Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
Genre - Heavy Metal
As a big Alice in Chains fan I was pretty excited when I heard that they were releasing a new album soon. One major problem however came to mind. The album would not feature vocalist Layne Staley because he died of a drug overdose in 2002. The band did not just go "Hey let's make a new album." They took at least five years to finally decide they were going to continue on. Alice in Chains played with a number of vocalist during 2006. Such as James Hetfield, Phil Anselmo, Maynard James Keenan, Wes Scantlin, Anne Wilson, and William Duvall to name a few. The band was working on material since early 2006. Shortly William Duvall was hired as the band's new lead vocalist. By April 2007 the band had begun writing songs for the new album. The band would finally begin recording material in the studio in October 2008 with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has previously worked with the likes of the Foo Fighters, Stone Sour, and Rush. The recording process was finally finished on guitarist Jerry Cantrell's 43rd birthday, March 18, 2009.
All Secrets Known - Lyrics to this song are a bit of a surprise since they're about hope, which Alice in Chains really isn't known for putting in their songs. This song does however let you know that Alice in Chains is still Alice in Chains. All Secrets Known is a great opener. 9/10
Check My Brain - Here we go I feel this next track right here should have opened the album up. The riff for Check My Brain really annoyed me at first and I did not dig this song when it was released as a single before the album came out. Over time though this song really grew on me and has become one of my favorites on the album. The main riff is really addicting if you are not annoyed by it. Check My Brain is very hypnotic yet the chords barely even sound like notes. Jerry Cantrell and William Duvall do some harmonizing here that blends in so you really can't tell if Duvall is even here, not a bad thing though. This is Alice in Chains most radio friendly song on the album and it's rather good though. 7/10
Last of My Kind - Last of My Kind rivals A Looking in View for the heaviest song on the album. The dark atmosphere that Alice in Chains has been known for over the years is present here. The intro starts off quiet and a few seconds later it gets in gear with the heavy feel. Right here is the best example of William Duvall on vocals since this is more of a solo vocals track with him. If Alice in Chains was trying to show how well Duvall can do congrats this is a great example and a good song at that too. 9.5/10
Your Decision - Right away my first thought about this song is that it would have worked great on the band's Jar of Flies extended play album. There is beautiful acoustic playing on this track. The strong melodies and beautiful harmonies are what make this song. Jerry Cantrell even manages to add a nice solo here. Your Decision is among my top three favorite songs on this album it is very good. 10/10
A Looking in View - I'm sure anyone hearing any casual Rock or Metal radio station have heard this song. This was the first Alice in Chains song that was heard in nearly 14 years as well as the band's first single for Black Gives Way to Blue. Tied for the heaviest song on the album with Last of My Kind, A Looking in View does not disappoint and it is just as good, or in my opinion better than Last of My Kind. A Looking in View gets started right away with a pounding intro and does not let down from the start to the finish. The main riff for this song should be very well acceptable by any headbanger. You can actually tell apart Jerry and Will harmonizing here because they're not blending in too much. Will has some nice solo singing towards the end of the song. Overall A Looking in View is a damn great song. 9.5/10
When the Sun Rose Again - If Your Decision was meant to be on Jar of Flies, then When the Sun Rose Again was meant to be on Sap. This track most reminds me of Right Turn, minus Chris Cornell, Mark Arm, and Layne Staley. Once again like Jar of Flies/Sap there is some nice acoustic playing, melodies, and harmonies. Jerry adds another tasteful solo here. 8/10
Acid Bubble - I was waiting patiently to hear this song because how cool and creepy the title of it sounded. Acid Bubble is that cool and creepy, the opening intro sounds like something that could be used in a horror movie. Acid Bubble feels epic, smooth, and fully formed. The tempo of this song changes into a violent tempo. Overall this is a really cool song. 10/10
Lesson Learned - Alice in Chains seems to have a little bit of everything on this album from acoustic to more metallic. This song right here leans more along the sides of Hard Rock. Lesson Learned is a nice little song but I really do not care too much for it. 7/10
Take Her Out - Another Hard Rock like song. Nothing here is really overwhelming but at the same time nothing here is bad. I'll just say it's an okay song I'll leave it at that. 6.5/10
Private Hell - Private Hell is tied for my favorite song on the album with Your Decision and the title track. The track is beautiful with the melodies played here. The lyrics of this song are pretty depressing and I'm going to have to say I think the lyrics are about Layne's last days alive. Really good track right here it is defiantly worth checking out. 10/10
Black Gives Way to Blue - Well here we are the last track and it just happens to be the title track. Elton John is a special guest here and plays piano. In all these years who would have ever thought Alice in Chains and Elton John would ever do anything together. Black Gives Way to Blue is the album's tribute to Layne Staley. One question is it good? No it's not good it is freaking great. Black Gives Way to Blue is very emotional and beautiful the only drawback to this song is that it is too short. 9/10
Overall - Over fourteen years you can't expect any person to be the same, this goes for bands too. Places change in 14 years, people change in 14 years, and unfortunately with Layne Staley people die between the course of 14 years. Alice in Chains did a very good job with this album and they still manage to sound like themselves Alice in Chains. Many blind haters had low expectations judging Duvall by low quality YouTube videos for this album saying Alice in Chains without Layne Staley is not Alice in Chains. William Duvall is no Layne Staley and he never will but it is very naive to say William Duvall is a bad singer when he is actually very good. To me Alice in Chains is Jerry Cantrell's band considering he writes pretty much everything. Black Gives Way to Blue is just a wonderful album and what really makes it special is that Layne is gone and he was a the most important part of the band. Black Gives Way to Blue is how Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy would be if it was the sequel to Appetite for Destruction.
Rest in Peace Layne Staley you'll never be forgotten.