Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains (often abbreviated as AIC) is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney,[1] who later recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne Staley.[1][2][3] Starr was replaced by Mike Inez in 1993.[4] William DuVall joined the band in 2006 as co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, replacing Staley, who died in 2002. The band took its name from Staley's previous group, the glam metal band Alice N' Chains.[5][2]
Alice in Chains | |
---|---|
Alice in Chains performing in September 2007. From left to right: William DuVall, Sean Kinney and Jerry Cantrell (Mike Inez is out of frame). | |
Background information | |
Also known as | AIC |
Origin | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active |
|
Labels | |
Associated acts |
|
Website | aliceinchains |
Members | |
Past members |
Although widely associated with grunge music, Alice in Chains' sound incorporates heavy metal elements. The band is known for its distinctive vocal style,[6] which often included the harmonized vocals between Staley and Cantrell[7] (and later Cantrell and DuVall).[8][9] Cantrell started to sing lead vocals on the 1992 acoustic EP Sap, and his role continued to grow in the following albums, making Alice in Chains a two-vocal band.[7][8][9]
Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, along with other Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. They achieved success during the era with the albums Facelift (1990), Dirt (1992), Alice in Chains (1995), as well as the EP Jar of Flies (1994). Although never officially disbanding, Alice in Chains was plagued by extended inactivity from 1996 onward, due to Staley's substance abuse, which resulted in his death in 2002. The band toured in 2006, with DuVall taking over as lead vocalist full-time.[10] The new line-up have released the albums Black Gives Way to Blue (2009), The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013), and Rainier Fog (2018).
Alice in Chains have sold over 30 million records worldwide,[11] and over 14 million records in the US alone.[12] The band has had 18 Top 10 songs on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart,[13] 5 No. 1 hits,[13] and received 11 Grammy Award nominations.[14][15][16] The band was ranked number 34 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock and was ranked as the 15th greatest live band by Hit Parader. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released six studio albums, three EPs, three live albums, four compilations, two DVDs, 43 music videos,[17][18] and 32 singles.
History
1984–1989: Formation and early years
Before the formation of Alice in Chains, then-drummer[19][20] Layne Staley landed his first gig as a vocalist when he auditioned to sing for a local glam metal band known as Sleze after receiving some encouragement from his stepbrother Ken Elmer.[19][20] Other members of this group at that time were guitarists Johnny Bacolas and Zoli Semanate, drummer James Bergstrom, and bassist Byron Hansen.[19] This band went through several lineup changes culminating with Nick Pollock as their sole guitarist and Bacolas switching to bass before discussions arose about changing their name to Alice in Chains.[21] This was prompted by a conversation that Bacolas had with Russ Klatt, the lead singer of Slaughter Haus 5,[22] about backstage passes.[21] One of the passes said "Welcome to Wonderland", and they started talking about that being a reference to Alice in Wonderland, until Klatt said, "What about Alice in Chains? Put her in bondage and stuff like that."[23] Bacolas thought the name "Alice in Chains" was cool and brought it up to his Sleze bandmates and everyone liked it, so they decided to change the name of the band.[23] Due to concerns over the reference to female bondage, the group ultimately chose to spell it differently as Alice N' Chains to allay any parental concerns,[23] though Staley's mother Nancy McCallum has said she was still not happy with this name at first.[21] According to Bacolas, the decision to use the apostrophe-N combination in their name had nothing to do with the Los Angeles band Guns N' Roses.[24] The name change happened in 1986, a year before Guns N' Roses became a household name with their first album Appetite for Destruction, released in July 1987.[24]
Staley met guitarist Jerry Cantrell at a party in Seattle around August 1987.[25][26] A few months before that, Cantrell had watched a concert of Staley's then-band, Alice N' Chains, in his hometown at the Tacoma Little Theatre, and was impressed by his voice.[27] Cantrell was homeless after being kicked out of his family's house,[28] so Staley invited Cantrell to live with him at the rehearsal studio Music Bank, and the two struggling musicians became roommates.[26][1]
Alice N' Chains soon disbanded, and Staley joined a funk band.[2] Cantrell's band, Diamond Lie, broke up and he wanted to form a new band, so Staley gave him the phone number of Melinda Starr, the girlfriend of drummer Sean Kinney, so that Cantrell could talk to him.[1] Cantrell called the number and set up a meeting with Kinney.[1] Kinney and his girlfriend went to the Music Bank and listened to Cantrell's demos, who mentioned that they needed a bass player to jam with them, and he had someone in mind: Mike Starr, with whom Cantrell had played in a band in Burien called Gypsy Rose.[1] Kinney then mentioned that his girlfriend was actually Mike Starr's sister, and that he had been playing in bands together with Starr since they were kids.[1] Kinney called Starr and a few days later he started jamming with him and Cantrell at the Music Bank, but they didn't have a singer.[1]
Staley's funk band also required a guitarist at the time, and Staley asked Cantrell to join as a sideman.[2][26] Cantrell agreed on condition that Staley join his band. Because Cantrell, Starr and Kinney wanted Staley to be their lead singer, they started auditioning terrible lead singers in front of Staley to send a hint.[26][1][3] The last straw for Staley was when they auditioned a male stripper – he decided to join the band after that.[1] Eventually the funk project broke up, and in 1987 Staley joined Cantrell's band on a full-time basis.[26] Two weeks after the band's formation, they were playing a gig at the University of Washington, trying to fill out a 40-minute set with a couple of original songs along with Hanoi Rocks and David Bowie covers.[3]
The band played a couple of gigs in clubs around the Pacific Northwest, calling themselves different monikers, including Diamond Lie,[29] the name of Cantrell's previous band,[30] and "Fuck",[1] before eventually adopting the name that Staley's previous band had initially flirted with, Alice in Chains.[1][31][32] Staley contacted his former bandmates and asked for permission to use the name.[33] Nick Pollock wasn't particularly thrilled about it at the time and thought he should come up with a different name, but ultimately both he and James Bergstrom gave Staley their blessing to use the name.[33]
Local promoter Randy Hauser became aware of the band at a concert and offered to pay for demo recordings. However, one day before the band was due to record at the Music Bank studio in Washington, police shut down the studio during the biggest cannabis raid in the history of the state.[31] The final demo, completed in 1988, was named The Treehouse Tapes and found its way to the music managers Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver, who also managed the Seattle-based band Soundgarden. Curtis and Silver passed the demo on to Columbia Records' A&R representative Nick Terzo, who set up an appointment with label president Don Ienner. Based on The Treehouse Tapes, Terzo signed Alice in Chains to Columbia in 1989.[31] The band also recorded another untitled demo over a three-month period in 1989. This recording can be found on the bootleg release Sweet Alice.[34]
1990–1992: Facelift and Sap
Alice in Chains soon became a top priority of the label, which released the band's first official recording in July 1990, a promotional EP called We Die Young. The EP's lead single, "We Die Young", became a hit on metal radio. After its success, the label rushed Alice in Chains' debut album into production with producer Dave Jerden.[35] Cantrell stated the album was intended to have a "moody aura" that was a "direct result of the brooding atmosphere and feel of Seattle".[36]
The resulting album, Facelift, was released on August 21, 1990, peaking at number 42 in the summer of 1991 on the Billboard 200 chart.[37] Facelift was not an instant success, selling under 40,000 copies in the first six months of release, until MTV added "Man in the Box" to regular daytime rotation.[38] The single hit number 18 on the Mainstream rock charts, with the album's follow up single, "Sea of Sorrow", reaching number 27,[13] and in six weeks Facelift sold 400,000 copies in the US.[38] The album was a critical success, with Steve Huey of AllMusic citing Facelift as "one of the most important records in establishing an audience for grunge and alternative rock among hard rock and heavy metal listeners".[39] Sammy Hagar claimed he invited the band to tour with Van Halen after he saw the music video for "Man In The Box" on MTV.[40][41]
Facelift was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling a half-million copies[2] on September 11, 1991,[42] becoming the first album from Seattle's Grunge movement to be certified gold.[43] The band continued to hone its audience, opening for such artists as Iggy Pop,[44] Van Halen, Poison,[36] and Extreme.[38] Facelift has since been certified triple-platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of three million copies in the United States.[42]
The concert at the Moore Theatre in Seattle on December 22, 1990, was recorded and released on VHS on July 30, 1991 as Live Facelift'. It features five live songs and three music videos.[45] The home video has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 50,000 copies.[46]
In early 1991, Alice in Chains landed the opening slot for the Clash of the Titans tour with Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer, exposing the band to a wide metal audience but receiving mainly poor reception.[47] Alice in Chains was nominated for a Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy Award in 1992 for "Man in the Box" but lost to Van Halen for their 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.[14]
Following the tour, Alice in Chains entered the studio to record demos for its next album, but ended up recording five acoustic songs instead.[38] While in the studio, drummer Sean Kinney had a dream about "making an EP called Sap".[44] The band decided "not to mess with fate", and on February 4, 1992, Alice in Chains released their second EP, Sap.[48] The EP was released while Nirvana's Nevermind was at the top of the Billboard 200 charts, resulting in a rising popularity of Seattle-based bands, and of the term "grunge music".[38] Sap was certified gold within two weeks.[12] The EP features Cantrell on lead vocals on the opening track, "Brother",[49] and guest vocals by Ann Wilson from the band Heart, who joined Staley and Cantrell for the choruses of "Brother" and "Am I Inside".[49] The EP also features Mark Arm of Mudhoney and Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, who shared vocals with Staley and Cantrell on the song "Right Turn", credited to "Alice Mudgarden" in the liner notes.[50]
In 1992, Alice in Chains appeared in the Cameron Crowe film Singles, performing as a "bar band".[51] The band also contributed the song "Would?" to the film's soundtrack, whose video received an award for Best Video from a Film at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards.[52]
1992–1993: Dirt
In March 1992, the band returned to the studio. With new songs written primarily on the road, the material has an overall darker feel than Facelift, with six of the album's thirteen songs dealing with the subject of addiction.[53] "We did a lot of soul searching on this album. There's a lot of intense feelings."[53] Cantrell said, "We deal with our daily demons through music. All of the poison that builds up during the day we cleanse when we play."[32] On September 29, 1992, Alice in Chains released its second album, Dirt. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200[54] and since its release has been certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA,[12] making Dirt the band's highest selling album to date.[31][35] The album was a critical success, with Steve Huey of Allmusic praising the album as a "major artistic statement, and the closest they ever came to recording a flat-out masterpiece".[55] Chris Gill of Guitar World called Dirt "huge and foreboding, yet eerie and intimate", and "sublimely dark and brutally honest".[38]
—Jerry Cantrell in 2013[56]
Dirt spawned five top 30 singles, "Would?", "Rooster", "Them Bones", "Angry Chair", and "Down in a Hole",[13] and remained on the charts for nearly two years.[57] Alice in Chains was added as openers to Ozzy Osbourne's No More Tours tour. Days before the tour began, Layne Staley broke his foot in an ATV accident, forcing him to use crutches on stage.[38]
