This was a post I wrote on a metal news website back in 2006:
I've read recent news that Alice in Chains is planning on re-grouping with a new singer and continuing on under the name AIC to record and tour. I just want to say that Alice's music is WAY sacred to me, in that their music is part of the soundtrack to my own adolescence; music that re-connects me with a time in my life when I was learning, struggling with school, trying to overcome personal insecurities and figuring out who I was.
AIC's Dirt is probably THE drug album of the nineties. To me, the music didn't glorify the taking or abusing of drugs, it provided an personal & honest reality of them. These guys went down that road and wrote music about those experiences. Dark, intense, personal, and genuine music that probably accurately conveys what it’s like to be depressed and caught in the throes of an incredibly addictive substance. (That's not imply that all Alice's songs were centered on drugs though).
The state of the band after Layne died reminded me of Bon Scott and how AC/DC carried on after losing their frontman. Bon died, and within the very same year (1980), Angus, Malcolm & co. released one of the most behemoth rock albums of all time. That was AC/DC immediately getting back up after getting seriously knocked down and saying, "We're not fucking giving up, put this in your pipe and smoke it."
AIC's last album of original material was released in 1995 – over TEN years ago. And now the name Alice In Chains is revived? Why? Don't get me wrong, any true fan knows that Cantrell was always the engine within AIC, so if anyone has the right to raise this banner again, it’s Jerry. If Cantrell, Kinney & Inez continue to perform & write music together with whatever vocalist - totally cool. Cover the old Alice tunes for sure! I would love to hear it. But, in my opinion when Layne Staley died, an irreplaceable part of Alice In Chains died as well.
I can let Alice go. They were what they were; One of the most important bands of the 90's. True musicians with talent, style, originality & direction. Their music still owns 95% of what comes out these days. AIC was something that meant a lot more to me than just a 'rock band'. I guess I just don't want that legacy tarnished in any way.
LS & AIC - RIP
Fast forward to now:
Alice in Chains did indeed resurrect itself with a singer named William Duvall replacing the legend that was Layne Staley. They've now recorded 3 awesome albums with William on vocals and I can honestly say that I've never been so happy to have been proven wrong. These guys have never put out a bad record. I'd go so far as to put all 8 of their studio albums & EP's in my top 50 records of all time - y'know, the whole desert island thing. I need 50 albums for that...
Their latest album 'Rainier Fog' came out late August 2018 and is such a great record. 'Fly' is one of my favorite tunes they've ever written. I got into these guys in a big way in 1992 when Dirt came out; I loved the heaviness, the vocals, their attitude and Jerry Cantrell became one of my guitar idols. I listened to that CD front to back over and over and over. Then came the Jar of Flies EP & the 'Tripod' album. Truly a soundtrack to my teen years; I have so many memories connected with their music.
Now being all-growed-up and still listening to these guys, I shake my head at just how damn good they are. I mean, how does a group stay so insanely good after losing one of the best front-men & vocalists of all time?? It's a testament to them sticking to their guns, never giving up, crazy amounts of practice, jamming, songwriting and focus. They've been doing this for well over 30 years now: THAT's how you get that good - you devote your life to the craft. That's what these guys did & still do.
From Seattle's big 4 that emerged in the 90's (AIC, Nirvana, Pearl Jam & Soundgarden) Alice were always the heaviest, darkest, funniest (see below mockumentary vid if you’ve got 10 minutes), and by far - in my opinion - the BEST. They’re touring North America this Spring & Summer; do yourself a solid and go see this band live.
Ten million….