Alice in Chains, a band inextricably linked to the Seattle grunge scene of the 90s, has resurfaced in full force with their new album Black Gives Way to Blue. Released on September 30th, the album represents a new beginning for guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Inez. New addition William DuVall assumes the position of lead singer and second guitarist after the tragic loss of former frontman and legend Layne Staley.
Black Gives Way to Blue is a record with multiple personalities; on one level, it is a symbol of Alice in Chains' perseverance and rebirth. On another, with its underlying thread of remembrance and reminiscence, it is a brilliant tribute in itself to the late Staley. The opening track, "All Secrets Known", is a springboard for what is to come in the rest of the album. Cantrell and DuVall harmonize "There's no going back/To the place we started from", and Cantrell affirms later in the song that "All wounds are healing", making it clear right from the get-go that the band has been revived. And yet, as if written specifically to communicate with Staley through music, the album's title track closes the record with a promise that the band will never forget the past nor forget the man who was such a large part of it. The track is made extra special by simple yet elegant piano additions from Elton John, who agreed to collaborate with the band after he received a demo of the song.
Alice in Chains also demonstrate their dynamic nature as a band with new sounds and influences, while still adhering to their old signature styles that are so easily recognizable. "Check My Brain" and "Take Her Out" seem to incorporate new twinges of Sunset Strip rock 'n' roll not present in their old material, perhaps stemming from Cantrell's move to Los Angeles from Seattle in 2003. Lyrically, these songs present subject matter that is easier to digest than the dark and haunting subjects of much of the band's older material. This is not to say that Black Gives Way to Blue lacks a darker side; the heavy and relentless "A Looking in View" is the album's first single, exploding with a powerful underlying guitar riff that is as brooding as any of AIC's music from the 90s. The album's penultimate track, "Private Hell", brings back quintessential Alice in Chains. Featuring one of the most masterful vocal interchanges between Cantrell and DuVall on the record, it is the standout on Black Gives Way to Blue and an instant classic for any Alice fan.
The single negative about the album is that DuVall does not get many chances to showcase his vocal talent. Perhaps this is because the band felt that he needed to ease into his new position slowly, fearing that fans would criticize DuVall and the rest of the band for replacing Staley in the first place. This backlash has occurred to some extent already, but it is not warranted. Although lacking Staley's inherent anguish and drama in his voice, DuVall meshes well with Cantrell when it comes to harmonizations. In "Last of My Kind", he is given the lead vocal duties and proves he can also impress when singing solo. The heavy groove of the track compliments his vocals perfectly, and lyrically, this is one of the most original songs on the album. On the band's next release (and, no doubt, there will be one), fans can anticipate a probable increase in lead vocals from DuVall. Until then, Black Gives Way to Blue no doubt proves that the new AIC has the ability to continue making stellar music. Anyone who loves the new material cannot help but feel thankful for DuVall and his seemingly perfect fit with the resurrected band.
With Black Gives Way to Blue, Alice in Chains put themselves back on the rock and roll map in 2009. The album is the culmination of an uphill battle for the band that was once at the forefront of their genre, and of course, Layne Staley would be proud that they are back on top.
