R.I.P. Layne….Long Live Alice in Chains…..If anyone can pull this off, Jerry Cantrell can

Congratulations to Alice in Chains! As long as Jerry’s guitar and voice are involved, it’s going to sound like Alice. I can’t wait for the album. By the way, I think that’s the lowest number of drum notes in any AiC song ever……..and it was a 7 minute song!

“A looking in View” is a good choice for a re-introduction of the band. 7 minutes of black sabbath sludge but it still sounds like AIC. William’s and Jerry’s voices work well together and William gets to show off in a few vocal solo’s near the end of the song to get you pumped to hear more. Holla I’m seeing them in Portland in September at the Roseland!!!!!!

This is a fucking disgrace to Layne. When a singer dies there is no fucking way you should replace him.

I have been a lifelong fan of Alice in Chains, every since a buddy bought “Facelift.” The singing and playing on that record made me a fan and always awaiting every release. While this song is heavy on Jerry Cantrell and only eerily sounds like Alice near the end of the song (most of the time sounding like an extraordinary J.C. song), the song still rocks and opens up what will be a great chapter in the history of Alice. Go Alice!

yeah this is promising. i had tickets to see the *updated aic a couple years ago in nyc, but i actually backed out cuz i was so afraid to hear them without layne.

so yuda yuda im a big aic/layne era fan.

and i can suprisingly admit it’s great to hear aic again! i know it won’t be the same. but they waited a LOOOOONG time. and they never really abandoned layne and the legacy did they? kudos the guys for faithfully acknowledging the adoration of their fans.

you did it right. and now im sad i didnt go and see them.

miss you layne!

Wow.This album is gonna rule

This video is just depressing. They used to jam about relevant things, but come on they need to lighten up and not try to be so stereotypically metal. They used to be in a genre all their own. This isn’t fresh and it’s not the way to return.

I am a long time AIC fan, and this is just depressing. Why would they do this? For a band that says they are mindful of their legacy, they sure just screwed theirs up. This is a boring, unnecessarily long and repetitive song, and this sound was dated 10 years ago. This would not have even have been good enough to have been a B side on any of their old albums, and you AIC fans all know this. I certainly hope the rest of the album sounds A LOT better than this.

Why come back after 15 years to play generic, boring sounding metal riffs that we’ve all heard a million times before? If they came back without Layne, they should have come back with a different, more updated sound, playing different sounding music. This is just embarrassing, and this album is going to sell like 50 copies. Cantrell needs to take some lessons from Josh Homme on how to write interesting, heavy droning rock music that doesn’t sound like recycled obsolescence. This is just SO unnecessary.

fucking great song. even without Layne it’s still unmistakably AIC.

Extra points for boobies in the video too…

This song was mediocre at best and should have only been about 3:30 long – the boobies were the only memorable part. I hope the rest of the album is better.

Thanks to David for telling us AIC fans what we know, much appreciated. Let me correct you on a few things though, in the spirit of debate. This song would have been a B side on “AIC” (95)?…that whole album was a B side, as much as I love Layne, he had killed that version of AIC by that point and the album suffers to the point of being rendered unlistenable. But that version of AIC was not Layne’s, he was not AIC.
So here they are with a new album with a new singer, and you are complaining that they sound like AIC? You’re upset that they don’t play updated, newer sounding music? It doesn’t comfort you that the “new” AIC chains sounds like good “old” AIC? When hearing this song you couldn’t close your eyes and flash back 17 years? All this song did was make you pissed at them? Your the fans spokesman? Good work.

I can’t believe this shit! Alice in Chains is the equivilant of a piston poppin, egg salad sandwich munchin, high heel wearin, class clown stealin, wall drug houndin, grocery cart draggin, version of houdini.

They should have changed names, calling themselves Alice in chains is just setting themselves up for failur by adding insurmountable pressure.

yall are a bunch of whiney bitches!

listening to people complain about the new AIC music is retarded. like any of us are in any position to be picky.

the music industry has been coughing up garbage for years.
come on, even alice in chains by their last album, with layne, was spinning their grunge wheels.

to say the least the new music will be far more satisfying then most other rock music at the moment. but if you were expecting another “DIRT” that aint happening.

and david why would a great band like AIC go to Josh Homme for advice, because he’s so relevant? he hasn’t dropped a major single in years. so why the hell would you go to him? if you want AIC so damn UP-To-DATE maybe we should get Will.I.Am to produce some tracks with some nice T-Pain autotune overdubs for ya!

SELL OUT!

David, Just because you don’t like something, it should never have been made? Fortunately for a lot of people, that’s not the way it works. What could be more pointless than a band forcing themselves to sound like something they are not? They should be commended for making the album they wanted to make and not giving in to pressures of the market place.

