The New Alice In Chains Might Actually Be Good

Columbia/Legacy will be reissuing the Alice in Chains "MTV Unplugged" performance from April 1996. This reissue will include three previous unreleased songs, "Angry Chair," "Frogs" and "The Killer Is Me."

Alice in Chains are touring with Velvet Revolver this summer. The tour kicks into full gear tomorrow with a show in Montreal. AIC is also working on a new album. New singer William DuVall issued the following statement: "As it says on the Alice in Chains website, we've been working on new AIC material. The first in over 10 years. It's been deeply rewarding and the stuff is insane.

"Back to AIC again, many of you know by now that we're gearing up for this late summer tour around North America with Velvet Revolver. What you may not know is how fucking ravenous we are to get out there and rock your faces again. We are coming (like a pack of wild dogs) to an amphitheater/arena near you. There will be no quarter asked. And none given. You've been duly warned."

If you're an AIC fan (like me), you're probably wary of this comeback attempt. When I first heard that Alice in Chains was attempting a comeback, I assumed it was some Doors-type tribute, where they would have a couple special shows and use a bunch of different singers. Then I found out that they had chosen a full-time replacement singer, and they were touring and working on a new album. I was extremely skeptical. Like many, I believe that Layne Staley was a critical part of Alice in Chains, and he just couldn't be replaced. I always said they should change the band's name or just call it a day.

But earlier this week, my friend directed me to a few YouTube clips. The three videos below show AIC performing live with the new singer William DuVall. These clips totally changed my mind. For starters, did anyone know that William DuVall is black? He looks a little like Lenny Kravitz. I guess I was picturing Robert DuVall. Anyway, his voice is really impressive. He sounds a lot like Layne Staley, but he also does his own thing at times, so it doesn't sound like he's doing some forced Layne impression.

Jerry Cantrell will be handling most of the writing duties on the new AIC album. With DuVall singing... maybe this thing could be decent after all. At the very least, this new lineup is worth seeing live.

Take a look at the videos. "Nutshell" is the one that really changed my mind. It's outstanding.

"Man in the Box": Video

"Dam That River": Video

"Nutshell": Video

Thanks for the info to Shoutmouth.com.

Comments

[brian_s]

What a great band! Thats all I can say.

[centralside]

Thank you! Finally someone else who believes DuVall is the right man for the 'Chains!

[chrisontheroad]

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....

[Black Hole Sun]

Bullshit. He sounds exactly like he's doing a Layne Staley impression. Get a real singer. Who sounds different, but can sing. For example, Maynard James Keenan. Not him, he's got Tool, but someone who sings as well as him and Layne.

^ Yeah, because those people are a dime a dozen. Hell, every third person I bump into during the course of the day can sing like Keenan or Staley. It's really not uncommon to grab people who are quasi-soundalikes to replace lead singers. Look at what AC/DC did after Bon Scott died, or Queen in their current iteration.

[CanCan]

This article is oh so very unbiased.

[jcthomasva]

Huzzah! - except, those three previously unreleased songs were all previously released on both the DVD and the CD. In fact, the only thing the CD lacks that the DVD has is an impromptu rockabilly jam and the Sludge Factory lyric foul-up.

I assume by "previously unreleased" the writer is referring to the original broadcast of the show on MTV, which did lack those three songs.

[Hexagram]

i'm still cautious about this

[creativeboner]

Lets see how they do on their new album, then we can all past judgment.

[MXFNCK]

I'd love to hear the unplugged angry chair. New singer also sounds good.

[illusion_101]

cant wait to see them with VR on the 27th in Detroit!! Should be an interesting new album, maybe get a preview of some tunes on this tour?? hopefully

[creativeboner]

"For starters, did anyone know that William DuVall is black?"

Oh, and what the F#CK does him being black have to do anything!?!?!

[South-of-Heaven]

Hexagram wrote:

i'm still cautious about this

I'm not, any new material they do will be fresh and raw, and probably better than Dirt or nearly as good as it.

[misbachrhcp]

new material good, cuz no one wants to hear a layne stanley stand in

[prsfloyd]

Seeing them in Tampa

[theduke92]

Well I watched all three videos, I have to say, I like it. I'm definitely looing forward to the new album.

[Shredder Guitar]

settle down, people. i didnt know that Duvall was black at first, and it really doesnt matter anyway. hes an amazing vocalist, and i hope he'll put the band back on top.

Checked

[AtomicMaelstrom]

If DuVall sounds that great live, then a studio album would kick ass... considering Cantrell wrote most of their previous material.

[BreakingTheGirl]

lol @ title.

[metalb0y]

I haven't heard much alice in chains songs but i remember what the old vocalist sounds like i'd like to hear the new guy

[screamsoftly]

I don't care how great a singer DuVall is, he's not Layne. If they decide to do an album, that's another story. But to just have him sing a bunch of their old stuff seems wrong to me. I'd go see them live just to hear Jerry Cantrell though, man is he a good guitarist.

[Navarre_Bassist]

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....

Are you serious?!
Hendrix!

[giginthesky]

There is only one real test for this new guy, can he sing "Rain when I die" with even half of the emotion and range that Layne had? I don't know if anyone can.

[CoreysMonster]

^ Yeah, because those people are a dime a dozen. Hell, every third person I bump into during the course of the day can sing like Keenan or Staley.

maybe i'm to drunk, but i sense sarcasm here

[prsfloyd]

I'm goin to see them in Tampa

[Ned_Gerblansky]

I have one question I'd like to ask William Duvall,

What's his drug of choice?

I seriously wish people would stop bitching about the 'new' AIC. You don't want to give them a chance? Fine, your loss. But I fail to see how these guys performing and writing is a bad thing in any shape or form.

[HETFIELDHAMMETT]

South-of-Heaven wrote:

Hexagram wrote:

i'm still cautious about this
I'm not, any new material they do will be fresh and raw, and probably better than Dirt or nearly as good as it.

uhoh. did u just curse. dude my gosh nobody can recreate what they did goin back to dirt so dont vene compare to that. maybe at best it will have some jar of flies but no promises. just cause this thing sounds cool doesnt mean its goin to happen and be a great album.. just look at axl rose...(love the guy but cmon.)

[HETFIELDHAMMETT]

Navarre_Bassist wrote:

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....


Are you serious?!
Hendrix!

dude haha it was a joke.

[gibsonplyer]

1st I saw them live the last time they toured and will be seeing them again in a week. Duvall is a good singer. He doesn't sound like he's trying to sing like Layne that's his own voice but at times you can almost forget its him up there. He's got the pipes to pull the gig off.

2nd All 3 of those songs were released previously. I have both the DVD and CD of that performance and all of those songs are on there so I don't know what they're talking about.

[01chardw]

Navarre_Bassist wrote:

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....



Are you serious?!
Hendrix!

Are you being serious as in the fact that you cannot detect that blatant sarcasm??

[GuitarJunkie]

creativeboner wrote:

"For starters, did anyone know that William DuVall is black?"

Oh, and what the F#CK does him being black have to do anything!?!?!

would everyone stop trying to be so goddamn PC its making me sick.

Ned_Gerblansky wrote:

I have one question I'd like to ask William Duvall,

What's his drug of choice?

Well, what have you got?

[blackflag49]

I love the old AiC, and I'm more than willing to give this new line-up a shot. As long as Jerry's there, there's bound to be some awesome music.

[Rebourne]

Nope, not even close, I don't care what people say he isn't even close to Layne. The singer to Godsmack would have been a better choice.

[Cobalt Blue]

I saw them last night, kind of dissapointing.. but I had bad seats for sound quality, might have effected my decision

[Stop Messin']

Who knows, maybe after getting a new singer, they'll be bigger than ever. It happened to AC/DC with Brian Johnson, and Iron Maiden with Bruce Dickenson.

Cool videos too, DuVall is pretty good.

[br4ve]

Why is Travis Barkers ugly face still there?

[motorbreath_445]

I was at the toronto show, and HOLY FUCKING CHRIST, what a show. AIC completely tore the place apart, and were the only band that didn't do any covers. i think they even played some new songs, cuz i couldnt figure out some of the songs, and they were very good. ladies and gentlemen, alice in chains are FINALLY back, and its about ****ing time

[Nick1814]

new singer??? that sucks. can't they just get a new bassist or something?

[Tyler420]

Black Hole Sun wrote:

Bullshit. He sounds exactly like he's doing a Layne Staley impression. Get a real singer. Who sounds different, but can sing. For example, Maynard James Keenan. Not him, he's got Tool, but someone who sings as well as him and Layne.

haha you went from sounding somewhat cognisant to just complete stupidity haha. maynard what a joke talk about not wanting to hear someone cover layne jesus that would be the whiniest crappiest thing ever

[Gh.]

I don't have anything about aic making new album with DuVall, even considering it's not the best option, his just Lanyes copycat. But on the other hand I have respect for their choice, that their band and they'll do what they want. But hell, naming it Alice In Chains is unfair to fans and Layne. Alice was always Layne, Jerry, Sean and Mike, a unique mixture of life experiences, music tastes and souls. In addition, as a fan of the group I don't want to hear in the future from a younger fans that they don't know who Staley was, and I think that's a big probability if they won't change their name.

Btw. Why so many headlines on ug are so ambiguous and/or misleading. That's good for tabloids not for a guitarists community website.

[Tyler420]

ok am i wrong here? .. i have the mtv unplugged cd.. and
all three songs are on it... ? i just listened to them..?

[BGM>YOU]

I agree with the dude above me...They had ALL of those songs on the MTV Unplugged album.
And I've watched clips of Duvall with them over and over and haven't once said "Hey, this guy isn't as good as Layne...But he's okay". Becauese Layne Staley truly is irreplaceable and I would've sufficed with a new Jerry Cantrell album much more.
And Duvall hates Jerry Cantrell because on that one Youtube video where he (Cantrell) got hit in the face with a bottle a moronic fan threw...He just kept singing after Jerry stoped playing and went backstage because he just got hit in the face with a bottle.

[DANZIG767]

creativeboner wrote:

"For starters, did anyone know that William DuVall is black?"

Its uncommon thats why
Oh, and what the F#CK does him being black have to do anything!?!?!

[666Sabbath666]

I saw them last night, they actually were really good

[DANZIG767]

creativeboner wrote:

"For starters, did anyone know that William DuVall is black?"

Oh, and what the F#CK does him being black have to do anything!?!?!

Because its uncommon thats why

[BGM>YOU]

I don't want to hear in the future from a younger fans that they don't know who Staley was, and I think that's a big probability if they won't change their name.

I agree. I would love it if they changed their name...I mean it's annoying enough with a bunch of morons around the place that only know one AIC song, which is Them Bomes and only know that from Guitar Hero and they act like they are actually fans when they can't even name one band member or one other song.
I've just been against this whole thing for months now...I actually almost got tickets to a show in Chicago last October. And I'm still considering going tot a St. Louis show in Sept....But I just hate DuValls voice.

[snuggums1206]

They'll never be the same AIC.

[dirtymexican863]

"For starters, did anyone know that William DuVall is black?"

Haha, so funny. While a lot of people probably had the same reaction, it's one of those statements that could be left out of an article.

[perilouspete]

this is pretty old news considering they did an entire tour with him last year, i saw em at the rave in milwaukee and they completely rocked my ass off, one of the best shows i have ever been too. duvall has a kick ass voice. i'm seeing one of their acoustic shows in milwaukee and i can't wait. and about people not being "true fans" and only knowing one song by them....welcome to corporate america, it's no different than any other band like how many people only know "crazy train" by ozzy yet he's one of the best selling acts of all time. AIC kicks ass.

[perilouspete]

GuitarJunkie wrote:

Ned_Gerblansky wrote:

I have one question I'd like to ask William Duvall,

What's his drug of choice?



Well, what have you got?

I don't go broke...

[Caustic]

I love it when people hear about DuVall. Reminds me of the Lethal Weapon scene with the South Africans.
"But... but you're black!"

Anyway. They couldn't have picked a better man to pick up where Layne left off. DuVall is a great vocalist, has worked with Jerry in the past and has a great respect for the legacy of both the band and his predecessor.

I look forward to hearing the new material.

[kryzay311]

That guy is actually pretty awesome!

[Hexagram]

South-of-Heaven wrote:

Hexagram wrote:

i'm still cautious about this

I'm not, any new material they do will be fresh and raw, and probably better than Dirt or nearly as good as it.

I don't care if the new material will be "fresh and raw." I don't want one of my favorite bands being remembered for a record that does not have the same emotional power as the previous records, ESPECIALLY Dirt. As far as I am concerned, Dirt is the perfect album and would have been hard to surpass while Layne was alive, let alone with Duvall.

[SkinnyWhiteBoy]

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....

No, but it's uncommon in a predominantly white band, idiot.

[AtomicMaelstrom]

perilouspete wrote:

GuitarJunkie wrote:

Ned_Gerblansky wrote:

I have one question I'd like to ask William Duvall,

What's his drug of choice?



Well, what have you got?

I don't go broke...

And I do it a lot..

[Hexagram]

FrenchyFungus m :
I seriously wish people would stop bitching about the 'new' AIC. You don't want to give them a chance? Fine, your loss. But I fail to see how these guys performing and writing is a bad thing in any shape or form.

I'm not going to bitch because I am as interested to listen to a new AIC album as the next fan but as i have previously stated, i really don't want them to bomb. A lot has changed in the past decade that they have put out a new album, be it them or the audience they are trying to get their music too. I'm sure whatever they write will be good but will it be what the PAST AIC have put out? I highly doubt they can top that.

[hengler]

SkinnyWhiteBoy wrote:

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....

No, but it's uncommon in a predominantly white band, idiot.

Umm.. you're calling him the idiot when you just missed the most blatant sarcasm I've seen so far this year? :-/

[palefire]

William Duvall is black?

No, i didn't notice that when I saw them A YEAR AGO.

[break-me-in]

South-of-Heaven wrote:

Hexagram wrote:

i'm still cautious about this

I'm not, any new material they do will be fresh and raw, and probably better than Dirt or nearly as good as it.

I'm sorry what?! Did you say BETTER THAN DIRT? Nonsense...

[mister bass guy]

ill give them a chance...i loved the old singer though...

[wik3dspid3r]

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....


No, but it's uncommon in a predominantly white band, idiot.

Tell that to Lajon Witherspoon, The Lead Singer of Camdiria,Hed PE, In Living Colour or countless others.

[break-me-in]

For starters, did anyone know that William DuVall is black?

...*tumbleweed*











Ser iously, what the hell? He doesn't walk around in a mask all the time or anything. I mean, if it were about Slipknot or something, maybe that comment would make sense. Still, why does it matter?

[break-me-in]

Gh. wrote:

I don't have anything about aic making new album with DuVall, even considering it's not the best option, his just Lanyes copycat. But on the other hand I have respect for their choice, that their band and they'll do what they want. But hell, naming it Alice In Chains is unfair to fans and Layne. Alice was always Layne, Jerry, Sean and Mike, a unique mixture of life experiences, music tastes and souls. In addition, as a fan of the group I don't want to hear in the future from a younger fans that they don't know who Staley was, and I think that's a big probability if they won't change their name.

mister bass guy wrote:

ill give them a chance...i loved the old singer though...

Yet you don't know his name? Oh sh!t, it's started already.

[TSmitty6]

isnt this article a year late...
the videos r from july 06. i saw them in Nov 06, it kicked ass and im seeing them with velvet revolver in september, i think will improved alot by the time the videos were shot until the time i saw them. its their career, so i say, whatever im stickin behind it.

[rhymeswith suck]

September 8th, Vancouver.


I"M THERE BABY!!!!

[joshsirjoshules]

wow, could you have come up with a worse headline?

[Jondy]

"chrisontheroad :
"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.
Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before...."

oh wow I totally read that as "back" the first time I read that. I was like who the eff is that and where should I know him from?

[popcornmaster]

WOW what a total dick of "reporter" and whats more shameful is someone who runs this site has read it first to steal it from some other site.
This is more just a guys blog than any excuse for news. Ooh he is black yes (wtf does it matter his skin colour), they have been playing together for over year with this line up , so any self respecting fan would have known this, so thank you... thank you for gracing us with your essential news. Anyway william duvall is good imo, but i believe he only adds his own "twists" to the vocals because he can't hold his own against Layne. Best of luck to the band but keeping the name seems abit cheap, one can only hope its some sort of record company ploy to rake it in and not the bands personal choice.
Rip Staley

[Perforator]

What else is new!?

[fiftysteps]

i like his voice...it brings a new edge to the music.

[copet]

I'm not that big of an AiC fan, but my brother is and he doesn't like the new singer :/

[str84ever]

"Angry Chair," "Frogs" and "The Killer Is Me."

Those songs were on the unplugged album...

[Jakeylee111]

Seems good to me.

[el-gilberto]

they played support for metallica along with A7X in dublin last year, and they were awesome! i wouldnt be a hug AIC fan, but i would withouat a doubt go to see them if they play here!

[el-gilberto]

^thats huge, not hug....

[soulburn101]

str84ever wrote:

"Angry Chair," "Frogs" and "The Killer Is Me."

Those songs were on the unplugged album...

indeed, and they're on the VHS tape i bought like, 8 years ago.


DuVall's performance on "Love, Hate, Love" sold me. I'm looking forward to some new material with him, but I won't get my hopes up.

BTW: Anyone who hasn't checked out Boggy Depot should do so now!

[saad_nirvana]

[quoteI'd love to hear the unplugged angry chair][/quote]

Ever heard of downloading?






i was skeptical around 6 months ago but i heard williams "them bones" on youtube and i thought this guy nailed it


i mean even if he isnt layne,its worth giving it a shot?

[Black Hole Sun]

Dirk Gently
^ Yeah, because those people are a dime a dozen. Hell, every third person I bump into during the course of the day can sing like Keenan or Staley. It's really not uncommon to grab people who are quasi-soundalikes to replace lead singers. Look at what AC/DC did after Bon Scott died, or Queen in their current iteration.

Sorry, missed the part where I said they were common, or that I liked what AC/DC or Queen did. Oh, that's because I didn't. And I wasn't suggesting that they go looking through the street for this person, was I? Session musicians?

Tyler420 wrote:

Black Hole Sun wrote:

Bullshit. He sounds exactly like he's doing a Layne Staley impression. Get a real singer. Who sounds different, but can sing. For example, Maynard James Keenan. Not him, he's got Tool, but someone who sings as well as him and Layne.

haha you went from sounding somewhat cognisant to just complete stupidity haha. maynard what a joke talk about not wanting to hear someone cover layne jesus that would be the whiniest crappiest thing ever

Already happened, dipshit. And he did it well. Whiniest crappiest thing ever? And you call me stupid.

[zerodeck]

Jondy wrote:

"chrisontheroad :
"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.
Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before...."

wait...there was this one guy...damn what was his name again...it ended with 'ix'...oh yea now I know: Jimi mtf Hendrix! lol for no one bringing that up
blues was invented by black men, rock would be totally different without them, I hope we never forget that

[sowhat360]

the reason why AIC's music is so powerful, in my opinion, is that layne lived and breathed those lyrics. It's not the random garbage sing about a girl you broke up with or are infatuated with lyrics. The stuff he sings about is the stuff that eventually killed him. How can any other person compare to that? If they wanted to continue playing music they should have changed the name of their band and started fresh. I just think AIC's lyrics are too personal. They should have come up with a new name. Hell they should have found some old singer from the 90's and just did what Velvet Revolver did.

[AtomicMaelstrom]

chrisontheroad wrote:


Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....

a great, big sigh for everyone who took that post seriously. and a bigger, orgasmic sigh because Hendrix was already mentioned.

Rocky George is the best, anyhow

[k00kie M0nster]

lol love the title, even though they still stink.

[TC1223]

nice headline

Checked.

[majesty]

i saw them last night in toronto with velvet revolver,i must say they do put on a good show

[metalneck]

I saw them live an was very impressed. Duvall is a good replacement.

[Spankey]

The New guy's not bad. I would like to see them live.

Phil Anselmo, I thought, did a good job on "Would?"

[frizzle fry]

Spankey wrote:

The New guy's not bad. I would like to see them live.

Phil Anselmo, I thought, did a good job on "Would?"

I would rather have Phil with them or somebody who actually had a connection with the band to sing for them (Like Phil, or Maynard) but no some nobody (who is a good singer though)

[IUseAPurplePick]

Wow, that new singer is great. I honestly thought, "You know what, screw newer AiC, no one can replace Layne's position in the band." But now that I've heard that, I think I've changed my mind. I'm sure we'd all rather have layne, but the new singer is great.

[lostinpieces]

who cares if his a nobody, his a good replacement, thats all that matters.

[Kinderfeld]

Sounds pretty good. I'll buy the new album.

[Vedder]

I saw them last night in toronto, they were absolutely incredible, blew velvet revolver away I thought. Duval is no layne, but he did an outstanding job and if you didn't know any better, at times you'd think it was layne himself singing...especially during rooster.

[saucehead]

As a die hard AIC fan I can say firsthand that I was skeptical at best before hearing Duvall. However, I had the pleasure of seeing them at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago back in November. Duvall did a great job. I realize everyone is going to have their opinion, but save it for after you've actually heard the guy. It's amazing how fast some people are to pass judgement. I could care less if the guy's black, a "no name" or whatever. Obviously Jerry and the fellas picked a guy that they thought fit. Staley is gone. The old AIC songs are not and deserve to be played on.

[Catastrophy94]

yea i love this band and im so glad that there releassing new meterial, im seing this with velvet revolver this saturday and its ganna be ****ing awsome, AIC kicks ass

[theacoustic27]

so this is cool..i hope things work out..i just remember about a year ago..when they came to my city (Lubbock Tx,) i was excited bought a ticket..the promo for the month before was about how much the band missed the road and the fans. but when the go on stage about 30 min. into the show Jerry threw down his gutiar and walked off stage in the middle of a song and never came back on..just left the band on stage and the fans wondering what happened. he claims it was a sound problem but this does not justify what he did to the die hard fans that waited for these tickets and the show i really hope he has fixed his problem and his attitude

[travisholland]

if they are going to call themselves alice in chains, cantrell should sing and they should just get a 2nd guitar player.

[bucky_2300]

"The New Alice In Chains Might Actually Be Good"

Greatest headline ever.

[the1]

OMG

I can't ****kin wait!

[Hamsterboy420]

SkinnyWhiteBoy wrote:

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....


No, but it's uncommon in a predominantly white band, idiot.

im not sure. but mike starr and/or mike inez something other than white? and if so so why should that have surprised any "fans" of the band.

[sambargun]

I give two ****s as to what everyone else thinx, I checked out those videos and its safe to say that AIC is back.....

[casesomething]

i saw them in a real small venue in albany (ny) last october. they were really good so dont worry about them not sounding the same.

[aocrkid]

perilouspete wrote:

GuitarJunkie wrote:

Ned_Gerblansky wrote:

I have one question I'd like to ask William Duvall,

What's his drug of choice?



Well, what have you got?

I don't go broke...

an' i do it alot [ i do it aloot!] commence solo

[ElephantTalk]

im 27 and was a big AIC fan at the time and was cynical about todays music for a long time thinking its not as good as early 90s music, but realise now music has moved on and they need to come up with something innovative not just rehash old ground. Having said that they are pretty much classic rock now so it cant be too innovative.

[kitfoo]

"Columbia/Legacy will be reissuing the Alice in Chains "MTV Unplugged" performance from April 1996. This reissue will include three previous unreleased songs, "Angry Chair," "Frogs" and "The Killer Is Me.""

Funny, I bought the DVD last year and it already had those on it. Also, the CD had them on it when I bought it back in 1996. I'm not seeing any "unreleased" songs here.....

