On October 18 Jerry Cantrell his fourth studio album "I Want Blood".
Jerry Cantrell's "I Want Blood" marks a return to the dark, brooding atmosphere that made him a vital force in "Alice in Chains". Released as the follow-up to 2021’s "Brighten", this album serves as its antithesis—a dive into shadowy, haunting themes that feel deeply rooted in Cantrell’s musical identity. The album captures the very essence of his songwriting and guitar mastery, bringing fans back to the bleak, sludgy soundscapes reminiscent of his iconic band, yet with a fresh, solo twist.
Cantrell, known for assembling stellar supporting casts, and like in "Brighten" he has done it again here. The album features powerhouse collaborators like "Guns N’ Roses" bassist Duff McKagan and "Metallica’s" Robert Trujillo on bass, along with "Faith No More’s" Mike Bordin and Gil Sharone from "Team Sleep" on drums, with Backing vocals from Greg Puciato (ex-"Dillinger Escape Plan")
Where "Brighten" ventured into more uplifting, melodic territory, "I Want Blood" drags listeners down into the depths of Cantrell’s signature heavy, riff-laden world. From the drum intro and the first riff on "Vilified", you can feel the tension building. The track kicks off the album with a hard-hitting rock assault, featuring Cantrell’s gritty vocals and snarling guitar lines that immediately recall the "Alice in Chains" era.
You can feel that Cantrell moved away from "Brighten" in songs like "Off the Rails" that tap directly into the band’s dissonant harmonies, sounding as though they could have come straight from the early 1990s Layne Staley days in "Facelift". Another example is the theme track "I Want Blood" which has a lot of galloping reminiscent of "Queens Of The Stone Age".
But, the album is filled with dynamic shifts. The melodic “Afterglow” where we can even hear some keyboards, the acoustic “Echoes of Laughter,” and the heavy “Throw Me a Line” take on slower, more reflective tempos, creating a slow burn that contrasts the heavier moments. "Throw Me a Line" even introduces a Southern twang in the guitar work, offering a surprising stylistic detour while maintaining the album’s murky atmosphere.
One of the highlights, "Let It Lie," stands out for its doomy, sludgy, dense aura, where Cantrell implores the listener to "let it lie," hinting at themes of surrender and emotional weight. The closing track, "It Comes," takes a more atmospheric approach, layering guitars and vocals offering a reflective and haunting finale.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
Comments