Starr left the band shortly after the Hollywood Rock concert in Rio de Janeiro on January 22, 1993,[58] stating that he wanted to spend more time with his family.[59] Staley told Rolling Stone in 1994 about Starr leaving the band, "It was just a difference in priorities. We wanted to continue intense touring and press. Mike was ready to go home."[60] Years later, Starr claimed that he was fired due to his drug addiction.[60][61]
Starr was replaced by former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Mike Inez.[4] Inez had met Alice in Chains during Ozzy Osbourne's No More Tours tour and became friends with them.[62] When the band was in Brazil, they called Inez to join them and he accepted.[63] Inez wanted to do the shows in Brazil and even got his immunization shots, but the band called him back telling that Starr wanted to do the last two shows in Brazil, so they would meet Inez in London instead.[63] Inez ended up getting sick with his vaccination shots for a couple of days.[63] Inez played his first concert with Alice in Chains on January 27, 1993 at the Camden Underworld in London.[63][64]
In April 1993, the band recorded two songs with Inez, "What the Hell Have I" and "A Little Bitter",[44] for the Last Action Hero soundtrack.[65] During the summer of 1993, Alice in Chains toured with the alternative music festival Lollapalooza, their last major tour with Staley.[66]
1993–1994: Jar of Flies
Following Alice in Chains' extensive 1993 world tour, Staley said the band "just wanted to go into the studio for a few days with our acoustic guitars and see what happened".[67] "We never really planned on the music we made at that time to be released. But the record label heard it and they really liked it. For us, it was just the experience of four guys getting together in the studio and making some music."[67]
Columbia Records released Alice in Chains' second acoustic-based EP, Jar of Flies, on January 25, 1994. Written and recorded in one week,[68] Jar of Flies debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first EP—and first Alice in Chains release—to top the charts.[44]
Paul Evans of Rolling Stone called the EP "darkly gorgeous",[69] and Steve Huey said, "'Jar of Flies' is a low-key stunner, achingly gorgeous and harrowingly sorrowful all at once."[70] Jar of Flies features Alice in Chains' first number-one single on the Mainstream Rock charts, "No Excuses". The second single, "I Stay Away", reached number ten on the Mainstream rock charts, while the final single "Don't Follow", reached number 25.[13] Jar of Flies has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA,[12] with over 2 million copies sold in the United States during its first year.[71][72] Jar of Flies received two Grammy nominations, Best Hard Rock Performance for "I Stay Away",[14] and Best Recording Package.[15]
After the release of Jar of Flies, Staley entered rehab for heroin addiction.[28] The band was scheduled to tour during the summer of 1994 with Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Danzig, and Fight, as well as a slot during Woodstock '94, but while in rehearsal for the tour, Staley began using heroin again.[73] Staley's condition prompted the other band members to cancel all scheduled dates one day before the start of the tour, putting the band on hiatus.[28][73] Alice in Chains was replaced by Candlebox on the tour.[74] Susan Silver's management office sent out a statement saying that the decision to withdraw from the Metallica tour and Woodstock was "due to health problems within the band".[75][76]
The band broke up for six months.[28] Kinney told Rolling Stone in 1996, "Nobody was being honest with each other back then. If we had kept going, there was a good chance we would have self-destructed on the road, and we definitely didn't want that to happen in public."[28]
1995–1996: Alice in Chains
While Alice in Chains was inactive during 1995, Staley joined the "grunge supergroup" Mad Season, which also featured Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, bassist John Baker Saunders from The Walkabouts, and Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin. Mad Season released one album, Above, for which Staley provided lead vocals and the album artwork. The album spawned a number-two single, "River of Deceit", as well as a home video release of Live at the Moore.[57]
In April 1995, Alice in Chains entered Bad Animals Studio in Seattle with producer Toby Wright, who had previously worked with Corrosion of Conformity and Slayer.[77] While in the studio, an inferior version of the song "Grind" was leaked to radio, and received major airplay.[44] On October 6, 1995, the band released the studio version of the song to radio via satellite uplink to stem excessive spread of taped copies of the song.[78]
On November 7, 1995, Columbia Records released the eponymous album, Alice in Chains,[77] which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200[44] and has since been certified triple platinum.[12] Of the album's four singles, "Grind", "Again", "Over Now", and "Heaven Beside You", three feature Cantrell on lead vocals. Jon Wiederhorn of Rolling Stone called the album "liberating and enlightening, the songs achieve a startling, staggering and palpable impact".[79]
On December 12, 1995, the band released the home video The Nona Tapes,[80] a mockumentary featuring interviews with the band members conducted by journalist Nona Weisbaum (played by Jerry Cantrell), and the music video for "Grind".[81]
The song "Got Me Wrong" unexpectedly charted three years after its release on the Sap EP. The song was re-released as a single on the soundtrack for the independent film Clerks in 1994, reaching number seven on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.[82] The band opted not to tour in support of Alice in Chains, adding to the rumors of drug abuse.[73][83]
Alice in Chains resurfaced on April 10, 1996, to perform their first concert in two and a half years for MTV Unplugged, a program featuring all-acoustic set lists.[84][85] The performance featured some of the band's highest charting singles, including "Rooster", "Down in a Hole", "Heaven Beside You", "No Excuses" and "Would?", and introduced a new song, "Killer Is Me", with Cantrell on lead vocals.[84] The show marked Alice in Chains' only appearance as a five-piece band, adding second guitarist Scott Olson.[84] A live album of the performance was released in July 1996, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200,[86] and was accompanied by a home video release, both of which received platinum certification by the RIAA.[12] Following the Unplugged concert, Alice in Chains performed "Again" on the TV show Saturday Night Special on April 20, 1996.[87] The band also made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman on May 10, 1996, performing the songs "Again" and "We Die Young".[88][89]
Alice in Chains performed four shows supporting the reunited original Kiss lineup on their 1996/97 Alive/Worldwide Tour, including the final live appearance of Layne Staley on July 3, 1996, in Kansas City, Missouri.[90] Shortly after the show, Staley was found unresponsive after he overdosed on heroin and was taken to the hospital.[91] Although he recovered, the band was forced to go on hiatus.[92]
1996–2004: Hiatus, side projects and death of Layne Staley
Although Alice in Chains never officially disbanded, Staley became a recluse, rarely leaving his Seattle condominium following the death of his ex-fiancée Demri Parrott due to a drug overdose on October 29, 1996.[93] "Drugs worked for me for years", Staley told Rolling Stone in February 1996, "and now they're turning against me ... now I'm walking through hell and this sucks. I didn't want my fans to think that heroin was cool. But then I've had fans come up to me and give me the thumbs up, telling me they're high. That's exactly what I didn't want to happen.."[28]
Unable to continue with new Alice in Chains material, Cantrell released his first solo album, Boggy Depot, in 1998, also featuring Sean Kinney and Mike Inez.[94] Cantrell and Kinney were also featured on Metallica's 1998 album Garage Inc., both were guest musicians in the track "Tuesday's Gone", a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd.[95]
In October 1998, Staley reunited with Alice in Chains to record two new songs, "Get Born Again" and "Died".[44] Originally intended for Cantrell's second solo album,[96] the songs were reworked by Alice in Chains and were released in the fall of 1999 on the box set, Music Bank. The set contains 48 songs, including rarities, demos, and previously released album tracks and singles.[31] The band also released a 15-track compilation titled Nothing Safe: Best of the Box, serving as a sampler for Music Bank, as well as the band's first compilation album; a live album, simply titled Live, released on December 5, 2000; and a second compilation, titled Greatest Hits in 2001.[97]
In November 1998, Layne Staley recorded a cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" with the supergroup Class of '99, formed by guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, bassist Martyn LeNoble, drummer Stephen Perkins, both from Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros, and keyboardist Matt Serletic. The song was featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 horror/sci-fi film, The Faculty.[98]
After they toured as part of Cantrell's solo band in 1998, Sean Kinney and Queensrÿche guitarist Chris DeGarmo formed a new band called Spys4Darwin. Mike Inez and Sponge lead vocalist Vin Dombroski joined the supergroup soon after. The band released their first and only album in 2001, a 6-track EP entitled Microfish.[99] In June 2001, Mike Inez joined Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society for the remaining dates of Ozzfest, following the departure of bassist Steve Gibb due to medical reasons.[100] Inez joined the band again for their West Coast and Japanese tour in 2003.[101]
By 2002, Cantrell had finished work on his second solo album, Degradation Trip. Written in 1998, the album's lyrical content focused heavily on what Cantrell regarded as the demise of Alice in Chains, which still remained evident as the album approached its June 2002 release. However, in March that year, Cantrell commented, "We're all still around, so it's possible [Alice in Chains] could all do something someday, and I fully hope someday we will."[102]
Reflecting on the band's hiatus in a 2011 interview, Kinney said that Staley wasn't the only one battling addiction. "He was the focal point, like singers are. So they'd single him out. But the truth was, it was pretty much everybody. I definitely had my hand firmly on the wheel going off the cliff. And the reason we pulled back – you know when you stop when you have two #1 records, it's not really the greatest career move – but we did that because we love each other and we didn't want to die in public. And I know for a fact in my heart that if we were to continue that I wouldn't be on the phone right now talking to you. I wouldn't have made it. I just wouldn't have."[103]
After a decade of battling drug addiction, Layne Staley was found dead in his condominium in Seattle on April 19, 2002. The autopsy and toxicology report on Staley's body revealed that he died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine, known as "speedball". The autopsy concluded that Staley died on April 5, two weeks before his body was found.[104][105] Cantrell dedicated his 2002 solo album, Degradation Trip, released two months after Staley's death, to his memory.[106] Mike Starr later claimed on Celebrity Rehab that he was the last person to see Staley alive, and admitted to feeling guilty about not calling 911 after Staley had warned him against it. "I wish I hadn't been high on benzodiazepine [that night], I wouldn't have just walked out the door", Starr said.[60][107]
Following Staley's death, Mike Inez joined Heart and toured and recorded with the band from 2002 through 2006.[108] Jerry Cantrell collaborated with several artists such as Heart,[109] Ozzy Osbourne,[110] and Damageplan.[109] In 2004, Cantrell formed the band Cardboard Vampyres along with The Cult guitarist Billy Duffy, Mötley Crüe and Ratt vocalist John Corabi, The Cult bassist Chris Wyse and drummer Josh Howser.[111]
On October 22, 2004, Sony BMG terminated their contract with Alice in Chains, 15 years after the band signed with the label, in 1989.[112]
2005–2008: Reunion shows and reformation
In 2005, Sean Kinney came up with the idea of doing a benefit concert for the victims of the tsunami disaster that struck South Asia in 2004. Kinney made calls to his former bandmates, as well as friends in the music community, such as former Alice in Chains manager Susan Silver. Kinney was surprised by the enthusiastic response to his idea.[113] On February 18, 2005, Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, and Sean Kinney reunited to perform for the first time in nine years at K-Rock Tsunami Continued Care Relief Concert in Seattle.[114] The band featured Damageplan vocalist Pat Lachman, as well as other special guests including Maynard James Keenan of Tool and Ann Wilson of Heart.[114] A few months after that experience, the band called Susan Silver and Cantrell's manager Bill Siddons and said they wanted to tour as Alice in Chains again.[115]
