It’s been 10 years since Alice In Chains have released a studio album and I think it’s safe to say that it was well worth the wait. This is an album not force fed by a record company or some comeback album money-making scheme so the Chains can feature on the next MTV Cribbs… No sir-ree-bob!!! This is one of those moments you can officially look up to the metal gods and goddesses and scream with all your might… “FUCK YESSSS!!!”

Taking that original raw Seattle sound that we all miss and love so much to the next level. With over 14 million albums in the United States, the sounds off this album are not only iconic to 90’s rock era but they have been injected with new energy and new recoding methods that were never available 10 years ago. The end result is the most crystal clear Alice In Chains recording ever – and let’s face it we probably won’t be hearing anything of this style for years to come so consider your self lucky, cause I sure do.

The band started recording Black Gives Way to Blue October 23, 2009 in Studio 606… If you’re thinking, Why do I know that name?… that’s because its owned by the Foo Fighters themselves and metal bands such as Stone Sour, Trivium, Shadows Fall among and others have all been honour with the use of the studio and producer Nick Raskulinecz.

This albums combination of melodic and soulful vocals from new singer William Du Vall, screaming guitar tones from one of the best rock guitarist and song writers of the 90s Jerry Cantrell you can tell right off the bat they work brilliantly together. Then you have the raw punchy bass tone by Mike Inez working hand in hand with the most solid drumming since Josh frees joined perfect circle, Mr Sean Kinney. Simply, this is a great combination of musicians and it’s definitely safe to say a new era for the band since the passing of their dear friend and original singer Layne Staley.

Did you know…?
Alice in Chains has received six Grammy nominations. The band’s first Grammy nomination occurred when Man in the Box was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1992. Alice in Chains has also received Grammy nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance for the band’s 1992 album Dirt, single I Stay Away from 1994’s Jar of Flies, tracks Grind and Again from the band’s 1995 self-titled album, and the 1999 track Get Born Again. The music video for the song Would?, Alice in Chains’ contribution to the 1992 film, Singles, won the award for Best Video from a Film at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards.