Alice In Chains Guitarist 'Really Proud' Of New Album

Alice In Chains recently finished work on its first studio album in 14 years, although the band did not preview any of the new material this past weekend at the Rock On The Range festival in Columbus, Ohio, where they played live for the first time since late last year. Even though it once seemed like the world would never see a new Alice In Chains record, guitarist Jerry Cantrell told The Pulse of Radio that he's pleased with what the group has accomplished this time.

"We're really proud of it," he said. "I'm really proud of all of us, man, that we decided to take this trip and decided to take the chance, you know what I mean, to continue and to move forward. The record's a win. Regardless of how it does, it's a win already for us, 'cause we really dig it and we stand behind it, and each other."

The yet-to-be-titled disc will be out in mid-September via Virgin Records, a division of EMI Music, and is the first full-length Alice In Chains studio effort since a self-titled 1995 album.

The new disc marks the recording debut of vocalist William DuVall. Original singer Layne Staley died of a drug overdose in 2002.

Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez regrouped in 2005 for a charity show before embarking on several tours in 2006 and 2007 with DuVall on the mic.

A preview in the Los Angeles Times called the new album "recognizably thundering and gloomy," with an acoustic track called "Your Decision" followed by what the reporter described as "a seven-minute epic built on heavy slabs of guitar, drums and bass, something like Black Sabbath but far quicker."

When asked about stepping into the shoes of Staley, DuVall told the Times, "It's a big thing. I've joined a group that has a strong identity and a strong legacy. Nobody's sitting here who wants to, in any way, disrespect or sully that legacy. You want to add to it."

All of Alice In Chains' previous albums and EPs were on Columbia Records.

Alice In Chains will support Kid Rock at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, July 18. Also scheduled to appear is Cypress Hill. Tickets are on sale via Tickets.com and at the Comerica Park box office.

Thanks for the report to Blabbermouth.net.

Comments

[SuicidalFreak]

The new album's gotta be as good as Dirt and better than the lame self-titled album.

[T.W.S.D.A.]

Awesome, but just one thing... How in the hell after a major comeback are they supporting Kid Rock?

[lutfish]

God damnit.
Why do they have to support kid rock?
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!

However, cool.

[fattypumbaa]

kid cock can suck a dick. he needs to go away. I've been listening to AIC lately some songs have lyrics where you just have to laugh because there so bad. I am looking forward to this album though. I'm curious. I hope it's ****ing great so fan boys stop bitching about no Layne since everyoe knows Jerry is AIC not the dead junkie.

[Grungefever]

fattypumbaa wrote:

kid cock can suck a dick. he needs to go away. I've been listening to AIC lately some songs have lyrics where you just have to laugh because there so bad. I am looking forward to this album though. I'm curious. I hope it's ****ing great so fan boys stop bitching about no Layne since everyoe knows Jerry is AIC not the dead junkie.

Layne wasn't just a dead junkie, he was the greatest vocalist ever!! and AIC has the best lyrics in the world!!

You're dumb!

[LifesSweetDrug]

SuicidalFreak wrote:

The new album's gotta be as good as Dirt and better than the lame self-titled album.

The s/t was better than most bands records I admit it wasn't there best album but it sure as hell isn't bad.

[azisnomarsa]

Why the ****, would you say that they had horrible lyrics, obviously you have never experienced any real issues, I for that matter have been through my demons and I must say that their lyrics helped at the time of need, and got me out of black hole where I had dragged myself.

[Lion_Slicer]

I agree with azisnomarsa above. Oh my god, the lyrics to the song "Dirt" are absolutely... brain-shattering is the phrase I would use. It's one song of several that I'm pretty sure kept me alive. Maybe they don't fit your tastes, but they are sure loaded--they have a real impact.

[kfong03]

alice in chains supporting kid rock? you mean kid rock supporting alice in chains right?

[acesorcerer17]

I already have tickets for this show!!!!

I can't ****ing wait. this will be my third time seeing them live.

[maidenfan15]

fattypumbaa wrote:

kid cock can suck a dick. he needs to go away. I've been listening to AIC lately some songs have lyrics where you just have to laugh because there so bad. I am looking forward to this album though. I'm curious. I hope it's ****ing great so fan boys stop bitching about no Layne since everyoe knows Jerry is AIC not the dead junkie.

That's not cool man. Layne was amazing.

[nave890]

yea baby yea

can't wait

[metal_licka]

Grungefever wrote:

Layne wasn't just a dead junkie, he was the greatest vocalist ever!! and AIC has the best lyrics in the world!!

You're dumb!

Have you even heard their new vocalist? He's just as good as Staley. If they ever tried to continue without Cantrell then it would be a tragedy, but as for the new album, I'm just as excited for it as I would have been had Staley still been alive, probably more so, due to the fact that with the new singer at least we have somebody who's reliable for a live show. Unlike Staley towards the end.

I saw AIC With DuVall earlier this year and they were explosive, and incredible live band.

I agree with you about the lyrics though... very meaningful to myself and many others.

[creedals]

Why the hell are AIC SUPPORTING kid rock?!!! Come on!! Alice in chains are twice the musicians kid is!! And their music's better!

[Rokeman]

Lion_Slicer wrote:

I agree with azisnomarsa above. Oh my god, the lyrics to the song "Dirt" are absolutely... brain-shattering is the phrase I would use. It's one song of several that I'm pretty sure kept me alive. Maybe they don't fit your tastes, but they are sure loaded--they have a real impact.

You just helped prove that "gloomy" music can help save lives, instead of the reverse (I'm referring to the Slipknot news from not too long ago). And I know that in very bad times, music can be a saviour.

Cheers Lion_Slicer

[kidrock#1]

ok layne was AiC and cantrell was just a guitarist/backup singer, bands can go on without original guitarists not vocalists, unless ofcourse kid rock were to take the job then it would be OK

[FooCards]

kidrock#1 wrote:

ok layne was AiC and cantrell was just a guitarist/backup singer, bands can go on without original guitarists not vocalists, unless ofcourse kid rock were to take the job then it would be OK

Kid Cock couldn't carry Jerry's guitar strap, Layne's mic stand, Sean's sticks, or Mike's bass amp.

[Grungefever]

metal_licka wrote:

Have you even heard their new vocalist? He's just as good as Staley. If they ever tried to continue without Cantrell then it would be a tragedy, but as for the new album, I'm just as excited for it as I would have been had Staley still been alive, probably more so, due to the fact that with the new singer at least we have somebody who's reliable for a live show. Unlike Staley towards the end.

I saw AIC With DuVall earlier this year and they were explosive, and incredible live band.

I agree with you about the lyrics though... very meaningful to myself and many others.

I have heard a lot of good things about DuVall, but I won't go as far as saying he's as good as Layne. He's not, but do I want to see AIC performing with him? HELL YEAH! I was born at the same time when AIC got popular and never had a chance to see them because of that. Now I will have a chance, and if I have to travel around the globe to see them, I will do it!