Alice in Chains was approached by the producers of the CBS reality show Rock Star about being featured on its second season, but the band turned the offer down.[116] In the show, aspiring singers competed to become the lead vocalist of a featured group.[116]
On March 10, 2006, the surviving members performed at VH1's Decades Rock Live concert, honoring fellow Seattle musicians Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart.[117] They played "Would?" with vocalist Phil Anselmo of Pantera and Down and bass player Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver,[118] and at the end of the performance Cantrell dedicated the show to Layne Staley and the late Pantera and Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell.[118] They also played "Rooster" with Comes with the Fall vocalist William DuVall and Ann Wilson.[119] The band followed the concert with a short United States club tour named "Finish What We Started",[120] several festival dates in Europe,[117][121] and a brief tour in Japan.[122] Duff McKagan again joined the band for the reunion tour, playing rhythm guitar on selected songs.[123] During the tour, the band played a 5-minute video tribute to Staley during the changeover from the electric to acoustic set.[124]
To coincide with the band's reunion, Sony Music released the long-delayed third Alice in Chains compilation, The Essential Alice in Chains, a double album that includes 28 songs.[125]
Jerry Cantrell met William DuVall in Los Angeles in 2000 through a mutual acquaintance who introduced Cantrell to Comes with the Fall's first album.[126] Cantrell started hanging out with the band and occasionally joined them onstage.[127] Between 2001 and 2002, Comes with the Fall was both the opening act on Cantrell's tour for his second solo album, Degradation Trip, and also his backing band,[126][128] with DuVall singing Staley's parts at the concerts.[129] DuVall joined Alice in Chains as lead singer during the band's reunion concerts in 2006,[130][131] and made his first public performance with the band at VH1's Decades Rock Live concert.[132] According to Cantrell, it only took one audition for DuVall to get the gig.[133] For his first rehearsal with the band, DuVall sang "Love, Hate, Love". After they finished, Sean Kinney looked at his bandmates and said, "I think the search is pretty much over."[134] According to Mike Inez, DuVall didn't try to emulate Staley, and that's what drew them to him.[135]
Cantrell revealed that before he suggested DuVall for the band, Sean Kinney and Mike Inez invited Sponge and Spys4Darwin lead vocalist Vin Dombroski to jam with the band in their rehearsal space. Dombroski jammed with them to a couple of songs but they did not feel he was right for the band.[136] According to Cantrell, Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver lead singer Scott Weiland was also interested in joining the band.[133]
Cantrell explained the reunion saying, "We want to celebrate what we did and the memory of our friend. We have played with some [singers] who can actually bring it and add their own thing to it without being a Layne clone. We're not interested in stepping on [Staley's] rich legacy. It's a tough thing to go through. Do you take the Led Zeppelin approach and never play again, because the guy was that important? That's the approach we've taken for a lot of years. Or, do you give it a shot, try something? We're willing to take a chance on it. It's completely a reunion because the three of us who're left are back together. But it's not about separating and forgetting — it's about remembering and moving on."[116] Before the tour, Kinney mentioned in an interview that he would be interested in writing new material, but not as Alice in Chains.[116]
During the VH1 Rock Honors concert honoring Heart on May 12, 2007, Alice in Chains performed Heart's "Barracuda" fronted by country singer Gretchen Wilson. Heart's guitarist Nancy Wilson also joined them onstage.[137]
Alice in Chains joined Velvet Revolver for a run of U.S. and Canadian gigs from August through October 2007.[138] During that tour, the band also performed four special acoustic-only shows, named as "The Acoustic Hour".[139] The acoustic performance at The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 31, 2007 was recorded for an upcoming live album.[140]
On November 2, 2007, Alice in Chains performed a four-song set at Benaroya Hall in Seattle for Matt Messina and the Symphony Guild's 10th anniversary benefit concert for the Seattle Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center. In addition to the band's original material, they also played a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" while backed by over 200 musicians, including the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and the Northwest Girlchoir.[141][142]
Sean Kinney said about the band's reunion: "I never called Jerry; he never called me, and said, 'Hey, let's get the band back together,' you know? We had been taking every step extremely cautious and slow, and just doing whatever feels right: If it's genuine and we're doing it for genuine reasons and we're all okay with it then we take a little step. None of us is broke. Nobody needs to be a rock dork, and you know, stroke their ego. I mean, we don't really operate like that. So as long as it felt good and from the right place and it's about making music and carrying on…."[103]
About the pressure being put on DuVall for replacing Staley as lead vocalist, Cantrell said, "To put all that weight on Will's shoulders is unfair. We're just figuring out how we work as a team. Although the band has changed, we've lost Layne, we've added Will, and there was no master plan. Playing again in 2005 felt right, so we did the next thing and toured. We did it step by step. It's more than just making music, and it always has been. We've been friends a long time. We've been more of a family than most, and it had to be okay from here", Cantrell said pointing to his heart.[143]
Former The Doors manager Bill Siddons and his management company, Core Entertainment, co-managed Alice in Chains with original manager Susan Silver from 2005 to 2007.[144][145]
The band started writing and demoing songs for a new album with DuVall in April 2007.[146] But the band did not show further signs of progress until October 2008, when they announced that they had begun recording with producer Nick Raskulinecz in the studio.[147]
2008–2011: Black Gives Way to Blue and death of Mike Starr
Blabbermouth.net reported on September 5, 2008 that Alice in Chains would enter the studio that October to begin recording a new album for a summer 2009 release.[148] On September 14, 2008, Alice in Chains performed at halftime during the Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers game at the CenturyLink Field (then-named Qwest Field) in Seattle. The 12-minute performance for a crowd of 67,000 people featured a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" accompanied by the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.[149]
In October 2008, Alice in Chains began recording its fourth studio album at the Foo Fighters' Studio 606 in Los Angeles with producer Nick Raskulinecz.[147] The band did not have a record label at the time and the album was funded by Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney.[150][3] At the Revolver Golden God Awards, Cantrell said that the group had finished recording on March 18, 2009 and were mixing the album for a September release.[151] The recording process was completed on Cantrell's 43rd birthday and also the same day that William DuVall's son was born.[151] In April 2009, it was reported that the new Alice in Chains album would be released by Virgin/EMI,[152] making it the band's first label change in its 20-plus year career. Susan Silver, who started managing Alice in Chains in 1988, now co-manages the band with David Benveniste and his Velvet Hammer firm.[152]
On June 11, 2009, Blabbermouth.net reported that the new album would be titled Black Gives Way to Blue and was officially set to be released on September 29, 2009.[153] The title first appeared on Amazon.com without any prior announcement from the band.[154] In addition, it was announced that Elton John plays piano on the title track, a tribute to Layne Staley written and sung by Cantrell.[155] The album features new vocalist and rhythm guitarist William DuVall sharing vocal duties with lead guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, who sings lead vocals on most of the songs.[156][8][157] DuVall sings lead vocals on the song "Last of My Kind".[8][158]
On June 30, 2009, the song "A Looking in View" was made available for purchase via iTunes and Amazon,[159] and for a limited time it was available as a free download through the official Alice in Chains website in early July.[160] Although it was not the album's first radio single, Rock stations across the U.S. started playing the song.[161] The music video for "A Looking in View" debuted via the band's official website on July 7, 2009.[162] The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.[14]
"Check My Brain" was released to radio stations as the first official single from the album on August 14, 2009,[163] and was made available for purchase on August 17, 2009.[164] The music video for "Check My Brain" premiered on September 14, 2009.[165] The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.[14]
To promote the album, the band released an EPK featuring all four of the members being interviewed while the Kiss makeup is being applied on them.[166][167] An app for iPhone was released on October 27, 2009, featuring songs, music videos, news, photos and networking.[168]
Sean Kinney said about the new album and the fans' mixed reactions about the band moving on after Staley's death: "Look, it's a big move to fucking stand up and move on. Some people, the music connected with them so strongly, their opinions, how they feel about it ... It's amazing that they have such a connection but they seem to act like it happened to them. This happened to us and Layne's family, not them. This is actually our lives. If we're okay with it, why can't you be? This happened to us, this didn't happen to you. But this album isn't about that, it's a bigger universal point. We're all going to fucking die, we're all going to lose somebody, and it fucking hurts. How do you move on? This record is us moving on, and hurting. That, to me, is a victory. I already feel like I've won."[143] "Sometimes people ask us, 'Wouldn't Layne have been pissed off that we did this?' And I tell them it would have been the opposite: he would have been pissed off that it took us so long to do this. We're not doing this for money; there is no money in the music business anymore. Jerry and I funded the whole album, and we spent lots of our own money, because we believe in this. And one of the reasons I'm doing this is so more light is turned on to something where the light was turned off."[3] And Cantrell added: "We've toured around the world, we've lost some friends, we buried a dear friend, and somebody that you just can't fucking replace, and then we've chosen by circumstance to get together again. That turned into 'maybe we can fucking do this.' And that turned into this."[3]
In September 2008, it was announced that Alice in Chains would headline Australia's Soundwave Festival in 2009, alongside Nine Inch Nails and Lamb of God.[169] In February 2009, it was also announced that Alice in Chains would play at the third annual Rock on the Range festival.[170] On August 1, 2009, Alice in Chains performed, along with Mastodon, Avenged Sevenfold, and Glyder, at Marlay Park, Dublin as direct support to Metallica.[171] The band made an appearance on Later... with Jools Holland on November 10, 2009, performing "Lesson Learned", "Black Gives Way to Blue", and "Check My Brain" as the final performance of the episode.[172]
To coincide with the band's European tour, Alice in Chains released its next single, "Your Decision", on November 16, 2009 in the UK and on December 1 in the US.[173][174] The last single from the album was "Lesson Learned", and it was released to rock radio on June 22, 2010.[175]
Black Gives Way to Blue debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.[176] On May 18, 2010, the album was certified gold by the RIAA[12] for selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S.[177] The singles "Check My Brain" and "Your Decision" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks, while "Lesson Learned" reached No. 4.[13] "Check My Brain" was also the band's first #1 song on the Alternative Songs chart,[178] and on the Hot Rock Songs chart,[179] it also reached No. 92 on Billboard's Hot 100, becoming the band's first single to appear on the chart.[180]
Along with Mastodon and Deftones, Alice in Chains toured the United States and Canada in late 2010 on the Blackdiamondskye tour, an amalgam of the three bands' latest album titles (Black Gives Way to Blue, Diamond Eyes, and Crack the Skye).[181]
On March 8, 2011, former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr was found dead at his home in Salt Lake City. Police told Reuters they were called to Starr's home at 1:42 pm and found his body; Starr was 44. Reports later surfaced that Starr's roommate had seen him mixing methadone and anxiety medication hours before he was found dead. Later reports indicated Starr's death may have been linked to two different types of antidepressants prescribed to him by his doctor.[182][183][184] A public memorial was held for Starr at the Seattle Center's International Fountain on March 20, 2011.[185] A private memorial was also held, which Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney attended according to Mike Inez.[186]
2011–2016: The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
On March 21, 2011, Alice in Chains announced that they were working on a fifth studio album,[187][188] and both Cantrell and Inez later made statements that they had begun the recording process. The album was expected to be finished by summer of 2012 and released by the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013. While Alice in Chains were writing for the album in 2011, Cantrell underwent surgery on his right shoulder, which delayed recording the new material. In an interview published in May 2012, Cantrell explained, "The thing that set me back is I had some bone spurs [and] cartilage issues in my shoulders. I had the same issue in the other shoulder about six years ago so I've had them both done now. It's a repetitive motion injury from playing."[189] Cantrell could not play guitar for eight months while he was recovering from surgery.[190] While recuperating at home in a sling, Cantrell heard a riff in his head and sang it into his phone.[191] The riff later became the song "Stone".[192]
Alice in Chains played their first concert in nearly 10 months and their first concert after Cantrell's shoulder surgery on August 13, 2011 at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.[193] The band played three more concerts in 2011, at Canada's Rock on the Range festival, Chile's Maquinaria festival and Brazil's SWU festival.[194]
Alice in Chains' only concert in 2012 was a five-song acoustic set on May 31 at the eighth annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert honoring Jerry Cantrell.[195]
On December 4, 2012, Cantrell confirmed that the new album had been completed.[196] The first single, "Hollow", debuted online on December 18, available for digital download in January 2013, along with an official music video.[197][198][199] On February 13, 2013, Alice in Chains posted on Facebook that their new album title would be an anagram of the letters H V L E N T P S U S D A H I E E O E D T I U R R.[200] The next day they announced that the album would be called The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here,[201] which was released on May 28, 2013,[202] debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.[54]
To promote the album, Alice in Chains teamed up with Funny or Die for an 11-minute mockumentary titled AIC 23, in which Film Studies professor Alan Poole McLard (played by W. Earl Brown) attempts to make a documentary on Alice in Chains without any help from the actual band, interviewing other musicians instead. Among them are country singer Donnie 'Skeeter' Dollarhide Jr. (played by Jerry Cantrell), Reggae singer Nesta Cleveland (played by William DuVall), Black Metal musician Unta Gleeben Glabben Globben Globin (played by Mike Inez) and the hipster Stanley Eisen (played by Sean Kinney).[203] The video was released on April 3, 2013 and also features cameos by Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart, Mike McCready from Pearl Jam, Kim Thayil from Soundgarden, Duff McKagan from Guns N' Roses, Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher from Mastodon, and Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo from Metallica.[204]
In June 2013, the band released a pinball game app for iOS as part of Pinball Rocks HD compilation, featuring the single "Hollow", the band's logo and the album artwork, as well as references to the band's previous albums such as Jar of Flies and the self-titled record.[205]
The band released videos for the songs "Hollow", "Stone", "Voices", the title track and "Phantom Limb".[206] "Hollow"[207] and "Stone" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks,[208] while "Voices" reached No. 3,[209] and each one of the three songs stayed on the chart for 20 weeks.[13] The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical in 2014.[16]
Alice in Chains toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, and Europe in 2013 and 2014.[210][211][212] In May 2013, the band co-headlined the annual MMRBQ festival with Soundgarden in Camden, New Jersey.[213] Asked in September 2013 if Alice in Chains would make another album, Cantrell replied, "It'll be a while. It's [been] four years since we put the last one out, but at least it's not the gap that was between the last one, so that's about right - about three to four years."[214]
On January 18, 2015, Alice in Chains performed in the halftime show of the NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.[215] Cantrell is a lifelong Seahawks fan and often attends their games.[216] In August 2015, Bassist Mike Inez said that the band had been "throwing around riffs for a new record" and "taking it nice and slow".[217] The band toured in the summer of 2015[218] and the summer of 2016, including select shows opening for Guns N' Roses as part of the Not in This Lifetime... Tour.[219] The band finished their 2016 tour with a concert at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada on October 8, 2016.[220]
In November 2016, Alice in Chains released a cover of the Rush song "Tears",[221] which was included in the 40th anniversary release of the album 2112.[222] The home video Live Facelift was released on vinyl for the first time on November 25, 2016, as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday event.[223] The album features six songs and only 5000 copies were issued.[224]
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Record Store Day, on April 22, 2017 Legacy Recordings released "Get Born Again"/"What The Hell Have I", a special 45 RPM double 7" single featuring four tracks remastered and available on vinyl for the first time, "What The Hell Have I", "A Little Bitter", "Get Born Again" and "Died".[225]
2017–present: Rainier Fog
In January 2017, Mike Inez stated in an interview that the band had begun work on a new album.[226] In June 2017, it was reported that the band would return to Studio X (formerly Bad Animals Studios) in Seattle to record a new album later that month, for a tentative early 2018 release. The sessions were helmed by Nick Raskulinecz, who produced the band's last two albums.[227] Studio X was the studio where Alice in Chains recorded its 1995 self-titled album.[227] According to Inez, the band was not signed to a label, having completed its previous two-record contract with the Universal Music Group. "This [upcoming album], we're not sure where it's gonna land ... I mean, we financed ['Black Gives Way To Blue'] on our own too, so we're not too worried about that stuff. We've just gotta get it out to ... a significant label [with worldwide distribution]."[227]
The band started recording their sixth studio album on June 12, 2017.[228] On January 11, 2018, producer Nick Raskulinecz announced via Instagram that the album was nearly finished and that there was only one more day left of recording.[229] During an interview with Guitar World published on April 11, 2018, Jerry Cantrell said that the album was recorded at four studios. After recording at Studio X in Seattle, the band went to Nashville to record vocals and lead guitars at Nick Raskulinecz's home studio. But Cantrell had to take an unexpected break from work for a couple of weeks after getting sick on a trip to Cabo for Sammy Hagar's birthday. Cantrell had the band's engineer, Paul Figueroa, come in to his house and record a lot of his vocals and solos there. The band finished recording the album at the Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Cantrell also said he expects the album to be released "probably sometime this summer".[230]
At the press room of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 14, 2018, Cantrell revealed that Alice in Chains had just signed with BMG, and that they had finished mixing their new album.[231]
Alice in Chains did not perform live in 2017.[232] The band performed their first concert since October 2016[220] at the House of Blues in Boston on April 28, 2018.[233] In May 2018, Alice in Chains headlined the festivals Carolina Rebellion,[234] Lunatic Luau,[235] Pointfest,[236] Northern Invasion,[237] the WMMR BBQ festival in Philadelphia,[238] and the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio on May 18, 2018, in which they paid tribute to Chris Cornell on the first anniversary of his death covering two Soundgarden songs to close their set, "Hunted Down" and "Boot Camp", respectively. At the end of the show, the lights on stage spelled out "CC" for Chris Cornell and "SG" for Soundgarden as feedback rang out.[239][240] The band started their European tour in June 2018,[241] and headlined the Tons Of Rock Festival in Norway alongside Ozzy Osbourne and Helloween.[242] Alice in Chains are also scheduled to headline KISW's Pain in the Grass festival in August 2018.[243]
The band released a new single, "The One You Know", via Spotify, Amazon and iTunes on May 3, 2018.[244] A music video directed by Adam Mason was released on YouTube the same day.[244][245] "The One You Know" peaked at No. 9 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.[13]
During an interview with Eddie Trunk on Trunk Nation on May 7, 2018, Jerry Cantrell said that the new album would be released at the end of August 2018.[246] the band also revealed that they talked to director Adam Mason, who is making a dark sci-film, about doing two separate pieces of art and maybe molding them together, and that the music video for "The One You Know" is the first chapter of molding Mason's film and the band's music videos together.[246]
The second single, "So Far Under", was released on Alice in Chains' YouTube channel and on streaming platforms on June 27, 2018.[247] It was also announced that the album would be titled Rainier Fog, with the release date scheduled for August 24, 2018.[247] The album's artwork and the track listing were also revealed on the same day.[248] Jerry Cantrell told Rolling Stone that the title Rainier Fog was inspired by the Mount Rainier in Seattle, and the title track is a tribute to the Seattle music scene. "This song is a little homage to all of that: where we come from, who we are, all of the triumphs, all of the tragedies, lives lived."[249]
The album's third single, "Never Fade", was released on August 10, 2018 through digital and streaming services.[250] The song is a tribute dedicated to frontman William DuVall's grandmother, Chris Cornell, and Alice in Chains' original singer Layne Staley.[251][252] "Never Fade" peaked at No. 10 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.[13] A music video directed by Adam Mason was released on November 1, 2018 and continued the storyline from the music video of "The One You Know".[253]
In June 2018, William DuVall said in an interview with Swedish website Rocksverige that the music video for "The One You Know" is the first chapter of what the band is hoping will be visuals for all ten songs from the album Rainier Fog, and in addition to that, will be a companion piece to the film that director Adam Mason was shooting.[254]
On August 20, 2018, the baseball team Seattle Mariners hosted a special "Alice in Chains Night" at the Safeco Field in Seattle to promote Rainier Fog, with the team offering the fans a package that included a Safeco Field terrace club ticket, access to a pre-game listening party of the album, an Alice in Chains T-shirt and a Rainier Fog CD.[255] Jerry Cantrell also threw out the ceremonial first pitch and delivered a strike before the Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros game.[256]
To mark the launch of the album, on August 21, 2018, Alice in Chains performed an acoustic set at the top of Seattle's Space Needle and debuted the song "Fly".[257] Alice in Chains were the first band to perform on the Space Needle's new "Loupe" glass floor, the world's first and only revolving glass floor 500 feet high.[258] The concert was exclusive for an audience of SiriusXM subscribers.[257] SiriusXM broadcast the concert on their channel Lithium on August 31, 2018.[259]
On August 22, 2018, Alice in Chains sent fans on a Scavenger hunt to access a secret gig that the band would be performing in Seattle on August 24. Ten signed CD copies of Rainier Fog were hidden around the city as a ticket into the show, and the band asked the fans to keep an eye on their Instagram story for details on the 10 hidden locations. Once all 10 albums were found, the band revealed that the secret gig would be at the rock club The Crocodile, with limited tickets available with the purchase of their album at a pop-up event at the same venue the next day.[260] Preview clips of each of the album tracks were posted on the band's Instagram.[260]
