Editing Alice in Chains (section)

==Artistry==
{{listen|filename=Nutshell.ogg
|title="Nutshell"
|description=A sample of "Nutshell" from ''[[Unplugged (Alice in Chains album)|Unplugged]]''. This song originally appeared on ''[[Jar of Flies]]'' and represents the unique acoustic sound Alice in Chains has created.}}

===Musical style===
Although Alice in Chains has been labeled [[grunge]] by the mainstream media,<ref name="AM"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Karan|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/jar-flies-alice-chains-unleashed-accidental-master-203922 |title=With Jar Of Flies, Alice In Chains unleashed an accidental masterpiece|website=A.V. Club|date=May 6, 2014}}</ref> Jerry Cantrell identifies the band as primarily [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. He told ''[[Guitar World]]'' in 1996, "We're a lot of different things&nbsp; ... I don't quite know what the mixture is, but there's definitely metal, [[blues]], [[rock and roll]], maybe a touch of [[punk rock|punk]]. The metal part will never leave, and I never want it to."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adbdesign.com/aic/articles/art004.html |first1=Jeff |last1=Gilbert |first2=Andy |last2=Aledort |title=Go Ask Alice |work=Guitar World |date=January 1996 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729233916/http://www.adbdesign.com/aic/articles/art004.html |archive-date=July 29, 2013 }} See also: [https://books.google.com/books?id=4R0xtoz_gQ8C&pg=142 1a], [https://books.google.com/books?id=4R0xtoz_gQ8C&pg=147 1b], [http://www.guitarworld.com/1996-guitar-world-interview-jerry-cantrell-alice-chains-discusses-songwriting-and-bands-new-self-titled-album?page=0,1 2].</ref> The ''[[Edmonton Journal]]'' has stated, "Living and playing in Seattle might have got them the grunge tag, but they've always pretty much been a [[classic metal]] band to the core."<ref>{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Murray|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/music/Alice+Chains+stroll+down+memory+lane+enthusiastic/8619032/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705155928/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/music/Alice+Chains+stroll+down+memory+lane+enthusiastic/8619032/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 5, 2013|title=Alice in Chains stroll down memory lane for enthusiastic Rexall fans|newspaper=[[Edmonton Journal]]|location=[[Edmonton]]|date=July 5, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2013}}</ref> A 1995 review of ''Alice in Chains'' from ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' dubbed the band "Seattle's most malevolent-sounding grunge outfit."<ref name="PeopleSTrev">{{cite web |title=Picks and Pans review: Alice in Chains |url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-alice-in-chains-vol-44-no-21/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024121501/https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-alice-in-chains-vol-44-no-21/ |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |date=November 20, 1995 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Over the course of their career, the band's sound has also been described as [[alternative metal]],<ref name="AM"/><ref>{{multiref2|1={{cite news|url=http://sundaygazettemail.com/Entertainment/201004140990 |title=Alice unboud: After a long absence, Alice In Chains is back |first=Bill |last=Lynch |newspaper=The Charleston Gazette |access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203181715/http://sundaygazettemail.com/Entertainment/201004140990|archive-date=February 3, 2013}}|2={{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QhhXAAAAIBAJ&pg=5766,270821|title='Alice' will rattle some chains|first=Patricia|last=Crean|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|access-date=September 27, 2012}}}}</ref> [[sludge metal]],<ref>{{multiref2|1={{cite web|url=http://vulturehound.co.uk/2012/07/how-havent-you-heard-alice-in-chains-dirt/|title=How Haven't You Heard&nbsp; ... Alice In Chains – Dirt|last=Conway|first=James|date=July 2, 2012|publisher=[[Vulture Hound]] Magazine|access-date=November 16, 2012|archive-date=July 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714053015/http://vulturehound.co.uk/2012/07/how-havent-you-heard-alice-in-chains-dirt/|url-status=dead}}|2={{cite news|title=Alice in Chains breaks free of a style|first=J.D|last=Considine|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/10/23/alice-in-chains-breaks-free-of-a-style/|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|location=Baltimore|date=October 23, 