Editing Alice in Chains (section)

===2005–2008: Reunion shows and reformation===
[[File:William DuVall - Alice in Chains - Roskilde Festival 2010.jpg|thumb|right|Alice in Chains' current lead vocalist, [[William DuVall]], replaced Staley in the reformed band in 2006.]]

In 2005, Sean Kinney came up with the idea of doing a benefit concert for the victims of the tsunami disaster that [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|struck South Asia]] in 2004. Kinney made calls to his former bandmates, as well as friends in the music community, such as former Alice in Chains manager Susan Silver. Kinney was surprised by the enthusiastic response to his idea.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/music/article/Kinney-drums-up-enthusiastic-response-for-tsunami-1166652.php|title=Kinney drums up enthusiastic response for tsunami benefit |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=February 17, 2005|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref> On February 18, 2005, Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, and Sean Kinney reunited to perform for the first time in nine years at ''K-Rock Tsunami Continued Care Relief Concert'' in Seattle.<ref name="Benefit concert">{{cite news| author=Hay, Travis |date=February 21, 2005 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/pop/212872_alice21q.html |title=Alice in Chains owns stage in tsunami-relief show full of surprises |publisher=Seattlepi.com|access-date=November 25, 2007}}</ref> The band featured [[Damageplan]] vocalist [[Pat Lachman]], as well as other special guests including [[Maynard James Keenan]] of [[Tool (band)|Tool]], [[Wes Scantlin]] of [[Puddle of Mudd]] and [[Ann Wilson]] of [[Heart (band)|Heart]].<ref name="Benefit concert"/> A few months after that experience, the band called Susan Silver and Cantrell's manager [[Bill Siddons]] and said they wanted to tour as Alice in Chains again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pollstarpro.com/live2010/panelband.htm|title=Putting The Band Back Together|work=PollstarPro|date=February 17, 2010|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204214139/http://www.pollstarpro.com/live2010/panelband.htm|archive-date=February 4, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Alice in Chains was approached by the producers of the [[CBS]] reality show ''[[Rock Star (TV series)|Rock Star]]'' about being featured on its second season, but the band turned the offer down.<ref name="MTV reunion article" /> In the show, aspiring singers competed to become the lead vocalist of a featured group.<ref name="MTV reunion article" />

On March 10, 2006, the surviving members performed at [[VH1]]'s ''[[Decades Rock Live!]]'' concert, honoring fellow Seattle musicians Ann and [[Nancy Wilson (rock musician)|Nancy Wilson]] of Heart.<ref name="mini-tour">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-vh1-heart-tribute-performance-to-air-tonight/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: VH1 HEART Tribute Performance To Air Tonight |work=Blabbermouth|date=May 5, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> They played "[[Would?]]" with vocalist [[Phil Anselmo]] of [[Pantera]] and [[Down (band)|Down]] and bass player [[Duff McKagan]] of [[Guns N' Roses]] and [[Velvet Revolver]],<ref name="Would with Phil Anselmo">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IJi7aQaySU| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/-IJi7aQaySU| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Phil Anselmo - Alice in Chains - Would? |work=YouTube|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and at the end of the performance Cantrell dedicated the show to Layne Staley and the late Pantera and Damageplan guitarist [[Dimebag Darrell]].<ref name="Would with Phil Anselmo"/> They also played "[[Rooster (song)|Rooster]]" with [[Comes with the Fall]] vocalist [[William DuVall]] and Ann Wilson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-perform-rooster-on-decades-rock-live-video-available/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Perform 'Rooster' On 'Decades Rock Live!': Video Available |work=Blabbermouth|date=May 8, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> The band followed the concert with a short United States club tour named "[[Finish What We Started Tour|Finish What We Started]]",<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://illinoisentertainer.com/2006/05/alice-in-chains-live/ |title=Alice In Chains Live! |date=May 21, 2016 |website=Illinois Entertainer}}</ref> several festival dates in Europe,<ref name="mini-tour"/><ref name="AIC guests">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10518215/latest_news_jayz_the_strokes_r_kelly_and_more |title=Metallica man joins Alice in Chains |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 9, 2006 |access-date=November 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613024237/https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10518215/latest_news_jayz_the_strokes_r_kelly_and_more |archive-date=June 13, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a brief tour in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-confirm-japanese-tour-dates/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Confirm Japanese Tour Dates|work=Blabbermouth|date=April 29, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> Duff McKagan again joined the band for the reunion tour, playing rhythm guitar on selected songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/duff_mckagan_to_tour_with_alice_in_chains.html|title=Duff McKagan To Tour With Alice In Chains|work=Ultimate Guitar|date=April 11, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> During the tour, the band played a 5-minute video tribute to Staley during the changeover from the electric to acoustic set.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvQ3tm7P3bU | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/mvQ3tm7P3bU| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Alice in Chains - Layne Staley Tribute Video |date=July 16, 2008 |via=YouTube |access-date=May 2, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