The band also commemorated the release of the album with a pop-up museum installation at The Crocodile in Seattle on August 23 and 24. The museum featured rare Alice in Chains photos, limited-edition merchandise and memorabilia that showcased the band's 30+ year career.[261]
Rainier Fog debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 31,000 copies (29,000 in traditional album sales), in its first week of release. The album also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums, Alternative Albums and Hard Rock Albums charts,[262] and at No. 3 on the Vinyl Albums chart.[11] Rainier Fog became Alice in Chains' first top 10 in the UK, peaking at No. 9,[263] and topping UK's Rock & Metal Albums chart.[264] The album has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.[265]
On December 13, 2018, the teaser of the film Black Antenna featuring the song "Rainier Fog" was released on Alice in Chains' official YouTube channel, with drummer Sean Kinney stating; "We've always toyed with the idea of creating videos for every song on one of our albums. Not only did we do that for Rainier Fog, it got totally out of hand and we made a whole goddamn movie. Everything that will be seen in the videos will be footage from Black Antenna to preface the complete film's release.."[266] "Rainier Fog" was released as a single on February 26, 2019.[267] The official trailer for Black Antenna was released on Alice In Chains' YouTube Channel on February 28, 2019.[268] Besides a 90-minute film, a 10-part web-series focused on each track from the album will also be released. Episodes 1 and 2, "The One You Know" and "Rainier Fog", respectively, were released on March 7, 2019.[269] The tenth and last episode, "All I Am", was released on July 17, 2019.[270] The official music video for "Rainier Fog" was released on YouTube on May 15, 2019 and was co-directed by Alice in Chains and Peter Darley Miller, who also directed the band's 2013 mockumentary, AIC 23.[271]
Musical style
Although Alice in Chains has been labeled grunge by the mainstream media,[272] Jerry Cantrell identifies the band as primarily heavy metal. He told Guitar World in 1996, "We're a lot of different things ... I don't quite know what the mixture is, but there's definitely metal, blues, rock and roll, maybe a touch of punk. The metal part will never leave, and I never want it to."[273] The Edmonton Journal has stated, "Living and playing in Seattle might have got them the grunge tag, but they've always pretty much been a classic metal band to the core."[274]
Over the course of their career, the band's sound has also been described as alternative metal,[94][275][276] sludge metal,[277][278][279][280][281][282][283] doom metal,[284][285] drone rock,[286] hard rock,[94][287] and alternative rock.[94] Regarding the band's constant categorization by the media, Cantrell stated "When we first came out we were metal. Then we started being called alternative metal. Then grunge came out and then we were hard rock. And now, since we've started doing this again I've seen us listed as: hard rock, alternative, alternative metal and just straight metal. I walked into an HMV the other day to check out the placement and see what's on and they've got us relegated back into the metal section. Right back where we started!"[288] Drummer Sean Kinney rejects the grunge label, stating in a 2013 interview "I mean, before we first came out there was no grunge, they hadn't invented that word. Before they invented the word grunge we were alternative rock and alternative metal and metal and rock, and we didn't give a shit whatever, we were a rock and roll band!."[289] According to Mike Inez, they were always the metal stepchildren of the Seattle scene.[290]
The band are influenced to a great extent by English metal music; in 2018, Jerry Cantrell proclaimed Black Sabbath guitarist Tommy Iommi as "one of his biggest" inspirations,[291] whilst Layne Staley named his "first influences" as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.[288] Cantrell adjudged English rock singer Elton John as "the artist that made me want to be a musician".[291] In addition, members of Alice in Chains have cited artists including AC/DC,[291][292] The Beatles,[292] David Bowie,[292] Miles Davis,[293] Hanoi Rocks,[294] Jimi Hendrix,[295] King's X,[296] Kiss,[292] Led Zeppelin,[292] Pink Floyd,[292] Queensrÿche,[297] the Rolling Stones,[292] Scorpions,[298] Soundgarden,[299] U2,[293] UFO,[298] Van Halen,[298] and ZZ Top as influential or inspirational.[291]
Jerry Cantrell's guitar style combines "pummeling riffs and expansive guitar textures"[38] to create "slow, brooding minor-key grinds".[300] He is also recognized for his natural ability to blend acoustic and electric guitars. While down-tuned, distorted guitars mixed with Staley's distinctive "snarl-to-a-scream"[38] vocals appealed to heavy metal fans, the band also had "a sense of melody that was undeniable", which introduced Alice in Chains to a much wider audience outside of the heavy metal underground.[39]
According to Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic, Alice in Chains' sound has a "Black Sabbath-style riffing and an unconventional vocal style".[94] The band has been described by Erlewine as "hard enough for metal fans, yet their dark subject matter and punky attack placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands".[94] Three of the band's releases feature acoustic music, and while the band initially kept these releases separate, Alice in Chains' self-titled album combined the styles to form "a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers".[94]
Alice in Chains is also noted for the unique vocal harmonies of Staley (or DuVall) and Cantrell, which included overlapping passages, dual lead vocals, and trademark harmonies typically separated by a major third.[94] Cantrell said it was Staley who gave him the self-assurance to sing his own songs.[3] Alyssa Burrows said the band's distinctive sound "came from Staley's vocal style and his lyrics dealing with personal struggles and addiction".[301] Staley's songs were often considered "dark",[94] with themes such as drug abuse, depression, and suicide,[57] while Cantrell's lyrics often dealt with personal relationships.
Legacy
Alice in Chains has sold over 14 million records in the United States, and over 30 million records worldwide, released two number-one albums, had 23 top 40 singles, and has received eleven Grammy nominations.[14][16] The band was ranked number 34 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.[302] Alice in Chains was named 15th greatest live band by Hit Parader,[303] with vocalist Layne Staley placing as 27th greatest heavy metal vocalist of all time.[304] The band's second album, Dirt, was named 5th best album in the last two decades by Close-Up magazine in 2008.[305]
In October 2008, Guitar World ranked Jerry Cantrell's solo in "Man In The Box" at No. 77 on their list of "100 Greatest Guitar Solos".[306] In August 2009, Alice in Chains won the Kerrang! Icon Award.[307]
In November 2011, Jar of Flies was ranked number four on Guitar World magazine's top ten list of guitar albums of 1994.[308] It was also featured in Guitar World magazine's "Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994" list,[309] and in May 2014, the EP was placed at number five on Loudwire's "10 Best Hard Rock Albums of 1994" list.[310]
Pantera and Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell had expressed his admiration for Jerry Cantrell's guitar work in an interview for Guitar International in 1995, saying that "the layering and the honest feel that Jerry Cantrell gets on [Alice in Chains' Dirt] record is worth a lot more than someone who plays five million notes".[311]
Street musician Wesley Willis wrote a song about the band entitled "Alice in Chains", featured on his 1996 album Feel The Power.[312][313]
Billy Corgan revealed that the song "Bleeding The Orchid" from The Smashing Pumpkins' 2007 album Zeitgeist has a bit of an homage to Alice in Chains in the harmonies and was indirectly inspired by the death of Layne Staley.[314][315]
Elton John stated that he is a fan of Alice in Chains and a big admirer of Jerry Cantrell.[3][316] According to Jon Wiederhorn of MTV, Godsmack has "sonically followed Alice in Chains' lead while adding their own distinctive edge". Godsmack singer and founder Sully Erna has also cited Layne Staley as his primary influence.[317][318] Godsmack was named after the Alice in Chains song "God Smack" from the album Dirt.[319][320][321] Staind has covered Alice in Chains' song "Nutshell" live, which appears on the compilation The Singles: 1996-2006, and also wrote a song entitled "Layne", dedicated to Staley, on the album 14 Shades of Grey.[322] Three Days Grace also performs a cover of "Rooster", which can be seen on the DVD Live at the Palace. Other bands that have been influenced by Alice in Chains include Korn,[323] Creed,[324] Nickelback,[324] Taproot,[325] Stone Sour,[326] Puddle of Mudd,[324] Queens of the Stone Age,[327] Rains,[328] Theory of a Deadman,[329] A Pale Horse Named Death,[330] Smile Empty Soul,[331] Avenged Sevenfold,[332] Seether,[333][334] Incubus,[335] Hoobastank,[336] Mudvayne,[337] 10 Years,[338] Breaking Benjamin,[339] Days of the New,[324] Dallas Green,[340] and Tantric.[57] Metallica said they have always wanted to tour with the band, citing Alice in Chains as a major inspiration for their 2008 release, Death Magnetic.[341]
Alice in Chains has also had a significant influence on modern heavy metal. Their songs were covered by various metal bands such as In Flames,[342] Opeth,[343] Dream Theater,[344] Secrets of the Moon,[345] Suicide Silence,[346] 36 Crazyfists,[347] Cane Hill,[348] Ektomorf,[349] Dritt Skitt,[350] Grave[351] and Thou, who described their 2018 EP Rhea Sylvia as "a melodic grunge, Alice in Chains homage".[352] In 2009, Anders Fridén of Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames cited Layne Staley as an inspiration for his vocals on the band's later albums.[353] In addition to fellow musicians, the band has also received praise from critics, with Steve Huey of AllMusic calling them "one of the best metal bands of the '90s" upon reviewing the 1999 compilation Nothing Safe.[354]
In 2009, the Vitamin String Quartet released the album The String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains, featuring instrumental versions on viola, violin and cello of 12 of the band's biggest hits.[355][356]
In August 2015, journalist David de Sola published the biography Alice in Chains: The Untold Story.[357] An updated version covering the period from 2014 to 2017 was published in November 2018.[358] Neither the band nor their management had any involvement with the book. Sources tied directly to the band were interviewed instead.[359]
In June 2017, Metal Injection ranked Alice in Chains at number 1 on their list of "10 Heaviest Grunge Bands".[360] Ozzy Osbourne ranked Facelift at number 9 on his list of "10 Favorite Metal Albums".[361]
The claymation dolls of the band members used in the music video for "I Stay Away" are on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland, Ohio.[362][363]
Band members
Current members
|
Former members
|
Timeline
Discography
- Studio albums
- Facelift (1990)
- Dirt (1992)
- Alice in Chains (1995)
- Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
- The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013)
- Rainier Fog (2018)
Awards and nominations
References
- "Interview Alice In Chains - Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney about Layne Staley". YouTube. January 12, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains: Through the Looking Glass". Rolling Stone. November 26, 1992. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- "Interview: Jerry Cantrell Discusses Alice in Chain's 2009 Comeback, 'Black Gives Way to Blue'". Guitar World. January 10, 2013. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- "2006 band bio – Aliceinchains.com". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2006. Retrieved December 14, 2007.
- "Jerry Cantrell explains who is Alice and why is she in Chains". YouTube. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- "How Alice in Chains Found the Most Memorable Voice in Grunge". The Atlantic. April 5, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- "Jerry Cantrell Recalls How Alice in Chains Developed Their Twin-Vocal Sound". Diffuser.fm. April 25, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue". Consequence of Sound. September 29, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- "Rock solid: Alice in Chains continues to pack a punch". The Morning Call. August 15, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- "It's 'Too Early' To Talk About New Music From ALICE IN CHAINS, Says WILLIAM DUVALL". Blabbermouth. June 23, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
- "US: Alice In Chains debut atop US charts with new album". BMG.com. September 4, 2018.