[MetalliRage]

IM SEEING THEM AT Jones BEACH THIS SATURDAY WITH VR AND I CANT WAITTTTT!!!!! its the best and most hyped up concert this summer in ny. everyone i no tried to get tickets and failed but i got mine. my second time seeing vr but i bought the ticket more to aic. cantrel is a songwriting genious.

[Black Hole Sun]

"Yeah, we've got these 3 previously unreleased songs we released previously."

[AGirlCalledIt]

Its not that i have anything against Duvall i just think alice in chains died with layne staley. They should have changed their name in my opinion. Ah i miss early 90's music....

[FenderMaster]

Duvall is a great singer and his voice suits the band pefectly! isnt that what really matters most?

of course Layne was a legend, and will never be forgotten (by us) but if theres a great vocalist who can fit with AiC and continues the great band, well...

... im happy anyway...

AiC should NOT change their name, as long as they continue to sound like AiC, and make AiC style songs

[screamingtadpol]

I think the characteristics Layne withheld helped make Alice what it was. They were one of the first bands I got into, and i can't help but feel like this is wrong. I love cantrell, and I know the band has talent, I just think Alice was a place and a moment in time. A time that has passed. I think they should continue but leave the past behind with a new name. I will give them the shot/credit they deserve, but Alice in Chains isn't Alice in Chains without Layne.

[BlueZephyr]

To guy who wrote this article: I don't care that you like AIC or not. Please don't insert your own views into a news article.

[fireoptic]

OF COURSE the new AIC is good. Their great!

[saipanfez]

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....

Jimi Hendrix, dude.

[Tyler420]

Black Hole Sun wrote:

Dirk Gently
^ Yeah, because those people are a dime a dozen. Hell, every third person I bump into during the course of the day can sing like Keenan or Staley. It's really not uncommon to grab people who are quasi-soundalikes to replace lead singers. Look at what AC/DC did after Bon Scott died, or Queen in their current iteration.
Sorry, missed the part where I said they were common, or that I liked what AC/DC or Queen did. Oh, that's because I didn't. And I wasn't suggesting that they go looking through the street for this person, was I? Session musicians?

Tyler420 wrote:

Black Hole Sun wrote:

Bullshit. He sounds exactly like he's doing a Layne Staley impression. Get a real singer. Who sounds different, but can sing. For example, Maynard James Keenan. Not him, he's got Tool, but someone who sings as well as him and Layne.

haha you went from sounding somewhat cognisant to just complete stupidity haha. maynard what a joke talk about not wanting to hear someone cover layne jesus that would be the whiniest crappiest thing ever
Already happened, dipshit. And he did it well. Whiniest crappiest thing ever? And you call me stupid.

I dont really care i just know that guy sounds like a dick

[1llusionz]

lmao @ ppl who didnt catch chrisontheroad's sarcasm.

It is quite obvious.

[InTheFlesh!]

sweet!~

Checked.

[Nole07]

why doesnt jerry just sing? i'm pretty sure he could pull off most of the guitars and vocals.

[MetalliRage]

jerry cant sing cause it onto be the same. my favorite part of aic was the chilling backup vocals. im glad they got someone to imitate the voice.

[SkinnyWhiteBoy]

hengler wrote:

SkinnyWhiteBoy wrote:

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....

No, but it's uncommon in a predominantly white band, idiot.
Umm.. you're calling him the idiot when you just missed the most blatant sarcasm I've seen so far this year? :-/

He stated it in a way so that the guy who said it looked like an idiot. Of course there are black rock musicians, it would be blatantly ignorant to think otherwise. However, the article writer said was suprised because up until this point Alice in Chains has been a predominantly white band.

So, yes, he was an idiot for posting that comment, and you're not that much higher than him seeing as you didn't see what I was trying to say.

[Eruption_Rocker]

I watched the videos. I have to admit, while DuVall is no Layne Staley, he's definitely a worthy replacement. That's my opinion. I'm glad AIC is back, because they are tied with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Nirvana as my favorite bands.

[HavokStrife]

kitfoo wrote:

"Columbia/Legacy will be reissuing the Alice in Chains "MTV Unplugged" performance from April 1996. This reissue will include three previous unreleased songs, "Angry Chair," "Frogs" and "The Killer Is Me.""

Funny, I bought the DVD last year and it already had those on it. Also, the CD had them on it when I bought it back in 1996. I'm not seeing any "unreleased" songs here.....

x2!

[HellrzngPinhead]

When will everybody realize that this is NOT AiC! This is some nobody that no one has ever heard of who just got lucky, and the rest of the band. Also, I think it's ridiculous that he's like "We're writing new material." BS, THEY'RE probably writing it and you're just the singer of what used to be an insanely godly band.

[toussaia]

This is going to be awesome.

