We opened this crazy day with the album "Dirt" by "Alice in Chains", but it is only natural that we end it in a crazy circle with the union album "Black Gives Way to Blue", the band's fourth album released on the same day, September 29, 2009, by a wide margin of 17 years from the album "Dirt".
The story of this album actually begins even before the death of Layne Staley, in 2000, when Jerry Cantrell met William DuVall in Los Angeles through a mutual friend.
Friendships were formed between the two, with Cantrell occasionally joining as a guest artist in Duvall's band "Comes with the Fall" performances, while Duvall and his band warmed up Cantrell in his solo performances to promote his album "Degradation Trip" in 2001 and 2002. In some cases, Duvall and his band also served as Cantrell's backing band, with William singing Layne's roles in "Alice in Chains" songs.
In February 2005, Alice's three friends returned to perform together for the first time, after almost 10 years. This was during a fundraising event for the tsunami victims. The three continued their momentum and went on tour with many varied guest singers, in order to celebrate their love of music, honor the memory of Layne Staley and remember the good old days.
In March 2006 Duvall joined the band on stage to perform the song "Rooster", the performance was perfect and paved the road to official membership in the band, with Alice continuing a short tour in America. These reunion shows gave the band an appetite to write and record new music, but at first, they thought it would not be appropriate to do so under Alice's name, but over time as they performed together and spent time together it already felt more right to them.
(Photo: Johnny Buzzerio)
In October 2008, the band entered "Foo Fighters" "Studio 606" in California to record the album.
The band did not have a record company to accompany them at the time, so Jerry and Sean Kinney funded the recordings out of their own pockets. During the recordings, Layne Staley's mother visited the studio and gave the band her blessing. By then it was already clear to all the members that this project was going to bear the name of "Alice in Chains" and not any other.
Mystically the recording of the album ended on March 18, 2009, Jerry's birthday which is also the birthday of William Duvall's son.
The album was finally released on September 29, 2009, exactly on the same day that the masterpiece album "Dirt" was released, which is perhaps the most amazing piece signed by Staley, and should thus be seen as a kind of homage of the band to one of the greatest singers of our generation. Cantrell also wrote the title song "Black Gives Way to Blue" as a tribute to Staley, in which Elton John plays the piano. Before writing the song, Jerry said that he suffered from a mysterious disease of migraines and exhaustion when the doctors were unable to detect the disease. Jerry believes that it is a psychological illness caused to him as a result of the great pain he experienced in the face of Layne's departure.
Four singles were released from the album.
The first single, "The Looking and View", heavy and dark, which talks about the difficulties of getting out of difficult moods, was released on June 30, 2009, even before the album was released. It is one of the heaviest tracks on the album, that explores darker emotional terrain, with grinding guitar riffs and intense vocals. Clocking in at over seven minutes, it’s a slow, deliberate journey into themes of self-reflection, alienation, and inner turmoil. The dense layering of guitars, bass, and drums amplifies the song’s oppressive atmosphere, making it one of the most intense experiences on the album.
About a month before the album's release, the second single "Check My Brain" was released, which tells of Cantrell's move from Seattle to Los Angeles in 2003, a move that was difficult for him as a Seattle native who lived there most of his life. his track stands out with its sludgy, grunge-infused riff and a catchy hook. Cantrell’s guitar work is sharp and precise, with a memorable riff that elevates the track to one of the album's highlights.
The revamped Alice also introduced its acoustic side with the third single “Your Decision” which also addresses the pain Jerry experienced after Staley’s death, dealing with it and the decision not to sink into it and choose life. It's an acoustic-driven ballad, with Cantrell’s soft vocals paired with the acoustic guitar creating a somber mood, and with lyrics like "Time to change has come and gone" evoking deep sadness and resignation. It’s a track that showcases the band’s ability to balance heaviness with vulnerability.
This song "Lesson Learned" combines strong riffs with a catchy chorus, bringing a more accessible sound compared to the heavier tracks. The lyrics focus on personal growth and the lessons that come with pain and hardship. The band balances grit with melody here, creating a memorable track that stands out for its balance of aggression and melody. The amazing video clip for this fourth single consisted of 6,000 still images, watch it here:
But this album is definitely not just the four singles released from it.
There's the opening track with the simply amazing sound "All Secrets Known", a somber track that sets the emotional tone for the album and is in our opinion one of the band's best songs. The mesmerizing riffs and slow tempo create a feeling of farewell to the past and cautious optimism about the future. Cantrell and Duvall's vocal harmonies provide a sense of continuity to their previous albums. "Last of My Kind" the only song on the album where William DuVall sings without Cantrell's harmonies. Duvall wrote the lyrics and the melody of one of the songs that leans on the heavier and more metallic side of "Alice in Chains". The acoustic track "When the Sun Rose Again" which feels meditative with the caressing vocal harmonies. The subtle arrangement showcases the band's versatility, seamlessly combining elements of folk and rock here. "Acid Bubble" here, which echoes the band's dark, grunge roots, slowly building up the tension with wicked guitar riffs and a dissonant melody. "Take Her Out" which brings a more rockish sound to the album, but still maintains the basic melancholy that runs throughout the album, and of course "Private Hell" which Cantrell denied was written about Lane Staley.
The album cover includes an illustration of a heart symbolizing the band's heartbreak over Staley's death. The entire album is also dedicated to his memory as it appears on the inside cover.
This album was nominated for two Grammy Awards and won the Album of the Year award from Revolver and Metal Storm magazines, and rightly so. But most of all, he has proven that the revamped lineup has a lot more to give and that it definitely deserves to continue to carry Layne Staley’s torch with pride.
True, this is no longer the same Alice, but it certainly honors the memory of Layne, who continues to live through it, and convincing proof of what we saw with our own eyes during the band's performances in Israel in 2019.
Listen to the album on: Spotify, Apple Music
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