- "American album certifications – Alice in Chains". RIAA. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains Chart History - Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains - Artist". Grammy.com. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- "The 37th Grammy Nominations". Los Angeles Times. January 6, 1995. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Grammys 2014: The complete list of nominees and winners". Los Angeles Times. January 26, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "Alice In Chains Official Music Videos (1989-2019)". YouTube. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- "Alice in Chains Videos - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- de Sola, David (April 5, 2012). "How Alice in Chains Found the Most Memorable Voice in Grunge". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- Prato, Greg (2009). Grunge is Dead. The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music. Toronto: ECW Press. pp. 210–1. ISBN 978-1-55490-347-4.
- Prato, Greg (2009). Grunge is Dead. The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music. Toronto: ECW Press. pp. 211–212. ISBN 978-1-55490-347-4.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. p. 45. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- Yarm, Mark (2011). Everybody Loves Our Town: A History of Grunge. London: Faber & Faber. p. 166. ISBN 9780571249862.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. p. 46. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. p. 66. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- "Layne Staley Interview Alice in Chains 1996 part 1 of 2". Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- "Intimate interview with Alice in Chains". Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- Wiederhorn, Jon (February 8, 1996). "To Hell and Back". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- "Diamond Lie Press Kit". Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- Interview Alice In Chains - Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney (part 2) on YouTube.
- Music Bank (Media notes). Columbia Records. 1999. 69580.
- Kleidermacher, Mordechai (July 1990). "Link With Brutality". Circus Magazine.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. p. 79. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- "Sweet Alice". Metal-archives.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- "Discography – Dirt". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
- Moses, Michael (September 1991). "Alice in Chains: Who is Alice and Why is She in Chains?". Rockbeat Magazine.
- "Alice in Chains "Facelift" Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- Gill, Chris (September 1999). "Dirt". Guitar World. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
- Huey, Steve. "Facelift". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. p. 152. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- "Sammy Hagar w/Jerry Cantrell & Billy Duffy "Man in the Box" live 2012". YouTube. November 3, 2012.
- "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- "How Alice in Chains Bridged Rock Eras With 'Facelift'". Ultimate Classic Rock. August 21, 2015. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- "Alice In Chains Timeline". SonyMusic.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 1999. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains - Live Facelift". AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains Guitarist Discusses 1990 Clash of the Titans tour, Touring With Ozzy". Blabbermouth. October 7, 2007. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
- "SAP CD". Warner Music. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- Alice in Chains - SAP (Media notes). Columbia Records. 1992.
- Right Turn (Media notes). Columbia Records. 1992. Buttnugget publishing/Jack Lord Music 67059.
- "Singles – Soundtracks and music scores". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- "1993 MTV Video Music Awards". Rockonthenet.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2007. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
- Turman, Katherine (February 1993). "Digging Dirt". RIP Magazine.
- "Alice in Chains Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- Huey, Steve. "Dirt". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- Dave Kerr (November 13, 2013). "A Looking In View: Jerry Cantrell on Alice in Chains' legacy". The Skinny. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- Wiederhorn, Jon (April 6, 2004). "Remembering Layne Staley: The Other Great Seattle Musician To Die On April 5". VH1. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
- "20 Years Later: Looking Back At Alice In Chains' 1993 European Tour And Mike Inez Replacing Mike Starr". Alternative Nation. January 22, 2013. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- "Mike Starr explains why he left Alice in Chains - 1993 Interview with MTV Brazil". Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- "Alice In Chains Bassist Mike Starr Dies At 44". Rolling Stone. March 9, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. pp. 191–194. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- "Jerry Cantrell & Mike Inez of Alice in Chains Join The RE Show in Studio - 8/14/17". YouTube. August 14, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- Yarm, Mark (2011). Everybody Loves Our Town: A History of Grunge. Faber & Faber. p. 400. ISBN 9780571249862.
- "Alice in Chains Concert Setlist at The Underworld, London on January 27, 1993". setlist.fm. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Last Action Hero – Soundtracks and music scores". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2007. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
- "20 years of Lollapalooza". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- Andrews, Rob (August 1994). "A Step Beyond Layne's World". Hit Parader.
- "Jar of Flies – Discography". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- Evans, Paul (March 24, 1994). "Jar of Flies". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- Huey, Steve. "Jar of Flies". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- "American album certifications – Alice in Chains – Jar of Flies". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- "Ask Billboard: Alice In Chains, Anthony Hamilton, Jay-Z". Billboard. October 10, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- Rothman, Robin (April 22, 2002). "Layne Staley Found Dead". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- "Atlantic, EMI Pub Weave New 'Tapestry'; Alice In Chains Cancels Summer Tour". Billboard. July 30, 1994. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. p. 212. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- "Hearing From Alice After Quiet Year, Alice In Chains Hammers Out New Album With The Hard And Heavy Sound Fans Will Appreciate". The Spokesman-Review. November 22, 1995. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- "Meldrum Working With Producer Toby Wright". Blabbermouth. April 26, 2006. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
- "Why October 6th Matters in Rock History". iHeartRadio. October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- Wiederhorn, Jon (November 30, 1995). "Alice in Chains: Alice in Chains review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- "Alice In Chains - The Nona Tapes". YouTube. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. pp. 234, 235, 236. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- "Clerks – Soundtracks and movie scores". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- Fischer, Blair R (September 4, 1998). "Malice in Chains?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- Perota, Joe (Director) (April 15, 1996). Unplugged – Alice in Chains (Television production). New York City: MTV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007.
- "Alice in Chains Concert Chronology: MTV Unplugged Session". John Bacus. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
- "Alice in Chains Unplugged Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Concert Setlist at Saturday Night Special, Los Angeles on April 20, 1996". setlist.fm. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains, "Again"/"We Die Young" ('Letterman,' 1996)". Rolling Stone. April 5, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Concert Setlist at Late Show With David Letterman, New York on May 10, 1996". setlist.fm. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains – Sold Out". Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
- "The Story of Alice in Chains' Last Show With Layne Staley". Diffuser.fm. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. p. 246. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- David de Sola (December 16, 2011). "Setting the Alice in Chains Record Straight". Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Alice in Chains - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "Garage Inc". Metallica.com.
- Michael Christopher (December 26, 2002). "Degradation Trip: An interview with Jerry Cantrell". PopMatters. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains.com – Discography". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. pp. 277–279. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- "Rockers Team Up in Spys4Darwin". ABC News. May 31, 2001. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- "Zakk Wylde Taps AIC's Inez For Ozzfest". MTV News. June 14, 2001.
- "Former OZZY/ALICE IN CHAINS Bassist To Tour With BLACK LABEL SOCIETY". Blabbermouth. March 5, 2003.
- Wiederhorn, Jon (March 20, 2002). "Jerry Cantrell Conjures Ghost Of Alice In Chains On New LP". MTV. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
- "Sean Kinney Of Alice In Chains: From The Ashes". Drum Magazine. July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- "Layne Staley Died From Mix Of Heroin, Cocaine, Report Says". MTV. May 7, 2002. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- Cross, Charles R. (June 6, 2002). "The last days of Layne Staley; Alice in Chains singer dies at thirty-four after long battle with heroin". ROLLING STONE no. 897.
- "Well Worth The Trip". Roadrunner Records UK. December 24, 2002. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2007.
- "Former Alice in Chains rocker Mike Starr dies". Reuters. March 8, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- "Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart at Walk of Fame Star Ceremony". heart-music.com. October 5, 2012. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- "Jerry Cantrell To Jam With Alice In Chains Bandmates". MTV. February 8, 2004.
- "Former ALICE IN CHAINS Guitarist Laying Down Tracks For New OZZY OSBOURNE Album". Blabbermouth. August 16, 2004.
- Jeckell, Barry A. (June 18, 2004). "Jerry Cantrell Forms New Band – Cardboard Vampyres". Glide Magazine.
- de Sola, David (August 4, 2015). Alice in Chains: The Untold Story. Thomas Dunne Books. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-1250048073.
- "Kinney drums up enthusiastic response for tsunami benefit". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. February 17, 2005. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- Hay, Travis (February 21, 2005). "Alice in Chains owns stage in tsunami-relief show full of surprises". Seattlepi.com. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
- "Putting The Band Back Together". PollstarPro. February 17, 2010. Archived from the original on February 4, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- Harris, Chris (February 23, 2006). "Remaining Alice In Chains Members Reuniting For Summer Gigs". MTV. Archived from the original on December 18, 2007. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: VH1 HEART Tribute Performance To Air Tonight". Blabbermouth. May 5, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "Phil Anselmo - Alice in Chains - Would?". YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Perform 'Rooster' On 'Decades Rock Live!': Video Available". Blabbermouth. May 8, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "Alice In Chains Live!". Illinois Entertainer. May 21, 2016.
- "Metallica man joins Alice in Chains". Rolling Stone. June 9, 2006. Archived from the original on June 13, 2006. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Confirm Japanese Tour Dates". Blabbermouth. April 29, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "Duff McKagan To Tour With Alice In Chains". Ultimate Guitar. April 11, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains - Layne Staley Tribute Video". YouTube. July 16, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "The Essential Alice in Chains". Aliceinchains.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- Culpan, Troy (October 9, 2009). "William DuVall of Alice In Chains". maytherockbewithyou.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- Radford, Chad (February 23, 2010). "With Alice in Chains, Atlanta punk icon William DuVall finds his audience". Atlanta Creative Loafing. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Banged Up But Still Unbreakable: Comes With the Fall". PopMatters. September 25, 2003. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- "Interview with Jerry Cantrell: Alice In Chains, Too Long On The Outside". The Aquarian. September 28, 2009. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Tap COMES WITH THE FALL's DUVALL For European Tour". Blabbermouth. April 5, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "Interview with Alice In Chains: The Return". The Aquarian. March 8, 2006. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- "William Duvall on How He Came to Be In Alice in Chains". YouTube. July 8, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- "Scott Weiland Wanted to Sing in Alice in Chains, Jerry Cantrell Explains". Ultimate Guitar. March 7, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "Sonisphere 09: Alice In Chains". YouTube. August 3, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "After tragedy, Alice in Chains celebrates a new chapter". PopMatters. February 23, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- "Let There Be Talk: Jerry Cantrell". YouTube. August 3, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- "VH1 Rock Honors 2007 Concert Review". Sleaze Roxx. May 20, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Velvet Revolver Team With Alice In Chains For Summer Tour". MTV News. May 22, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS To Play Four Acoustic Shows". Blabbermouth. July 24, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: Acoustic Show In Milwaukee Recorded For Upcoming Live Album". Blabbermouth. September 1, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS To Perform At Tonight's 'Symphony Legacy' In Seattle". Blabbermouth. November 2, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Performs LED ZEPPELIN Classic With Symphony Orchestra; Video Available". Blabbermouth. November 5, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains: "It hurts and you miss them, but you still have to live"". Classic Rock. September 16, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- "Surviving ALICE IN CHAINS Members Explore Ways To Perform Together Again". Blabbermouth. August 15, 2005. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Parts Ways With Management". Blabbermouth. December 4, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains Begins Writing New Material". Blabbermouth.net. April 26, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains Working with Rush/Foo Fighters Producer". Blabbermouth.net. October 23, 2008. Archived from the original on May 25, 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains To Enter Studio In October". Blabbermouth. September 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Performs LED ZEPPELIN's 'Kashmir' At Seattle's Qwest Field; Video Available". Blabbermouth. September 19, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- Zina Walschots, Natalie (May 30, 2013). "Alice in Chains". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
- "Alice In Chains Set To Release First Album In 14 Years". YouTube. April 10, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains Signs With Virgin/EMI". Blabbermouth. April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: New Album Title, Release Date Revealed". Blabbermouth. June 11, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: New Single, Video On The Way". Blabbermouth.net. May 28, 2010. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009.
- Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (August 11, 2009). "Alice In Chains Scores Elton John for Tribute Track". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
- "Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue". MusicFeeds. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "Album Review of Black Gives Way to Blue by Alice in Chains". Alternative Addiction. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "William Duvall To Sing Lead Vocals On New Alice In Chains Songs". Alternative Nation. January 18, 2013. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: New Song Available Via iTunes, Amazon". Blabbermouth. August 6, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Holding Back On Playing New Songs For Now". Blabbermouth. July 17, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Performs Three New Songs In London; Video Available". Blabbermouth. August 6, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: 'A Looking In View' Video Available". Blabbermouth. July 7, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: 'Check My Brain' Released To Radio; Audio Stream Available". Blabbermouth. August 14, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "Alice In Chains To Headline 99.5 Kiss Bone Bash In San Antonio". Bravewords. August 17, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- "'Check My Brain' Video to Premiere on Monday". Blabbermouth.net. September 11, 2009. Archived from the original on September 23, 2009. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- "Alice In Chains - EPK Promo". YouTube. September 17, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell + Sean Kinney Talk Festivals, 'AIC 23′ Mockumentary + Rock Hall". Loudwire. May 21, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains iPhone App Coming Oct. 27". Guitar World. October 26, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "NIN, Alice in Chains, Scars on Broadway, Lamb of God Confirmed For Australia's Soundwave". Blabbermouth. September 23, 2008. Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
- "Rock on the Range". AliceInChains.com. February 13, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
- "METALLICA: Dublin Support Acts Revealed". Blabbermouth. March 7, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS On 'Later ... With Jools Holland'; More Performance Footage Available". Blabbermouth. November 16, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
- "Alice In Chains To Release 'Your Decision' Single". Blabbermouth. October 12, 2009. Archived from the original on October 15, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
- "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases |". Allaccess.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- "Alice In Chains Select New Single". ThePRP.com. May 13, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
- "Barbra Streisand Surprises with Ninth No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard.com. October 7, 2009.
- "Alice In Chains Strikes Gold With 'Black Gives Way To Blue'". May 25, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains - Chart History - Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains - Chart History - Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Guitarist Talks 'BlackDiamondSkye' Tour". Blabbermouth. August 1, 2010. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
- Quinn, Ben (March 9, 2011). "Mike Starr, legendary Alice in Chains bass player, found dead". The Guardian.
- Goodman, Dean (March 8, 2011). "Former Alice in Chains rocker Mike Starr dies". Reuters.
- Metcalf, Jr. Dan (March 8, 2011). "Former 'Alice in Chains,' 'Celebrity Rehab' star dies in Salt Lake City". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 11, 2011.
- Allison, Melissa (March 20, 2011). "Memorial held for Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr". Seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- Wilkle, Jim (March 31, 2011). "ESPN Music's 2011 bass-ball preview Mike Inez". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- "Alice In Chains To Begin Work On New Album". Metalhammer.co.uk. March 21, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- "Alice in Chains Is Working On New Music, Says HEART's Ann Wilson". Blabbermouth. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- "Lessons Learned With Jerry Cantrell". May 30, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Jerry Cantrell takes over the KLOS airwaves with Melissa Maxx PT1 (November 12, 2014)". YouTube. November 12, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Jerry Cantrell humming Stone's melody". YouTube. June 6, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Through the good and the bad, Alice in Chains unbroken". Los Angeles Times. May 23, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS Ends 10-Month Break From Stage". Blabbermouth. August 22, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Concert Map by year: 2011". Setlist.fm.
- "Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell Honored with Stevie Ray Vaughan Award". Rolling Stone. June 1, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Guitarist Confirms Completion Of New ALICE IN CHAINS Album". Blabbermouth. December 5, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: New Song 'Hollow' To Make Its Online Debut In Two Weeks". Blabbermouth. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- "Alice in Chains Unleash New Single 'Hollow'". Loudwire.com. December 18, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- "Alice In Chains Working On "Hollow" Music Video". ThePRP.com. December 21, 2012.
- "Alice in Chains". Facebook. February 13, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains: New Album Title Revealed". Blabbermouth. February 14, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- "Alice in Chains Release New Album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, and Video Teaser". Revolver Magazine. May 28, 2013. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014.
- "Alice in Chains Team With Funny or Die for Hilarious 'AIC 23' Mockumentary". Loudwire. April 3, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Twenty-Three". Funny or Die. April 3, 2013. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Ball in the Box: Alice in Chains Brand Their Own Mobile Pinball Game". SPIN. June 13, 2013.
- "Alice in Chains Taps Director ROBOSHOBO For 'Phantom Limb' Video". lansingstatejournal.com. May 19, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Mainstream Rock Songs - The Week of March 30, 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- Trust, Gary (June 13, 2013). "Chart Moves: Cassadee Pope Debuts On Hot 100, Hot Country Songs; Alicia Keys Reaches Adult R&B Milestone; The Lone Bellow Adds Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- "Mainstream Rock Songs - The Week of November 23, 2013". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- Young, Alex (January 14, 2013). "Alice in Chains announce 2013 tour dates". Consequence of Sound.
- Rutherford, Kevin (January 28, 2014). "Alice in Chains Announces 21-Date Spring Tour". Billboard.
- Bowar, Chad (April 21, 2014). "Alice in Chains Expand 2014 North American Tour With August Dates". Loudwire.
- "Soundgarden and Alice in Chains to headline 2013 WMMRBQ in Camden". lehighvalleylive.com. January 18, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains: 'It Will Be a While Before the New Album'". Ultimate-Guitar.com. September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
- Bob Condotta (January 16, 2015). "Alice in Chains to perform at halftime of NFC Championship game Sunday". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- Farnsworth, Clare (January 16, 2015). "Alice in Chains to rock CenturyLink Field at halftime on Sunday". Seahawks.com. NFL Enterprises.
- "Alice in Chains Are Working on New Album". Ultimate-Guitar.com. August 19, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains Announces U.S. Tour". Blabbermouth. March 9, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- "Alice in Chains Reveal Second Leg of 2016 U.S. Tour". loudwire.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- "Alice In Chains Plays Final Show of 2016 Tour in Reno". This Is Reno. October 17, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Just Dropped a Cover of Rush's 'Tears'". Bloody Disgusting. November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- "2112 40th". rush.com. November 4, 2016.
- "Alice in Chains, Prophets of Rage, The Raconteurs & More Releasing Exclusive Vinyl for Record Store Day Black Friday". ABC News Radio. November 25, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- "BLACK FRIDAY 2016 > Alice In Chains - Live---Facelift". Record Store Day. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS: Double 7" Single To Be Made Available For 'Record Store Day'". Blabbermouth. March 22, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Is Working On Follow-Up To 'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here'". Blabbermouth. January 24, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains To Re-Team With Producer Nick Raskulinecz For New Album". Blabbermouth. June 6, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- "William DuVall: Day One tracking". June 12, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- "Big News From Alice in Chains: New Album Almost Wrapped Up!". Ultimate Guitar. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- Bienstock, Richard (April 11, 2018). "Jerry Cantrell Offers More Details on Alice in Chains' New Album". Guitar World. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell remembers Chris Cornell". YouTube. April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains announces first live date since October 2016". KSHE 95. November 10, 2017. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains at House of Blues Boston on Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:00 PM". Live Nation. Archived from the original on April 30, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
- "Carolina Rebellion 2018 lineup announced: Alice In Chains, Godsmack, Muse headlining". AXS.com. December 4, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Announce Summer Headline Tour; Band Wrapping Up Work On New Album". Brave Words. March 12, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains And Shinedown Headline Pointfest May 12". Midwest Rewind. February 16, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- "Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, and Alice In Chains Headline The Northern Invasion Festival This Summer". Alternative Revolt. December 11, 2017. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- "MMR*B*Q 2018". WMMR.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "Watch Alice in Chains Cover Soundgarden at Rock on the Range". Loudwire. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "Columbus, OH - May 18th". Backstage with The Baldy. May 19, 2018. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Announce Summer Tour Dates". SPIN. March 12, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Tons Of Rock Festival Announces 2018 Lineup Featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Alice In Chains and At The Gates". mxdwn.com. November 12, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- "KISW announces massive Pain In The Grass Lineup featuring Alice In Chains, The Cult, Slayer and many more". NorthWest Music Scene. April 3, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains Premiere "The One You Know" Music Video". ThePRP.com. May 3, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains – "The One You Know"". SPIN. May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains talk to Eddie Trunk about new song, music videos and new album (May 7, 2018)". YouTube. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains Announce New Album, Debut New Track". Kerrang!. June 27, 2018.
- "ALICE IN CHAINS To Release 'Rainier Fog' Album In August; Listen To New Song 'So Far Under'". Blabbermouth. June 27, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Talk Honoring Seattle Comrades With New Album 'Rainier Fog'". Rolling Stone. June 27, 2018.
- "Listen To New ALICE IN CHAINS Song 'Never Fade'". Blabbermouth. August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- Luke Morton (July 19, 2018). "The Music Lives. That Was The Goal". Metal Hammer. No. 312. p. 47.
