Who would have thought that out of all the bands from the early 90’s Seattle scene Alice In Chains would be the ones still producing new material? Albeit without the original, legendary, Layne Staley on vocals. Either way, they’re the only band from the era that has held it’s name and is still as relevant with their name as they were in the peak of the Seattle scene. And now, Alice In Chains continue their post Staley career’s with yet another strong, career defining album.
I know, using career defining with this band is a little moot. Because everything they’ve done is pretty much solid melodic metal gold. And the new album, ‘Rainier Fog’ is no exception. Since 2009, Alice In Chains have released three amazing albums. And I don’ think anyone, myself included, thought that this band could exist as well as it does currently. William DuVall has proven his worth at this point. And Jerry Cantrell has been really really smart tackling more vocal duties in the band’s post Staley existence. It’s his band after all and he’s taken the reigns. And it’s proven to work time and time again.
Overall ‘Rainier Fog’ is typical, classic Alice In Chains. But this time around the songs seem a little more thought out as opposed to simple jamming to find the song. When I say it’s classic Alice, I mean that it really has a very old school, AIC to the core vibe. Not that 2009’s ‘Black Give Way to Blue’ or 2013’s ‘The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here’ aren’t. But ‘Rainier Fog’ has that ’95 self-titled vibe to it. Really dark and bleak. But it’s strong all the way through. From the lead off track ‘The One You Know’ through the closing ‘All I Am.’
The lead off track also happens to be the first single. And when it dropped I knew this was going to be a particularly good Alice album. And it is. The title track follows the lead off single. And it’s one of the best songs on the album. A chugging rhythm riff leads off with Sean Kinney’s laid back yet heavy drum sound. And DuVall’s vocal melodies encourage singing along with every word. An incredibly important element to the Alice In Chains formula. But even through all that I wasn’t expecting the amazing Jerry Cantrell lead vocal melodies and harmonies on the bridge. Just amazing shit. ‘Red Giant’ follows. It’s perhaps the most unique song on the album. The riff and rhythm are old-school blues metal with that Alice In Chains darkness attached. But the vocal lines have a lot of accidentals in them. And it works really well while providing something a little different while still retaining all the AIC elements. Def one of my favorite songs on the record.
The Jerry Cantrell lead ‘Fly’ is next and I gotta say. I know that Cantrell writes some unreal ballads. But this one is def in the top five without a doubt. It’s honestly almost like hearing music for the first time. Indescribably catchy, melodic, emotional and for as dark as the record is, this song leaves you with a little piece of optimism. ‘Waiting out the storm until the skies are clear to fly,’ Jerry writes. It’s something we all need to hear right now in these dark times. Then we’re back to the Black Sabbath influenced side of the band with ‘Drone’. It’s a heavy, swinging, dark, bad ass song. Complete with thick, minor vocal harmonies. ‘Deaf Ears Blind Eyes’ keeps up the same vibes. The same heavy groove and vocal harmonies that we’ve come to expect over the years. But again, this time it’s a little bit more thought out. Not as automatic as the previous two records were. ‘Maybe’ starts with the AIC vocal harmonies. Then it blossoms into this amazing guitar melody that accompanies the harmonies with shear perfection, before going into a cut time chorus that fits the entire picture of the song.
Then ‘So Far Under’ introduces itself with the creepy, slow and heavy guitar riff that more Alice In Chains than Alice In Chains. The string bend at the end of each phrase is synonymous with Cantrell. It’s the riff that Satan hears when he comes out of the ground to terrorize Earth. ‘Never Fade’ picks up the pace a little bit with a cut time drum beat and power chord riff. Then it moves into heavy, mid-tempo groove that we all love so much. It’s one of the only songs to have it’s pace on the album. Actually the only one. Then the album closes with the epic ‘All I Am.’ An emotional seven minute ballad. Loaded with vulnerability and grace. It’s a perfect way to end the album.
Overall I think this may be a five star album. All Alice material is above the three and half marker anyway. But reaching that five is tough and they did it with this album. It’s so much more than just heavy grooves and catchy vocal harmonies. Each element seems meticulously placed for maximum emotional effect. Which is why this album isn’t just for people who like hard rock or heavy metal. This is an album that has something for people who simply like good music. And that’s the key to Alice In Chains’ success.
sheer perfection
Just classic AIC