1992|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801233050/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-10-23/entertainment/1992297004_1_alice-in-chains-keith-jarrett-michael-bolton|url-status=live}}|3={{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LB&p_theme=lb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAE8F7148A842EF&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|title=THE METAL'S GONE, BUT THE TUNES AND MOODS REMAIN|publisher=Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA)|access-date=September 26, 2012}}|4={{cite magazine|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/aliceinchains-dirt/|title=Alice in Chains: Dirt|first=Michael|last=Christopher|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|date=September 23, 2003|access-date=September 28, 2012}}|5={{cite web|url=http://entertainment.stv.tv/music/136701-music-previews-alice-in-chains-tegan-and-sara-and-will-young/|title=Music previews: Alice in Chains, Tegan and Sara and Will Young|first=Michael|last=MacLennan|publisher=[[STV (TV channel)|STV]]|access-date=May 11, 2013|archive-date=November 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114235844/http://entertainment.stv.tv/music/136701-music-previews-alice-in-chains-tegan-and-sara-and-will-young/|url-status=dead}}|6={{cite web|url=http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/cd-alice-chains-devil-put-dinosaurs-here|title=CD: Alice in Chains - The Devil put Dinosaurs Here|first=Russ|last=Coffey|website=The Arts Desk|date=May 26, 2013|access-date=May 27, 2013}}|7={{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/reviews/album/2013/05/23/alice-in-chains-the-devil-put-dinosaurs-here-chris-familton/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here|first=Chris|last=Familton|publisher=The Music.com.au|access-date=May 24, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055157/http://themusic.com.au/reviews/album/2013/05/23/alice-in-chains-the-devil-put-dinosaurs-here-chris-familton/|url-status=dead}}}}</ref> [[alternative rock]],<ref>{{multiref2|1={{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Sarah |date=December 13, 2018 |title=Alice in Chains Unveil 'Rainier Fog' Companion Film |url=https://exclaim.ca/film/article/alice_in_chains_detail_rainier_fog_inspired_film_project |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=[[Exclaim!]] |quote=... the long-running alt-rock outfit have revealed plans for a companion film}}|2={{Cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |date=May 9, 2016 |title=Alice in Chains announce North American tour |url=https://consequence.net/2016/05/alice-in-chains-announce-north-american-tour/ |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=Consequence |quote=Alt rock titans' summer outing commences in July}}}}</ref><ref name="AM"/> [[doom metal]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/204863|title=ALICE IN CHAINS – "It's Not Like We're Trying To Recapture Dirt&nbsp; ... We Already Made That Fucking Record!"|first=Martin|last=Popoff|author-link=Martin Popoff|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=June 12, 2013|archive-date=June 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610051758/http://www.bravewords.com/news/204863|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=sputnik>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/56786/Alice-In-Chains-Alice-in-Chains/|title=Review: Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains|first=Brendan|last=Schroer|website=Sputnikmusic|access-date=March 16, 2014}}</ref> and [[hard rock]].<ref name="AM"/><ref name="About">{{cite web|url=http://rock.about.com/od/aliceinchains/p/Alice.htm|title=Alice in Chains Biography and Profile|first=Tim|last=Grierson|publisher=[[About.com]]|access-date=September 26, 2012|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006144237/http://rock.about.com/od/aliceinchains/p/Alice.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Furthermore, the band have also incorporated styles including [[blues rock]],<ref name="BandCalledAlice">{{cite magazine |author = Gillian G. Gaar |title = A Band Called Alice |journal = [[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine]] |pages = 54–56, 58 |date = August 5, 1994 |issn = 1055-2685}}</ref> [[folk rock]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sonymusic.com:80/artists/AliceInChains/bio.html |title=Alice In Chains Timeline |website=SonyMusic.