- "New ALICE IN CHAINS Song 'Never Fade' Was Inspired By LAYNE STALEY And CHRIS CORNELL". Blabbermouth. August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
- "Watch Alice in Chains' Sinister, Sci-Fi 'Never Fade' Video". Rolling Stone. November 1, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- Niclas Müller-Hansen (September 1, 2018). "INTERVJU: William Duvall och Mike Inez från Alice In Chains". Rocksverige. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- "Seattle Mariners to Host 'Alice in Chains Night' on August 20". Loudwire. August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
- "See Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell Throw First Pitch at Seattle Mariners Game". Revolver. August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
- "Watch Alice in Chains Perform New Song "Fly" Atop Seattle's Iconic Space Needle". Guitar World. August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
- "VIDEO: Alice in Chains performs atop the Space Needle". Q13 Fox News. August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
- "Hear Alice in Chains' historic performance atop Seattle's Space Needle". SiriusXM. August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- Banas, Erica (August 23, 2018). "Alice In Chains Sent Fans on a Scavenger Hunt to Access Secret Gig". ALT 92.9 Boston. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains Pop-up Museum Coming to the Croc". KISW. August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
- Rutherford, Kevin (September 6, 2018). "Alice in Chains' 'Rainier Fog' Blows in at No. 1 on Rock, Alternative & Hard Rock Album Charts". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- "Alice In Chains Have Best Chart Debut With New Album". antiMusic. September 5, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40: 31 August 2018 - 6 September 2018". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- "Alice in Chains, Greta Van Fleet, Ghost Among Grammy Nominees". Guitar World. December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- "See Creepy, Surreal Trailer for Alice in Chains' New Sci-Fi Movie 'Black Antenna'". Revolver Magazine. December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- Munro, Scott (February 27, 2019). "Alice In Chains show a change of pace in lyric video for Rainier Fog". Louder Sound.
- Munro, Scott (March 1, 2019). "Watch new trailer for Alice in Chains film Black Antenna". Louder Sound.
- Miska, Brad (March 8, 2019). "Alice in Chains Release First Two 'Black Antenna' Episodes; Director Adam Mason Talks Alien Survival Story". Bloody Disgusting.
- "See Action-Packed, NSFW Finale of Alice in Chains' Sci-Fi Film 'Black Antenna'". Revolver Magazine. July 17, 2019.
- Reed, Ryan (May 15, 2019). "Alice in Chains Befriend Beer Bottle in Wacky 'Rainier Fog' Video". Rolling Stone.
- Karan, Tim (May 6, 2014). "With Jar Of Flies, Alice In Chains unleashed an accidental masterpiece". A.V. Club.
- Gilbert, Jeff; Aledort, Andy (January 1996). "Go Ask Alice". Guitar World. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2012. See also: 1a, 1b, 2.
- Murray, Tom (July 5, 2013). "Alice in Chains stroll down memory lane for enthusiastic Rexall fans". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
- Lynch, Bill. "Alice unboud: After a long absence, Alice In Chains is back". The Charleston Gazette. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
- Crean, Patricia. "'Alice' will rattle some chains". Spokane Chronicle. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
- Conway, James. "How Haven't You Heard ... Alice In Chains – Dirt". Vulture Hound Magazine. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
- Considine, J.D (October 23, 1992). "Alice in Chains breaks free of a style". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- Author, Unknown. "THE METAL'S GONE, BUT THE TUNES AND MOODS REMAIN". Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA). Retrieved September 26, 2012.
- Christopher, Michael (September 23, 2003). "Alice in Chains: Dirt". PopMatters. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
- MacLennan, Michael. "Music previews: Alice in Chains, Tegan and Sara and Will Young". STV. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- Coffey, Russ. "CD: Alice in Chains - The Devil put Dinosaurs Here". The Arts Desk. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- Familton, Chris. "ALICE IN CHAINS The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here". The Music.com.au. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
- Popoff, Martin (May 30, 2013). "ALICE IN CHAINS – "It's Not Like We're Trying To Recapture Dirt ... We Already Made That Fucking Record!"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
- Schroer, Brendan. "Review: Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- Gilbertson, Jon M. "DuVall, Cantrell keep Alice in Chains' drone-rock alive". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- Grierson, Tim. "Alice in Chains Biography and Profile". About.com. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
- Brown, Jake (June 2011). Alice in Chains: In the Studio - Jake Brown. ISBN 9780983471646. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- "Interview: Alice in Chains". The National Student. October 7, 2013.
- "Interview: Jerry Cantrell Discusses Alice in Chain's 2009 Comeback, 'Black Gives Way to Blue'". Guitar World. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- Chapstick, Kesley (October 22, 2018). "See Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell pick favorite Black Sabbath, AC/DC albums". Revolver Magazine. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- Hickie, James (February 26, 2019). "Jerry Cantrell: I knew what being a rock star was from an early age". Kerrang!. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- Hickie, James (November 27, 2019). "Alice in Chains' William Duvall: 10 songs that changed my life". Kerrang!. Kerrang!. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- Shipley, Al (April 18, 2019). "Alice in Chains are coming to the Armory on Friday, and here are 19 of their best deep cuts". City Pages. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- Ramanand, Liz (October 17, 2019). "Heavy Culture: William DuVall on Roots, Race, Solo Album, Jimi Hendrix, and Alice in Chains". Consequence of Sound.
- Freeman, Ray (December 27, 2010). "Mike Inez (Alice In Chains) Gives King's X Some Love". Kings X Rocks.
- Hintz, Marty (February 1991). "Interview with Alice in Chains". Bohemia Visual Music.
- Blackett, Matt (January 30, 2014). "Jerry Cantrell talks 'Devils & Dinosaurs'". Guitar Player. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- "Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell remembers Chris Cornell". YouTube. April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Degradation Trip". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- Burrows, Alyssa (May 17, 2002). "Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley dies on April 5, 2002". Historylink.com. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
- "VH1: 100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists". Rockonthenet.com. 2000. Archived from the original on January 8, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
- "Hard Rock's All-Time Top 100 Live Bands". Hit Parader. February 2008.
- "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists". Hit Parader. November 2006.
- "Metallica, Pantera: Top Albums Of Last 17 Years". Ultimate-Guitar.com. April 30, 2008.
- "100 Greatest Guitar Solos". Guitar World. October 30, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "News – The 2009 Kerrang! Awards winners". Kerrang!. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on August 6, 2009.
- Grassi, Tony. "Photo Gallery: The Top 10 Guitar Albums of 1994". GuitarWorld.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- "Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994". GuitarWorld.com. July 14, 2014. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- "10 Best Hard Rock Albums of 1994". Loudwire. May 20, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- "Diamond "Dimebag" Darrell: The Pantera Interview". Guitar International. September 1995. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- "Feel the Power - Wesley Willis". AllMusic. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Wesley Willis Dies". Rolling Stone. August 22, 2003. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Bleeding The Orchid". SPfreaks. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- "Corgan Talks New Pumpkins Art, Inspirations". Friday Morning Quarterback. July 6, 2007. Archived from the original on July 8, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
- "Elton John Joins Alice in Chains' New Album to Honor Layne Staley". Rolling Stone. August 11, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "GODSMACK INTERVIEW: FACELESS (Part 1)". YouTube. May 3, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- D'Angelo, Joe; Vineyard, Jennifer; Wiederhorn, Jon (April 22, 2002). "MTV.com – "'He Got Me To Start Singing': Artists Remember Layne Staley"". MTV. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
- "Godsmack Got Their Name From The Alice In Chains' Song". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "The music and magic of Godsmack". Canoe.com. June 18, 2006. Archived from the original on November 22, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "Alt-metal Godsmack To Smack Into Hard Rock Live In March". Orlando Sentinel. February 2, 2001. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- Snierson, Dan (May 7, 2004). "Layne Staley gets Born Again". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 6, 2007.
- Florino, Rick (April 1, 2013). "Alice In Chains Stories from Korn, Slipknot, Zakk Wylde, Device, Five Finger Death Punch, Mad Season, and More". Artistdirect. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Prato, Greg. "Alice in Chains Biography". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- "Taproot's Second Album Is Really Their Third ... Kind Of". MTV News. October 18, 2002. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- "Stonesour: full interview". BBC. March 3, 2003. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- "Queens of the Stone Age - Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- "Rains Singer Counts Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Tool as Influences". Audio Ink Radio. April 4, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- "Interview – Theory of a Deadman". Canadian Beats. August 13, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- "Interview with Sal Abruscato of A Pale Horse Named Death". The Rocktologist. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- "Smile Empty Soul chats with it! about Bush, musical influences and dad". Fredericksburg.com. March 25, 2004. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- "Avenged Sevenfold | Related Artists | Discover New Music". MTV. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Seether feels the cold". FasterLourder. July 18, 2006. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Concert preview: Seether adds melody to the metal". The Salt Lake Tribune. September 9, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Incubus Singer Brandon Boyd Talk Influences at Musicians Institute". Loudwire. March 7, 2012.
- Artist Influences For Hoobastank MTV
- "Radio Has Helped The Group Find Its Place In The Metal Music Genre". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. January 29, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- Epting, Chris. "10 Years Singer Jesse Hasek Discusses Being Raised in the Church, His Unlikely Career (INTERVIEW)". Noise Creep. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- "Breaking Benjamin - Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers". Allmusic. Rovi corporation. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (December 5, 2015). "City and Colour's Green reveals Five Key Influences". Boston Globe.
- Metallica: Metal Machines (Louder Faster Stronger). Rolling Stone. October 2008. pp. 58–67.
- "IN FLAMES Covers DEPECHE MODE, ALICE IN CHAINS, NINE INCH NAILS On 'Down, Wicked & No Good' EP". Blabbermouth. November 17, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "OPETH Covers ALICE IN CHAINS, ROBIN TROWER During New Album Sessions". Archived from the original on October 16, 2009.
- "Dream Theater - "Would" Alice in Chains Cover". YouTube. September 5, 2006. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- "SECRETS OF THE MOON Post Cover Of ALICE IN CHAINS' "Them Bones"". Thenewreview.net. September 19, 2010. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- "Suicide Silence Cover Alice In Chains". Archived from the original on December 9, 2010.
- "36 Crazyfists - Alice In Chains We Die Young (Cover) Metal Hammer Goes 90s". YouTube. July 26, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Cane Hill - We Die Young (Alice In Chains Cover)". YouTube. September 14, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "EKTOMORF Covers ALICE IN CHAINS, SOUNDGARDEN On New Single". Blabbermouth. June 23, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "I Don't Mind This Black Metal Cover of Alice in Chains' "Angry Chair"". Metal Sucks. April 22, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "GRAVE Cover ALICE IN CHAINS' 'Them Bones'". Archived from the original on January 11, 2012.
- Nelson, Michael (May 31, 2018). "Thou – "The Changeling Prince"". Stereogum. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- "Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES) - When I Was A Teenage Headbanger". YouTube. July 10, 2009.
- Huey, Steve. "Nothing Safe - Alice in Chains". Allmusic. Rovi corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- "The String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains". Vitamin String Quartet. March 24, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "The String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains - Vitamin String Quartet". AllMusic. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "'Alice in Chains: The Untold Story': Entire First Chapter Posted Online". Blabbermouth. August 2, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- "Alice in Chains Paperback Edition Is Here". daviddesola.com. November 23, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- "FAQ – David de Sola". daviddesola.com. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- "10 Heaviest Grunge Bands". Metal Injection. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- "Ozzy Osbourne's 10 Favorite Metal Albums". Rolling Stone. June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- "Memories Are Piling Up For Rock's Hall Of Fame". The Seattle Times. July 23, 1995. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- "Alice in Chains got a private tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland earlier this week". May 21, 2014.