I don’t necessarily care for this first song, but nevertheless, I will be checking out the album. They deserve the benefit of the doubt, based on their track record. I know something on there will catch my interest.

and after a couple listens, this song is actually fuckin nice.

im glad it’s long, it won’t get the cheeseball treatment of MTV and RADIO, like who cares about those two anymore any way.

and who ever complained that it’s generic needs to go suck on Fall Out Boy cock.

“when a singer dies there is no fucking way you should replace him”

…AC/DC, anyone?

As we debate over the said “legacy of AIC”, “how they should sound”, “length of they’re single”, etc….let’s remember one thing, rust never sleeps.

The founding member of Alice, was/is not only a secondary voice, but also the principle song writer/lead guitarist.

Stylistically, vocally, and lyrically…this is what we can recall. Haunting, churning, without relent, they describe what is truely relevant – LIFE.

Forget “too long”, ignore “dated”….if mind altering reflection is what one looks for, look no further…

The medicine has returned, pucker up your ears.

Not sure what the big complaint here is. Song is good and much like stuff from the last album (which was mostly written by Jerry anyway). I will be interested in hearing the rest of the album for sure.

Sounds like Jerry is going to be ostracized either way…people complain for acquiring another singer and keeping the AIC name, or he could’ve changed the band name, kept the sound, and have people complain that he’s trying to sound like AIC. I think it sounds great considering we haven’t heard anything new from them in almost 15 years.

Kudos! Keep up the hard work

It seems as if Cantrell and the rest of AIC have the right aproach, not trying to replace Layne. Obviously he had an original sound that made AIC what we know and love. I don’t fault them for wanting to continue, and they have the right idea of going about it. I look forward to listening to this album.

At first, I was pretty apprehensive about them using the AIC name. I listen to the new tune and it sounds great. It has the usual punishing Cantrell riffs, all the while getting used to the somewhat new vocal sound. Everyone knows that Duvall can’t replace Layne, so why even think that? Give him a chance, and soak in the new sound.

First, I’m a huge AIC/Layne fan and I support their decision. I saw William’s first gigs with Jerry and always hoped hed sing for AIC one day.

Second, wow, Jerry really likes to say the eff word. Neat.

Third, what the HELL were they thinking releasing this draggy 7 minute tune that barely showcases their new singer as their first impression?

Good production, ok song, 4 minutes too long, absolutely horrible tune to choose as a first release in 14 years.

While agree that “replacing” a lead singer is nearly impossible, LS wasn’t the only lead singer in AIC. Jerry sang a lot, on almost every song. So, it’s not a stretch to go one without him. All DuVall needs to is blend in and add to the sound, not be the focal point.

And let’s be honest here… Layne Staley was a great lead singer. But he was a junkie who hijacked this band in the last few years of his life. The rest of them couldn’t do anything because of the state he was in. I’ll give Jerry the benefit of the doubt for wanting to get around to some unfinished business. The guy wrote most all the songs, sang on most all the songs, plays lead guitar on all the songs, and obviously cares a TON about the band’s legacy. I trust him to steer the ship in the right direction. I, for one, cannot wait for this album to come out.

Besides, plenty of bands have put out good stuff with new lead singers: AC/DC, Iron Maiden, (some) Genesis, Pink Floyd, New Order (granted, a different name than Joy Division), (some) Van Halen, etc… just to name a few. So, all you Layne apologists, don’t act like Jerry and co. are stomping on his grave by continuing to want to make music together.

Sounds great. Great riff, great vocals and harmonies, great chorus. Yeah it’s long but so what. It’s an album track, it’s not the first single.

Can’t wait for the album.

i saw alice in chains open for velvet revolver a few years ago still fucking awesome! Duvall has a sick voice

Jerry put out two good solo records. Bogey Depot was almost a classic. I’ll listen to what he puts out AIC or not.

If I find out any of you yahoos applauding this ‘Alice In Chains’ album are the same morons criticizing Axl’s Chinese Democracy I will come after you with a shovel and put another dent in your head.

Lest any of you forget, Cantrell and Staley started this band together, at the same time. It’s not like Staley invited Cantrell to play with him after the band was already formed. People need to get over themselves and let Jerry write the music he loves. I’m sure you’ll love it as well.

BTW, Pearl Jam & Alice In Chains with new albums in September? Is it 1993 or something?

I’m disapppointed. I wanted to like it but I can’t. Listening to this song over & over gives me no change in opinion.

