Many years ago, there was this band called Alice In Chains. As soon as I saw the video for "Man In The Box", I was hooked. What started thereafter was a love affair with anything and everything the band recorded and released. Soon after they broke, the whole "Seattle" grunge thing of the early 1990's took the world by storm. Goatees, flannels, unkemptness, and a hippie-like attitude entered middle class America, and transformed metalheads, and normal kids alike. Out of that whole scene, to include Pearl Jam (a revamped Mother Love Bone, really), Soundgarden, Mudhoney, The Screaming Trees, and Nirvana (but not limited to). Alice In Chains was the band that resonated most with the heavy metal holdovers. Nirvana did too, but you KNEW Nirvana had the new order of the day.

Alice In Chains captured the rootsy sound of Black Sabbath, and honed their hard rock and heavy metal upbringing of the 1980's, playing with passion and soul. They stood apart and above their Seattle counterparts. Everyone from both sides of the fence loved them. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider hit the nail on the head, when he said that the Seattle bands weren't alternative, but rather re-defined the heavy metal genre. Alice In Chains took it to a new level. They too, were put in heavy rotation on FM dials.

Although the band suffered a severe climb, given lead singer Layne Staley's tumultuous battle with the needle, they couldn't be stopped. They didn't need to tour, they just needed to be. They had it together as a band. With sound and stage presence, they simply knew how to please, no matter what was going on behind the scenes. The world was dealt a tragic loss when Staley passed. ( A reported 6 foot 1, and 80 lbs. at the time of death) To think they could carry on, at first seemed ludicrous, but now is necessary.

The band, with now a more grown up sound, hit back in 2009, with critically acclaimed, "Black Gives Way To Blue", their 4th album. (Just think what could have been, if cleaner heads prevailed)  No "Dirt", or "Facelift", it still stands well on it's own two feet. That is one reason why it is my Honorable Mention, this Halloween Season.

Taking the place of Layne Staley is former Comes With The Fall frontman William Duvall, who, like co-lead vocalist Jerry Cantrell, is a well skilled guitar player. With that, Duvall adds more depth to the band, so less overdubs and effects live. He looks like Lenny Kravitz, and sounds like William Duvall. Soulful, a little raspy, maybe could've fronted an Alice In Chains cover band if he wanted to, but probably not. HOWEVER............................when he harmonizes with Jerry Cantrell, holy moley!! Your brain will register that you're listening to Alice In Chains, but you will immediately picture the lanky, sunglasses bespectacled, Layne Staley. It's like he never went anywhere. Keep listening!!

The sound on their 2009 cd is all grown up ya see. No more songs about drugs and demons, now it's about perseverance. Starting off with trademark down tuned, "All Secrets Known", it kicks this matured offering into 1st gear. I love the eerie whistle solo during the chorus, it sends chills through me. The song sets the pace for a 3/4th paced, October-like album setting; reason two, why this is one of my picks, 2 years later. 

Instead of celebrating death, the band breathes new life. "Check My Brain" offers the familiar distortion and down tuned guitars. Just listen to Cantrell and Duvall harmonize. Sounds just like Staley!! "A Looking In View", and "Take Her Out" are utterly brilliant, and hit you one more time, when the chorus repeats near the end. Sounds like classic 'Chains indeed. Fans of the acoustic Alice will not be disappointed with "When The Sun Rose Again". Closing out this 2009 meandering rocker is the title track, featuring Elton John. YES, ELTON F'KIN JOHN on piano!! Layne Staley was a huge fan of the Elton John, and the band saw it a befitting tribute, and nod to their departed frontman to coax old Elt, who was reportedly tickled pink, to play on the album.

Give Alice their due, they've been through a lot. Let's welcome William Duvall, or whoever they work with in the future. It is of interest to know that this lineup of Duvall, Cantrell, Inez, and Kinney are indeed working on a follow up, to be released sometime in 2012.

I am not a big fan of musicians calling a band by it's familiar name when the lead singer has left, (or in this case died) but with AIC, I feel it is absolutely necessary and worthwhile to do so. Get back, get back to the focus, get ahead, get ahead monetarily, and keep a positive thought. Metalheads, and grungeheads (if they still exist) need to keep hearing you. R.I.P. Layne Staley.