[naturegirl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acdcLf2vL6Q&NR=1

[toussaia]

HellrzngPinhead wrote:

When will everybody realize that this is NOT AiC! This is some nobody that no one has ever heard of who just got lucky, and the rest of the band. Also, I think it's ridiculous that he's like "We're writing new material." BS, THEY'RE probably writing it and you're just the singer of what used to be an insanely godly band.

Who pissed in your kool-aid?

[-[NiL]-]

*Wants new album already*

I believe in them. This record will be superb, that's all there is to it.

[Nor'Easterbass]

I liked the new singer alot. I'll actually buy this CD because of that. I'm real glad they're playing again so I can go see them play. Still wish i was around to see Layne...

[CryoCarnage]

man i saw them last night. AMAZING SHOW at the Amplitheatre!

[SGstriker]

damn, that nutshell clip was great. Im actually looking forward to it now.

[MadisonInChains]

ok in my opinion it should be a new name with Jerry singing no one else.
I like DuVall but no one and i mean no one can replace Layne T. Staley

[MadisonInChains]

RIP Layne

[jamman84]

Saw them back in November, great, great show. Whatever will get these guys out and about again. I think Duvall played in an opening act for jerry's 2002 degradation tour, I really dug they way he played the hell outta his guitar, real cool. Who the hell is layne Staley? just kidding, R.I.P.

[Kurnalklank]

MadisonInChains wrote:

RIP Layne

i agree dude i saw AIC last summer and Duval ws with them he sounded like layne but i don't think he was trying to sing like him its just the way he sings and can u imagine him sining alice's old songs any other way if he did i think it would be a disgrace long live the memory of Layne

[Blash]

Dammit, my dad and I wanted to see them with VR really bad at Darien Lake, but we can't (my sisters would have to go if we did). Godsmack is a good replacement though.
The singer sounds good IMO, I don't mind if he's a Stanley impersonator or not, he has a good grasp of the AiC vibe.

Well, ss anyone going to see them at Darien Lake (NY)? Just wondering.

[benjistar666]

creativeboner wrote:

"For starters, did anyone know that William DuVall is black?"
i think the writers just trying to make the point that layne was white and duvall is black but they still sound really similar and the grunge era was spawned from the white trash of america and this is breaking the norm if you will
so no racism intended my friend

Oh, and what the F#CK does him being black have to do anything!?!?!

[gnr2150]

Fuck i wish layne wasn't dead, duvall is ok but they need someone with more of a growl than a high pitched yell. IT'S NOT THE SAME.

[Case_]

Grunge is dead, let it rest peacefully. It's appeal was in its reflection of the self destructive lifestyle of man, which rung true when two of its biggest icons died unnatural deaths which where either directly or indirectly brought on by drug dependency.

In my opinion, to try and bring it back distorts the original vision of these tragic artists. If the remaining members of these bands want to keep playing music I have no objection, but they should at least change their name, because they are not Alice in Chains without Layne. Dave Grohl, whether you like him or hate him, did not try to be Nirvana 2, he found his own niche.

[CORT noob]

Man, I'd love to see them live. But, I don't think you can judge him by a live recording, it will sound different on CD.

[f1sk]

sowhat360 wrote:

the reason why AIC's music is so powerful, in my opinion, is that layne lived and breathed those lyrics. It's not the random garbage sing about a girl you broke up with or are infatuated with lyrics. The stuff he sings about is the stuff that eventually killed him. How can any other person compare to that? If they wanted to continue playing music they should have changed the name of their band and started fresh. I just think AIC's lyrics are too personal. They should have come up with a new name. Hell they should have found some old singer from the 90's and just did what Velvet Revolver did.

Yeah I agree, I have mixed feelings about the whole thing, its cool that they are back but I wish they would just do a velvet revolver type thing, not like them, just that they started something totally new. Similar to dave grohl. etc

[Decembero]

The title of this article is quite patronising, As if the new stuff is being harshly compared to the old stuff. At least the band is still making music instead of splitting up. I personally dont listen to them now.

Check

[DenHond]

I've always loved their song "them bones"

[Mud Martian]

DenHond wrote:

I've always loved their song "them bones"

Yeah, great song and all, but the problem I've found with not only Alice in Chains, but many bands, is someone likes one or two songs by the band and then they get $80 tickets to go see them live. Honestly, people, there are people who are huge fans of 'Chains (or any other band for that matter) that want to see them live. If you aren't a big fan of them, leave a ticket in queue for someone who is. I think that's one of the biggest problems with the 'Chains comeback. Everyone knows "Them Bones" because of Guitar Hero, or a couple of other songs that they may have heard on the radio, but they don't actually KNOW Alice in Chains. They don't know Layne Staley and they don't have any appreciation of the music and what it is about and what it was. I'm all for going to a show and having fun, but seriously, you can get drunk and hear music at a bar, for less money, and without pissing off people who really love the band/s. But I'm sounding like a whiny little bitch now, so I'm just going to say, rock on 'Chains. It'll be different and harder without Layne at the front, but I fully support Jerry and the crew, just as they've supported me (emotionally) in my life with their music.