To coincide with the band's reunion, [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony Music]] released the long-delayed third Alice in Chains compilation, ''[[The Essential Alice in Chains]]'', a [[double album]] that includes 28 songs.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/essentials.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011024536/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/essentials.aspx| archive-date=October 11, 2007 |title=The Essential Alice in Chains |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=December 28, 2007}}</ref>

Jerry Cantrell met William DuVall in Los Angeles in 2000 through a mutual acquaintance who introduced Cantrell to Comes with the Fall's [[Comes with the Fall (album)|first album]].<ref name="Cantrell met DuVall">{{Cite web |url=http://maytherockbewithyou.com/mtrbwy/2009/10/william-duvall-of-alice-in-chains/ |title=William DuVall of Alice In Chains |last=Culpan |first=Troy |date=October 9, 2009 |website=maytherockbewithyou.com |access-date=June 26, 2018}}</ref> Cantrell started hanging out with the band and occasionally joined them onstage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-161482-With-Alice-in-Chains,-Atlanta-punk-icon-William-DuVall-finds-his-audience---2/23/2010 |title=With Alice in Chains, Atlanta punk icon William DuVall finds his audience |last=Radford |first=Chad |date=February 23, 2010 |website=[[Creative Loafing (Atlanta)|Atlanta Creative Loafing]] |access-date=June 26, 2018}}</ref> Between 2001 and 2002, Comes with the Fall was both the opening act on Cantrell's tour for his second solo album, ''[[Degradation Trip]]'', and also his backing band,<ref name="Cantrell met DuVall"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/comes-with-the-fall-030925-2496107908.html|title=Banged Up But Still Unbreakable: Comes With the Fall |work=PopMatters|date=September 25, 2003|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref> with DuVall singing Staley's parts at the concerts.<ref name="The Aquarian 2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2009/09/28/interview-with-jerry-cantrell-alice-in-chains-too-long-on-the-outside/|title=Interview with Jerry Cantrell: Alice In Chains, Too Long On The Outside |work=The Aquarian|date=September 28, 2009|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref> DuVall joined Alice in Chains as lead singer during the band's reunion concerts in 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-tap-comes-with-the-fall-s-duvall-for-european-tour/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Tap COMES WITH THE FALL's DUVALL For European Tour |work=Blabbermouth|date=April 5, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref><ref name="The Aquarian 2006">{{cite news|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2006/03/08/alice-in-chains-the-return/2/|title=Interview with Alice In Chains: The Return|newspaper=The Aquarian|date=March 8, 2006|access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> and made his first public performance with the band at [[VH1]]'s ''Decades Rock Live!'' concert.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U07a4-Ja6EM| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/U07a4-Ja6EM| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=William Duvall on How He Came to Be In Alice in Chains|publisher=YouTube|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to Cantrell, it only took one audition for DuVall to get the gig.<ref name="UG 2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/scott_weiland_wanted_to_sing_in_alice_in_chains_jerry_cantrell_explains.html|title=Scott Weiland Wanted to Sing in Alice in Chains, Jerry Cantrell Explains|work=Ultimate Guitar|date=March 7, 2014|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> For his first rehearsal with the band, DuVall sang "Love, Hate, Love". After they finished, Sean Kinney looked at his bandmates and said, "I think the search is pretty much over."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IMsGZbYziM| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/_IMsGZbYziM| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Sonisphere 09: Alice In Chains |work=YouTube|date=August 3, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to Mike Inez, DuVall didn't try to emulate Staley, and that's what drew them to him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/121318-after-tragedy-alice-in-chains-celebrates-a-new-chapter-2496169631.html|title=After tragedy, Alice in Chains celebrates a new chapter|work=PopMatters|date=February 23, 2010|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>

Cantrell revealed that before he suggested DuVall for the band, Sean Kinney and Mike Inez invited [[Sponge (band)|Sponge]] and [[Spys4Darwin]] lead vocalist [[Vin Dombroski]] to jam with the band in their rehearsal space. Dombroski jammed with them to a couple of songs but they did not feel he was right for the band.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar6kc-4w0EA&t=20m21s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/ar6kc-4w0EA| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Let There Be Talk: Jerry Cantrell |date=August 3, 2016 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 9, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to Cantrell, Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver lead singer [[Scott Weiland]] was also interested in joining the band.<ref name="UG 2014"/>

