Alice In Chains have just debuted a brand-new song, "Hollow", via a lyric video created by fans who contributed images through Instagram (scroll down below to watch it).
The audio for "Hollow" will be available on iTunes beginning January 8, followed by the Vevo premiere of the song's official companion video. The song itself will be featured on the band's upcoming album, recorded in Los Angeles with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Deftones). Alice In Chains' new album is set for a spring 2013 release and will be a follow-up to the band's hugely successful 2009 release "Black Gives Way To Blue", which entered Billboard's Top 200 at No. 5, sold over one million copies, spawned two No. 1 hit singles ("Check My Brain" and "Your Decision") and a third ("Lesson Learned") that went Top 10, earned two Grammy nominations and saw the band (vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, vocalist/guitarist William DuVall, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez) headlining a sold-out international tour that wrapped at Madison Square Garden in New York City.Speaking about the new record's sound and direction, guitarist Jerry Cantrell said, "I don't think you'll be surprised by anything you hear. It's us. But it's also really unique. It's got all the elements of any record we've put out, but it's unlike any record we've put out. Basically, it's the next chapter in the Alice In Chains book, and it's going to be a big one."
I don't see why people get mad. Layne's one of my favorite singers of all time. But there were two frontment in AIC and one of them is still kicking ass. And lets face it, Jerry is mostly fronting AIC now so why the negativity about their new releases? This song could have been a single from Dirt and it would hit 90's chart frenzy. It's badass.
I've been waiting to hear something form AiC. BGWTB was good record. This song has nice intro, good guitar parts, but there's no melody and it makes this song weak.
This is phenomenal. Get me the new album now. AIC is one of my all time favorites and I love Layne, but he's gone. But since Black Gives Way to Blue, we've gotten the same quality music with slightly different vocals. If you can't love and appreciate it, you best not call yourself an Alice in Chains fan.
i think jerry and william work well together, their vocals sits nice one on top of the other, allowing jerry to keep the "grinding riffs-melodic harmonies" thing going. the riffs are as good as always. looking forward to the new album.
Indeed, I thought Layne and Jerry's vocals sounded amazing together, sounding perfectly, and I thought it would be very hard for them to find someone who had a voice that would match so good with Jerry's vocals. But in fact, they did find that person, although, of course, no one can really replace Layne. William is probably the best singer they could find, I didn't know him before AIC got him, but his voice does match beautifully with Jerry's, it brings a new feel to their songs.
Alice In Chains NEVER disappoints. As much as I miss Layne and think he can never be replaced, I can't help but to place 'Black Gives Way to Blue' as one of the greatest metal/hard rock albums of the 2000's. So many killer tunes on it.
Not a fan of the lyrics, seem a bit basic to me. "Hollow as a mountain"?
But, absolutely love the new guys voice, the last album was the dogs swingers. Layne was then (was awesome), William is now (is awesome), deal with it!
Can't wait for the album and UK tour (wishful thinking!)
If you put the following lyrical phrase together you get: "Hollow as a mountain all tunneled and drilled below" - which makes perfect sense, and that is some pretty hollow stuff.
Sounds like its going to be a great album, judging from the song. Jerry is an amazing songwriter, and can still write some great stuff. Same to the rest of the band. I'm looking forward to the new album.
Really enjoyed it. I don't know if it's just first impression or if this opinion will stick, but to me when Will and Jerry are harmonizing like this it is much better than either of them singing on their own, and does a better job of getting that Layne-era feel. Musically this is just as good as the last record, but to me the focus on harmonizing vocals on this track set it apart.
To me the harmonizing sounds just like it did on BGWTB. I definitely hear Jerry, but the other guy still sounds buried. So much so really, that if I hadn't known differently, I'd assume it was just Jerry's voice double tracked. Classic-era harmonizing actually featured Layne's voice soaring completely over Jerry's, and that wasn't even necesarily due to the mix. Layne's voice was always just more powerful and in a higher register. So my thinking is that the way they bury the new guy in the mix behind Jerry is just a safe play to keep the sound as close as possible to the classic lineup. Has anyone else seen them live and noticed this to be different? I personally wouldn't mind hearing this new guy more. I think it would actually sound MORE like the classic-era AIC just to have a higher register voice stacked above Jerry's, even if it isn't Layne.
Jerry is definitely at the forefront, but I heard Will. Not just in his bigger notes in the chorus either, I heard him in the verses. Haven't listened to BGWTB in a while, but I definitely remember a lot of solo vocal efforts from Jerry, or at least in large parts of songs, and even when they harmonized not sounding this good. I do agree with you though, the harmonizing could only sound better if their voices were mixed more evenly
Seen them live about 7 times since 2009, and Will's vocal mix live is considerately more prominent than Jerry's. I recall hearing him more clearly live as opposed to the usual buried mixes on the studio tracks, "Acid Bubble" especially.
Wow... so you're saying when they play live its actually the opposite? Thats really interesting. I havnt had the chance to see them so thanks for sharing. I guess it makes sense though to keep Jerry higher in the mix to sell records and not offend some the close-minded fans. Then live, they can just perform however they want.
Well, not fully the opposite, but definitely more than his mix on the album. Remember, Cantrell sings lead on many of the songs, so his vocals will be front and center most of the time, but Will's volume is definitely increased a bit.
I saw them live at the 930 Club in DC, and we could hear Will very clearly when he sang, "Rain when I Die." It was amazing to hear those guys live. I will say though I was not lucky enough to see Layne with them.
As great as Layne was, everyone needs to realize the true center of the band was and is Jerry. They are still putting out good music. I don't think Jerry would have kept AIC going if the band was not making quality music. I miss Layne, but this is still good. Can't wait for the whole album.
I really like the song. One of the best Alice in Chains has done, that being said, I really hope Duvall does more singing on this album then he did on the last one. Some shorter faster songs like Them Bones and So Close would be nice. Just a suggestion. I felt like they played it too safe on BGWTB
The instrumental music itself sounds great. Classic AIC almost, and the vocals are pretty decent, but the actual words of the song just don't do it for me AT ALL!
This is reminds me of something straight off of "Dirt".
I really enjoy it, props to William for doing a great job - Layne would most likely be happy that the AIC torch is still burning.
Really excited for the new album.
Wish they would would let William sing solo more. He hasn't been given enough opportunity to shine. We're used to the thought of a new singer now, give him a chance.
Listened to Hollow and that was cool. The chorus was odd but I remain hopeful. Then there was a link to one of Newsted's new tunes and THAT was a little more interesting.
I hate to be one of those old AiC fanboys, but I just cannot get into the new AiC without Layne, no matter how hard I try. Personally, I think everything they've put out with DuVall has been rather bland and generic. The vocals just seem to blend into the background and there is too much emphasis on the heavier guitar.
However, this is just my opinion, and if you like it then enjoy it by all means.