I'm seeing them on August 17th.

[break-me-in]

Case_ wrote:

Grunge is dead, let it rest peacefully. It's appeal was in its reflection of the self destructive lifestyle of man, which rung true when two of its biggest icons died unnatural deaths which where either directly or indirectly brought on by drug dependency.

In my opinion, to try and bring it back distorts the original vision of these tragic artists. If the remaining members of these bands want to keep playing music I have no objection, but they should at least change their name, because they are not Alice in Chains without Layne. Dave Grohl, whether you like him or hate him, did not try to be Nirvana 2, he found his own niche.

Grunge has died a bit. But a grunge revival would be great. Pearl Jam are still going anyway. But you're right that AIC should change their name or something. Thing is, the reason Foo Fighters were nothing like Nirvana 2 was because Nirvana was all Kurt Cobain. Dave Grohl writes in a completely different style. But if AIC were to carry on, they would be playing similar stuff because Jerry Cantrell would still be writing for them.

[iroxen]

chrisontheroad wrote:

"did anyone know Duvall is black?"
OMGZXD!!!!1!!1!!!!11lolz.

Because there's definitly /never/ been another black rock musician before....

Have you ever heard of Jimi Hendrix??? FYI, He is a rock legend and have influenced many leading guitarist of our time... Peace out!!!

[Arkyopterix]

For god's sake, would people PLEASE stop saying AIC can't exist without Layne. Sure, he was a great vocalist, but he's dead - live with it. Is that supposed to stop the careers of 3 brilliant other musicians? That's not what Layne would've wanted...

And if they renamed it, how woul dthey make as much money?

[slash4472]

I think we're all giving Layne Staley a littletoo much credit. Yes he was an amazing singer whose voice reached out to millions. But what you're all seeming to forget is that there are three other very capable musicians in that band who are still alive. To criticize DuVall is one thing, but to claim that Alice in Chains should change their name is to put Layne Staley on a pedestal above Jerry Cantrell,Sean Kinney,and Mike Inez.

As far as new music is concerned, I'm actually a little bit excited. I mean yes it will be wierd not hearing Layne singing, but it's still Alice in Chains.

[Gh.]

Hell they should have found some old singer from the 90's and just did what Velvet Revolver did.

Nice idea. Cornell would be nice, if he hasn't been a cash seeking d*** since mid-90.

[jamman84]

I believe it was layne that was holding the band back you know, with all his junky business. jerry wrote better songs and was more talented of the two. Really, the band doesn't need to bring anyone else in. They're still just as good if not functional

[jpmma1]

I have been hearing about the new singer for Alice In Chains and was excited to finally hear it when I went to the links that were provided. Um, what the hell is that? Duvall basiclly sounds like I walked in to a Vegas show! I had been hearing how much he sounded like Layne, not even close! The first thing is that you never try to sound like the original, because you can't! Duvall sounds like he is trying with all his might, and it makes it suck even worse! I enjoyed the times of Alice In Chains with Layne, so of course I will always expect a certain sound. But honestly, there are much better singers out there than this guy! I see people posting about trying to find one, isn't it worth the search to find the best person who actually matches the band talent wise? The rest of the band sounded amazing, and then you add Duvall. It's like being at a bar where the live band is playing and as your hear the music you think to your self, not bad. Then the lead singer opens his or her mouth and blurts out the first note and you get up and leave. When I thought of them starting to play again, I pictured a singer who would actually treat the songs that were done by Layne like they were the most important thing in their life. And actually sing them with emotion. Like they were saying to Layne, it sucks that your gone, but this one is for you. Duvall just to me fills a role so the talented ones can play! And as for him being black, who gives a crap! When Sneakers was still around in San Antonio, I saw Seven Dust when they were first releasing their music. I had never heard of them and they came out whith the lights low. I hear this voice and then the lights come up. Guess what, he was black too!

[Black Hole Sun]

Tyler420 wrote:

Black Hole Sun wrote:

Dirk Gently
^ Yeah, because those people are a dime a dozen. Hell, every third person I bump into during the course of the day can sing like Keenan or Staley. It's really not uncommon to grab people who are quasi-soundalikes to replace lead singers. Look at what AC/DC did after Bon Scott died, or Queen in their current iteration.
Sorry, missed the part where I said they were common, or that I liked what AC/DC or Queen did. Oh, that's because I didn't. And I wasn't suggesting that they go looking through the street for this person, was I? Session musicians?

Tyler420 wrote:

Black Hole Sun wrote:

Bullshit. He sounds exactly like he's doing a Layne Staley impression. Get a real singer. Who sounds different, but can sing. For example, Maynard James Keenan. Not him, he's got Tool, but someone who sings as well as him and Layne.

haha you went fro