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007164204/http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/AliceInChains/bio.html |archive-date=October 7, 1999 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 11, 2019 }}</ref> [[funk metal]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Dan |title=The 10 Best Alice in Chains songs |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1903099/the-10-best-alice-in-chains-songs/franchises/10-best-songs/ |website=Stereogum |date=October 6, 2016 |accessdate=May 3, 2019}}</ref> and [[jangle pop]]<ref name="stereogum">{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1903099/the-10-best-alice-in-chains-songs/franchises/list/|title=The 10 Best Alice In Chains Songs|author=Weiss, Dan|date=October 6, 2016|access-date=December 4, 2019}}</ref> into their music. Regarding the band's constant categorization by the media, Cantrell stated: <blockquote>When we first came out we were metal. Then we started being called alternative metal. Then grunge came out and then we were hard rock. And now, since we've started doing this again I've seen us listed as: hard rock, alternative, alternative metal and just straight metal. I walked into an HMV the other day to check out the placement and see what's on and they've got us relegated back into the metal section. Right back where we started!<ref name="Brown">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YmocmZU2eJcC&q=%22grunge%22+%22alternative+metal%22&pg=PT42 |title=Alice in Chains: In the Studio - Jake Brown |date= June 2011|access-date=November 19, 2012|isbn=9780983471646 |last1=Brown |first1=Jake |publisher=SCB Distributors }}</ref></blockquote> Drummer Sean Kinney rejects the grunge label, stating in a 2013 interview "I mean, before we first came out there was no grunge, they hadn't invented that word. Before they invented the word grunge we were alternative rock and alternative metal and metal and rock, and we didn't give a shit whatever, we were a rock and roll band!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenationalstudent.com/Music/2013-10-07/Interview_Alice_In_Chains.html|title=Interview: Alice in Chains|date=October 7, 2013|work=The National Student|access-date=February 3, 2017|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722144706/https://www.thenationalstudent.com/Music/2013-10-07/Interview_Alice_In_Chains.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to Mike Inez, they were always the metal stepchildren of the Seattle scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-jerry-cantrell-discusses-alice-chains-2009-comeback-black-gives-way-blue?page=0,2|title=Interview: Jerry Cantrell Discusses Alice in Chain's 2009 Comeback, 'Black Gives Way to Blue'|work=Guitar World|access-date=April 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Influences===
The band are influenced to a great extent by English metal music; in 2018, Jerry Cantrell proclaimed [[Black Sabbath]] guitarist [[Tony Iommi]] as "one of his biggest" inspirations,<ref name="Chapstick">{{cite news |last1=Chapstick |first1=Kesley |title=See Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell pick favorite Black Sabbath, AC/DC albums |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-alice-chains-jerry-cantrell-pick-favorite-black-sabbath-acdc-albums |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=Revolver Magazine |date=October 22, 2018}}</ref> while Layne Staley named his "first influences" as Black Sabbath and [[Deep Purple]].<ref name="Brown" /> The group's work with recording engineer [[Dave Jerden]] came about because upon meeting the band, recalling: "'Metallica took Tony Iommi and sped him up. What you've done is you've slowed him down again.' And [Cantrell] looked at me and said, 'You got it.' That's how I got the gig. I totally understood what they were doing."<ref name=Bosso2013>Joe Bosso (2013). [https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/production-legend-dave-jerden-on-13-career-defining-records-586973 Production legend Dave Jerden on 13 career-defining records, Part 10: Alice in Chains - Facelift]. MusicRadar.com, accessed April 23, 2024</ref> Cantrell adjudged English rock singer Elton John as "the artist that made me want to be a musician."<ref name="Chapstick" /> In addition, members of Alice in Chains have cited artists including [[AC/DC]],<ref name="Chapstick" /><ref name="Hickie" /> [[Accept (band)|Accept]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.velvetthunder.co.uk/interview-accept-guitarist-wolf-hoffmann/|title=Interview – Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann|access-date=February 3, 2021|last=Vickers|first=Lee|work=Velvet Thunder|date=January 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Album Review: Too Mean to Die by Accept (Nuclear Blast) |url=https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-too-mean-to-die-by-accept-nuclear-blast/ |access-date=January 25, 2021 |work=gbhbl.com |date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> [[Aerosmith]],<ref name="MoPopInf" /> [[The Beatles]],<ref name="Hickie" /> [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]],<ref name="Afropunk11">{{cite news |title=William Duvall Chats About his New documentary on Neon Christ and the Atlanta Punk scene |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/black-flag-mn0000091650/related |access-date=January 22, 2021 |work=Afropunk |date=February 21, 2011}}</ref> [[David Bowie]],<ref name="Hickie" /> [[John Coltrane]],<ref name="MoPopInf" /> [[Miles Davis]],<ref name="Hickie2" /> [[Dio (band)|Dio]],<ref>{{cite news |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Bassist: DIO 'Was A Leader And A Wonderful, Wonderful Human Being' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-bassist-dio-was-a-leader-and-a-wonderful-wonderful-human-being/ |access-date=January 25, 2021 |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> [[Funkadelic]],<ref name="MRadar">{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Amit |title=William DuVall: These are the 11 guitarists who blew my mind |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/william-duvall-these-are-the-11-guitarists-who-blew-my-mind |access-date=January 20, 2021 |work=Music Radar |date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> [[Hanoi Rocks]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shipley |first1=Al |title=Alice in Chains are coming to the Armory on Friday, and here are 19 of their best deep cuts |url=http://www.citypages.com/music/alice-in-chains-are-coming-to-the-armory-on-friday-and-here-are-19-of-their-best-deep-cuts/508749241 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=City Pages |date=April 18, 2019}}</ref> [[Heart (band)|Heart]],<ref name="radio">{{cite news |title=Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell Sings Heart and Rush's Praises (A Top Story) |url=https://www.radio.com/2013/05/16/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-heart-rock-hall/ |access-date=September 1, 2020 |work=Radio.com |date=May 16, 2013 |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912191116/http://radio.com/2013/05/16/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-heart-rock-hall/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Jimi Hendrix]],<ref name="roots">{{Cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2019/10/heavy-culture-william-duvall-alice-in-chains/ |title=Heavy Culture: William DuVall on Roots, Race, Solo Album, Jimi Hendrix, and Alice in Chains |last=Ramanand |first=Liz |date=October 17, 2019 |website=Consequence of Sound}}</ref> [[Iron Maiden]],<ref name="MoPopInf" /> [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]],<ref name="bienstock" />[[King's X]],<ref name="KXR">{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=Ray |title=Mike Inez (Alice In Chains) Gives King's X Some Love |url=http://www.kingsxrocks.com/ |work=Kings X Rocks |date=December 27, 2010}}</ref> [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]],<ref name="Hickie" /> [[Led Zeppelin]],<ref name="Hickie" /> [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]],<ref name="bienstock">{{cite news |last1=Bienstock |first1=Richard |title=Jerry Cantrell Talks New Alice in Chains Album, 'Rainier Fog' |work=Guitar World |date=September 10, 2018}}</ref> [[Metallica]],<ref name="MoPopInf" /> [[Steve Miller (musician)|Steve Miller]],<ref name="gw" /> [[Eddie Money]],<ref name="bienstock" /> [[Motörhead]],<ref name="MoPopInf" /> [[Mudhoney]],<ref name="Grunge is Dead p.210-1" /> [[Ted Nugent]],<ref name="bienstock" /> [[Pink Floyd]],<ref name="Hickie" /> the [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]],<ref name="gw">{{cite news |title=Jerry Cantrell: "I'd plug into Eddie Van Halen's amp and sound like Jerry Cantrell. Eddie would play through my s**t and sound like EVH. It's in the hands. It's in your flesh" |work=GuitarWorld |date=December 10, 2021}}</ref> [[Queen (band)|Queen]],<ref name="newquist96">{{cite news |last1=Newquist |first1=H. P. |title=Jerry Cantrell Interview: Grinding It Out |work=National Guitar Museum |date=February 1996}}</ref> [[Queensrÿche]],<ref name="BVM">{{cite news |last1=Hintz |first1=Marty |title=Interview with Alice in Chains |work=Bohemia Visual Music |date=February 1991}}</ref> [[the Rolling Stones]],<ref name="Hickie">{{cite news |last1=Hickie |first1=James |title=Jerry Cantrell: I knew what being a rock star was from an early age |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/jerry-cantrell-i-knew-what-being-a-rock-star-was-from-an-early-age-i-knew-it-wasnt-a-safe-path-but-ive-always-been-a-gambler/ |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=Kerrang! |date=February 