A music video bordering on epic length, three distinct story lines are exhibited with all carrying the same underlying theme. The teen suffering from childhood based PTSD ha
More >
Alice in Chains - A Looking In View I think it would make Layne proud...
More >
This has been posted by a few blogs already but oh well. Yesterday the band released a song from their new album. I'm still not sure what to think of it overall. There's parts I like a parts I could do without. I think that it has enough elements to be an Alice song, though (except for the fade out at the end. What the hell?!), and it gives me hope that the album will be enjoyable. See what you...
More >
What is an interesting collaboration, Alice in Chains & Elton John have collaborated on their upcoming album Black Gives Way to Blue. Elton John lends his piano playing on the song “Black Gives Way to Black” – which was written as a tribute to the bands late lead singer Layne Staley who died in 2002. [...]
More >
Alice In Chains announced on their site and through their e-newsletter that their new album, Black Gives Way To Blue will be released on Sept. 29.Thus far, that's all I've got, if you don't want to wait for my update tomorrow night, check out AliceinChains.com on Saturday for more details. Oh, and apparently, fans will get a taste of the new album on June 30 through the site. Not sure what it m...
More >
Alice In Chains's new album Black Gives Way To Blue is due out on September 22nd. The band had released "A Looking In View" for a free download. Now they've released another new track, "Check My Brain". It's pretty kickass and it'll definitely get you EVEN MORE EXCITED about the ...
More >
Click play to listen to "A Looking In View" Alice in Chains, the last great grunge band, has a new album Black Gives Way To Blue coming out on September 29th. Because they're so awesome, they've posted a brand new song online for you to download (at aliceinchains.com). "A ...
More >
According to Blabbermouth, Elton John plays on the title track to Alice in Chains’ forthcoming Black Gives Way to Blue, which is described as “a heart-stirring tribute” to late vocalist Layne Staley.Apparently John’s contribution comes solely in the form of piano playing and not vocals, which must be why Vince made no note of it [...]
More >
The track list and album art (above) for the new Alice In Chains album have been revealed. Black Gives Way To Blue comes out on September 29th.The album is the first from the Seattle hard rock/metal band since the passing of singer Layne Staley. It will also reportedly feature an appearance by Sir Elton John. Yeah, I'm at a loss for words too.The track list for the album looks as such:All
More >
I think that William DuVall is ready for his close-up. Black Gives Way to Blue kills, and proves that Alice in Chains have done what even the most cynical of us (namely, me) thought was impossible: this band can carry on without Layne Staley. And, yes, Jerry Cantrell deserves a BJ or twelve for that [...]
More >
Alice In Chains have announced a slew of dates for a forthcoming tour of North American.The band are set to kick off the extensive jaunt on December 11 in Las Vegas and will play dates running into later next year.Among the dates announced are shows in Los Angeles, Oakland, Atlanta, and Montreal.The tour will be in support of the bands new album ‘Black Gives Way To Blue‘.Tour dates:Dec. 11 Las
More >
All I’d been thinking about since Bonfire Night was seeing Alice In Chains live in London. They’re the grunge band for metallers. They’re the band with some of the most tortured lyrics in the history of rock n’ roll. Even without Layne Staley’s genius, they are Alice In Chains. This is one of my favourite [...]
More >
Alice in Chains have just posted their newest single, "Check My Brain," on their Myspace page. The single comes off the highly anticipated album Black Gives Way To Blue - scheduled for release on September 29th. You can also listen to it here.
More >
I gotta say I never thought I’d have the chance to write about a new record by these guys. Nevertheless, September 29, 2009 marks the arrival of Black Gives Way To Blue, Alice In Chains’ first studio album in 14 years.This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the band’s career. 15 years after the [...]
More >
Alice in Chains have just released a trailer for their upcoming video, "Your Decision." The clip features William DuVall, Mike Inez, Jerry Cantrell, and Sean Kinney dressed in suit and tie. The band teamed up once again with Director Stephen Schuster, who also did the video for the song "A ...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 All Secrets Known |
|
|
| 2 Check My Brain |
|
|
| 3 Last Of My Kind |
|
|
| 4 Your Decision |
|
|
| 5 A Looking In View |
|
|
| 6 When The Sun Rose Again |
|
|
| 7 Acid Bubble |
|
|
| 8 Lesson Learned |
|
|
| 9 Take Her Out |
|
|
| 10 Private Hell |
|
|
| 11 Black Gives Way To Blue |
|
|
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Black Gives Way to Blue")
