In just a few months, we’ll hear what Alice in Chains really sounds like without Layne Staley. The reunited band’s first studio record since 1995 will hit stores on September 29. (Which, interestingly enough, may or may not be one week after Pearl Jam’s new album drops.)
Per the press release:
“ALICE IN CHAINS have revealed the title of their highly anticipated upcoming album and confirmed its release date. The record, titled BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE (Virgin/EMI) will arrive in stores on September 29th.
BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE is the band’s first new studio release in more than 10 years. The quartet (vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney, bassist Mike Inez and vocalist/guitarist William DuVall) recorded the album with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters) at Studio 606 in Northridge, CA and Henson Studios in Hollywood.”
Will the classic Seattle band show their native city some love to commemorate the release? No word yet, but the guys are playing elsewhere between now and then.
“On July 18th, Alice In Chains will be sharing the stage with Kid Rock at Comerica Park in Detroit, to be followed by festival shows with Metallica overseas, including an August 1 date at Marlay Park in Dublin and an August 2 show at the Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth. They’ll wrap up the European trip with a string of headlining shows (dates listed below). This marks the band’s first appearance in Europe since the summer of ’06.”
Lest you forget AIC’s place in music history, the band “sold more than 17 million albums worldwide, wrote and recorded 11 top 10 hit singles and stood atop Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart with two No. 1 records.” They produced two of the best records of their era, too—1992’s polar opposites Dirt (crunchy, heavy, dark) and Sap (acoustic, beautiful, dark). And they were fronted by one of the most enigmatic and talented singers to ever grab a mic.
It’s not hard to understand why Layne Staley’s remaining bandmates would want to continue making music together, but it is difficult to see a news blast about Alice in Chains that doesn’t mention his name. And it will be odd to hear William DuVall’s vaguely Staley-like vocals on Black Gives Way to Blue. Still, it has potential to be a decent, if not great, rock album.
June 14th, 2009 at 7:48 am
“Still, it has potential to be a decent, if not great, rock album.”
Gee thanks. Have you heard it then? No? What a stupid thing to say.
Listen without prejudice.
June 14th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Yeah. My point exactly, Uli.