One of the most iconic and memorable groups to come out of the grunge era, Alice in Chains is a band any 90's rock lover knows. But they aren't just a "90's band"- if you're still a fan today, you know that since 2009 they've been rocking on into the 21st century. They've changed in many ways, however. Some common to all surviving "grunge" groups, in that the sound pretty much ended with the turn of the century, so changing genres was almost inevitable. Always one of the heavier grunge groups (some considering them strictly heavy metal, and not grunge), they came back with a sludgier, doom metal sound, and it worked incredibly well for them, having already been pretty heavy. But there's one more thing Alice in Chains changed that was unique to them.
Having tragically lost their sole frontman and lead singer, Layne Staley to a heroin overdose in 2002, Alice in Chains was in need of a new singer. Now, it is obviously an impossible task to "replace" someone like Layne; but that's not what the band ever had planned. They still had songwriter, lead guitarist, and secondary vocalist, Jerry Cantrell, who sang lead on multiple AIC hits (i.e. "Would?", "No Excuses"). And while Jerry definitely took over more vocal duties going forward, they needed a heavy, powerhouse singer who could sing Layne's parts, but make it his own. William DuVall was the answer to their prayers.
William DuVall's band at the time, Comes with the Fall, was touring with Jerry Cantrell in support of his solo record Degradation Trip, and he was immediately impressed by DuVall's voice. It would be while this tour was taking place that Staley would overdose... An eerie and upsetting start to their musical partnership, but their meeting was definitely meant to be. In 2006 DuVall was formally invited to join Alice in Chains, and in 2009 they released their first new record in 14 years, Black Gives Way to Blue.
I know this is a long introduction, but I feel the need to give an elaborate background to this record, as it has so much more meaning after you know all of this. The main point of my post is to focus on the significance of DuVall's joining the group on this particular record, and why it certainly couldn't have been an easy task. But that despite all of that, he absolutely crushes it.
The main reason why it would have been a difficult task for any new member to join at this time, let alone a new lead singer, is the nature of the record itself. Overall, it is an album made in memory of Layne. The title track itself is a piano-rock ballad (played by Elton John) mourning his death, and many other tracks on the album are about Layne. So it must have been pretty intimidating to join as his "replacement" on an album that is mostly about him. Somehow against all odds, however, William DuVall makes his own voice heard- and it is a powerful one.
The third track, "Last Of My Kind", is the only track where DuVall technically sings lead completely (on others he and Jerry share vocal duties, or it is completely Jerry). And in my opinion- it rips harder than anything else on the record. When I was in high school and heavily in my grunge phase, AIC were for a time my favorite band. I picked up this CD from the library unknowing of DuVall's existence at the time, (having only listened to their work with Layne) but after a first listen of this song, you bet I knew who he was, and I was blown away. His vocal performance on this song shot down any potential skeptics or haters who would say something like "bUt He'S nOt LaYnE!" and made them shut up and listen. You'll have to give it a listen for yourself to really know what I mean-
While that track is definitely the best example of DuVall's vocal work since it is only his voice, a few tracks down on "Acid Bubble" also shouldn't be overlooked. This extremely slow, doom metal track showcases his ability to pair his voice perfectly with Jerry's, which would have been another pressure from AIC fans on DuVall. They take turns on the verses, and DuVall takes over on each chorus, his voice belting out their message. It is seven minutes of powerful sludge, that show the band's ability to shift genres and kick ass at it. Check it out below.
A third example of DuVall's vocal ability can be heard on another Jerry duet, "Private Hell", which is definitely more depressing, and less head-banging. But that just shows how his voice can also do well with a sadder, less aggressive song (though he definitely still goes hard on the chorus). I could go over every instance of his singing on the album that should be recognized, but I'll leave the rest up to you to discover on your own, because there is definitely something more special in being surprised sometimes.
It is worth noting that DuVall gets to sing on the tracks that aren't allegedly (or confirmed) about Layne. I think this was intentional, and a good idea, so that it did not appear that he was overstepping his bounds as a new member of AIC, and leaving the commemorating up to Layne's former bandmates, and those who would have know him best. The album's opener also aids in DuVall's entrance to the band, even though he doesn't actually sing on it. "All Secrets Known" is Alice In Chains letting all listeners know that they're aware of everything that's happened to them, and that they are respectfully moving on. Layne is gone, and they can't bring him back. It's not the 90's anymore, and grunge is dead. But despite that- Alice In Chains will live on. And I think these sentiments behind the song really tell everyone to stop living in the past as well, and help make it easier to bring in a new lead singer.
Overall, Black Gives Way to Blue is two things- It is an incredible eulogistic album, that pays more than enough tribute to Layne Staley in a beautiful and heavy way. And it is the place where William DuVall first gets to make his voice heard as a new member of Alice In Chains, and does so incredibly well, despite the tributary nature of the album. For longtime fans of 90's grunge AIC who haven't yet ventured into their newer works with DuVall- the time has come. Don't be afraid of it "not being the same" because that's exactly NOT what the band would want. And while it is different, and in parts heavier, if you're at all a metal fan- trust me, you'll dig it. William DuVall deserves to be viewed as a unique and talented individual, and not just as "Layne's replacement", and this record is proof as to why that is. Thank you as always for reading, and please check out all of Black Gives Way to Blue, and AIC's later 2000's works for yourself!
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