26, 2019}}</ref> [[Rush (band)|Rush]],<ref name="radio" /> [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]],<ref name="Blackett" /> [[Soundgarden]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7NNXB8WYjw |title=Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell remembers Chris Cornell |date=April 14, 2018 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref> [[The Stooges]],<ref name="teraz" /> [[Television (band)|Television]],<ref name="teraz" /> [[Thin Lizzy]],<ref name="MoPopInf" /> [[Robin Trower]],<ref name="newquist96" /> [[U2]],<ref name="Hickie2">{{cite news |last1=Hickie |first1=James |title=Alice in Chains' William Duvall: 10 songs that changed my life |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/alice-in-chains-william-duvall-the-10-songs-that-changed-my-life/ |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=Kerrang! |agency=Kerrang! |date=November 27, 2019}}</ref> [[UFO (band)|UFO]],<ref name="Blackett">{{cite news |last1=Blackett |first1=Matt |title=Jerry Cantrell talks 'Devils & Dinosaurs' |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/1139/jerry-cantrell-talks-devils--dinosaurs/23310 |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=Guitar Player |date=January 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009015503/https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/1139/jerry-cantrell-talks-devils--dinosaurs/23310 |archive-date=October 9, 2014 }}</ref> [[Van Halen]],<ref name="Blackett" /><ref name="MoPopInf" /> [[the Velvet Underground]],<ref name="teraz">{{cite news |last1=Babula |first1=Jordan |title=William Duvall - Add to the Oven |work=Teraz Rock |date=November 2018}}</ref> [[Hank Williams]],<ref name="MoPopInf">{{cite web |title=MoPOP Oral History Interview: Alice In Chains' Musical Influences |date=November 23, 2020 |url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/november/mopop-oral-history-interview-alice-in-chains-musical-influences/ |publisher=Museum of Popular Culture |access-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> and [[ZZ Top]] as influential or inspirational.<ref name="Chapstick" />

===Instrumentation and lyrics===
Jerry Cantrell's guitar style combines "pummeling riffs and expansive guitar textures"<ref name="Dirt - Guitar World" /> to create "slow, brooding minor-key grinds".<ref>{{cite web |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |title=Degradation Trip |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/degradation-trip-r590407/review |access-date=March 30, 2012 |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=Rovi Corporation}}</ref> He is also recognized for his natural ability to blend acoustic and electric guitars. While down-tuned, distorted guitars mixed with Staley's distinctive "snarl-to-a-scream"<ref name="Dirt - Guitar World"/> vocals appealed to heavy metal fans, the band also had "a sense of melody that was undeniable," which introduced Alice in Chains to a much wider audience outside of the heavy metal underground.<ref name="AMG Facelift"/>

According to [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of AllMusic, Alice in Chains' sound has a "[[Black Sabbath]]-style riffing and an unconventional vocal style."<ref name="AM"/> The band has been described by Erlewine as "hard enough for metal fans, yet their dark subject matter and punky attack placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands."<ref name="AM"/> Three of the band's releases feature acoustic music, and while the band initially kept these releases separate, Alice in Chains' self-titled album combined the styles to form "a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers."<ref name="AM"/>

Alice in Chains is also noted for the unique vocal harmonies of Staley (or DuVall) and Cantrell, which included overlapping passages, dual lead vocals, and trademark harmonies typically separated by a major third.<ref name="AM"/> Cantrell said it was Staley who gave him the self-assurance to sing his own songs.<ref name="Guitar World 2013"/> Alyssa Burrows said the band's distinctive sound "came from Staley's vocal style and his lyrics dealing with personal struggles and addiction."<ref>{{cite web| author=Burrows, Alyssa |date=May 17, 2002 |url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=3778 |title=Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley dies on April 5, 2002. |publisher=Historylink.com |access-date=December 8, 2007}}</ref> Staley's songs were often considered "dark",<ref name="AM"/> with themes such as drug abuse, depression, and suicide,<ref name="Remembering Layne Staley"/> while Cantrell's lyrics often dealt with personal relationships.