I’m disapppointed. I wanted to like it but I can’t. Listening to this song over & over gives me no change in opinion. William is “ok” at best. With a legacy like AIC, “ok” just doesn’t cut it. I won’t compare him to Layne because there’s no comparison but if William could compare, I’d like this new Alice much, much better. I have my doubts on the rest of the album. For Jerry to get lucky twice is really “pushing it”. Something as good as the original Alice usually only comes around once. Layne & Jerry were a duo that can’t be touched….and THAT is the ONLY reason why this NEW renditon of ALice won’t work….sorry!!

I loved AIC and when I first heard this song on the radio I knew it was the new AIC. Why? It has everything that the old AIC stuff had except Layne, yet still sounded like the next album after a routine break in any band’s career between albums.

I’m looking forward to this album. I guess like Pink Floyd circa 1987 and 1994, you just gotta accept that it won’t be the same, but it’s still the closest thing to the original as you’re going to get.

Be grateful for Cantrell and company’s guts and talent, stop complaining, and if you don’t like what you hear just accept that other people do.

AC/DC went forward after Bon Died

Good on ya Jerry I saw you when u came to Aus, I completely agree with you of course nothing will replace Layne but i gota admit William is pretty good, and the new song pisses on anything that any recent so called rock – post grunge nu – metal shitty ass band has come up with in the last 10 years

Alright! I can’t wait for Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains to save rock music in September! I’m glad that AIC had the guts to pick up the pieces and move on. Not an easy thing to do, I’m sure, but they still rock. I’m just glad we have these guys to come along and blow that whiney Linkin Park out of the water. Nu-metal? Try emo. And don’t get me started on nickelback, yesh, thanks for saving us from these overblown, contrived fellows.

Like your statement in your in studio sessions THATS FUCKEN ROCK, Layne is gone but never forgotten, Its great to here the band again, oh yeah Rock on William great voice, make Winnipeg, MB. a stop on your tour we can hardly Wait

Don

I agree with everyone with saying you can never replace Layne’s position in AIC. Just like any of the members he was an important part to the perfection they created. With that being said if the remaining members want to carry on I say give it a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained…

Anyone complaining about “A Looking In View”, “Check My Brain”, or Alice In Chains without Layne Staley needs to “Check THEIR Brain”. “A Looking in View” is plain and simply cutthroat and killer. Incredible video, one of the best in years, and an awesome long song for radio to deal with however they may. “Check My Brain” is awesome too. I can not WAIT to hear this whole album. The material I’ve heard so far is countless times better than the emo, pop, hip hop crap popularized on the airwaves and tv today. DuVall is an awesome choice as a frontman, and has the vocal talent and stage prescence to do the job. RIP Layne, now and forever. But this is a SHOCKINGLY impressive continuation of the band and it’s legacy.

where is my comment?

I miss Stanley, I think they should change the name. Great riff but song is to long with Duvall. He should add something new cause he cannot sing like Layne eighter cannot pull the song for its balls. “Your decision” is a disgrace for AIC but it is not the first Jerry fucking country-beautifull shit.

I wish them well anyway!

this is a fucking slice of disgrace to my mans grave! Layne was pissed on all over his grave.

This shit is so fucking generic that it deserves the death penalty for all the remaining “members” of AIC.For the love of an irreplaceable front man, and life of his own creation, somebody end this by way of a horrific accident, thus dispatching these traders from the face of this earth! whoever tolerates this porch monkeys intrusion on something that he in a thousand lifetimes could ever even scratch the surface of the talent Layne brought to war, also should suffer a tragic change of events!

Hey, you single cell organisms who are too ignorant and closed-minded to recognize a great album when you hear one:

First, your inability to let go of Layne Staley is not only keeping you from enjoying this great new AIC album, it’s also quite creepy.

Secondly, your lack of intelligence hurts any credibility any of your comments could have possibly contained. Traders? What are AIC doing? Trading beaver skins? It’s traitors. Two entirely different things. But don’t be surprised if it takes you a few weeks to get it. It will sink it one of these days.

The new AIC album rocks, whether you want to hold on to the past and deny it or not. It’s as AIC as AIC has ever been.

If anyone read any of the interviews with Jerry Cantrell they would have realized that the band struggled and is still struggling with the loss of their friend Layne. This album is not only a personal tribute from AIC to Layne but as a coming back to the music business. Jerry has way too much talent to throw it all away as do the rest of their band. He/they are NOT trying to “replace” Layne. This has been said by them again and again. But they are trying to move on, not give up. It took them over 14 years to do this. Like AC/DC, the band was going to quit after Bon Scott died but realized Bon would want them to keep playing. Peace to you Layne, you are not forgotten. AIC, your new album sounds great!!! And Will adds a new dimension to the sound.

So glad they’re back. People complaining about Layne should just get over themselves. Stop trying to be a fan, you’re just making yourself look like a moron. And with a Pearl Jam record out too, it’s like grunge is back again! My full support to AIC.