Cantrell explained the reunion saying, <blockquote>We want to celebrate what we did and the memory of our friend. We have played with some [singers] who can actually bring it and add their own thing to it without being a Layne clone. We're not interested in stepping on [Staley's] rich legacy. It's a tough thing to go through. Do you take the [[Led Zeppelin]] approach and never play again, because the guy was that important? That's the approach we've taken for a lot of years. Or, do you give it a shot, try something? We're willing to take a chance on it. It's completely a reunion because the three of us who're left are back together. But it's not about separating and forgetting—it's about remembering and moving on.<ref name="MTV reunion article"/></blockquote> Before the tour, Kinney mentioned in an interview that he would be interested in writing new material, but not as Alice in Chains.<ref name="MTV reunion article">{{cite web| url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1524813/02232006/alice_in_chains.jhtml |title=Remaining Alice In Chains Members Reuniting For Summer Gigs |publisher=MTV |author =Harris, Chris |date=February 23, 2006 |access-date=November 24, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071218124026/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1524813/02232006/alice_in_chains.jhtml| archive-date= December 18, 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

During the [[VH1 Rock Honors]] concert honoring Heart on May 12, 2007, Alice in Chains performed Heart's "[[Barracuda (song)|Barracuda]]" fronted by country singer [[Gretchen Wilson]]. Heart's guitarist Nancy Wilson also joined them onstage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sleazeroxx.com/concerts/vh1-rock-honors-2007-concert-review/ |title=VH1 Rock Honors 2007 Concert Review |date=May 20, 2007 |website=Sleaze Roxx |access-date=June 26, 2018}}</ref>

Alice in Chains joined [[Velvet Revolver]] for a run of U.S. and Canadian gigs from August through October 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1560256/velvet-revolver-team-with-alice-in-chains-for-summer-tour/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202080944/http://www.mtv.com/news/1560256/velvet-revolver-team-with-alice-in-chains-for-summer-tour/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |title=Velvet Revolver Team With Alice In Chains For Summer Tour |date=May 22, 2007 |website=MTV News |access-date=April 8, 2018}}</ref> During that tour, the band also performed four special acoustic-only shows, named as "The Acoustic Hour".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-to-play-four-acoustic-shows/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS To Play Four Acoustic Shows |date=July 24, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=June 26, 2018}}</ref> The acoustic performance at The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 31, 2007, was recorded for an upcoming live album.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-acoustic-show-in-milwaukee-recorded-for-upcoming-live-album/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS: Acoustic Show In Milwaukee Recorded For Upcoming Live Album |date=September 1, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=June 26, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Alice_in_Chains_rehearsal2.jpg|thumb|left|Alice in Chains rehearsing with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra in Seattle in 2007]]
On November 2, 2007, Alice in Chains performed a four-song set at Benaroya Hall in Seattle for Matt Messina and the Symphony Guild's 10th anniversary benefit concert for the Seattle Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center. In addition to the band's original material, they also played a cover of [[Led Zeppelin]]'s "[[Kashmir (song)|Kashmir]]" while backed by over 200 musicians, including the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and the Northwest Girlchoir.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-to-perform-at-tonight-s-symphony-legacy-in-seattle/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS To Perform At Tonight's 'Symphony Legacy' In Seattle |date=November 2, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=April 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-performs-led-zeppelin-classic-with-symphony-orchestra-video-available/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Performs LED ZEPPELIN Classic With Symphony Orchestra; Video Available |date=November 5, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=April 29, 2018}}</ref>

Sean Kinney said about the band's reunion: <blockquote>I never called Jerry; he never called me, and said, 'Hey, let's get the band back together,' you know? We had been taking every step extremely cautious and slow, and just doing whatever feels right: If it's genuine and we're doing it for genuine reasons and we're all okay with it then we take a little step. None of us is broke. Nobody needs to be a rock dork, and you know, stroke their ego. I mean, we don't really operate like that. So as long as it felt good and from the right place and it's about making music and carrying on...<ref name="From The Ashes">{{cite web |url=http://drummagazine.com/sean-kinney-of-alice-in-chains-from-the-ashes/ |title=Sean Kinney Of Alice In Chains: From The Ashes |work=Drum Magazine|date=July 19, 2011|access-date=July 15, 2017}}</ref></blockquote>

About the pressure being put on DuVall for replacing Staley as lead vocalist, Cantrell said, <blockquote>To put all that weight on Will's shoulders is unfair. We're just figuring out how we work as a team. Although the band has changed, we've lost Layne, we've added Will, and there was no master plan. Playing again in 2005 felt right, so we did the next thing and toured. We did it step by step. It's more than just making music, and it always has been. We've been friends a long time. We've been more of a family than most, and it had to be okay from here [pointing to his heart].<ref name="Classic Rock 2009">{{cite web |url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2009-09-16/alice-in-chains-through-the-looking-glass |title=Alice In Chains: "It hurts and you miss them, but you still have to live" |work=Classic Rock|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=July 15, 2017}}</ref></blockquote>

Former [[The Doors]] manager Bill Siddons and his management company, Core Entertainment, co-managed Alice in Chains with original manager Susan Silver from 2005 to 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/surviving-alice-in-chains-members-explore-ways-to-perform-together-again/ |title=Surviving ALICE IN CHAINS Members Explore Ways To Perform Together Again |date=August 15, 2005 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=February 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-parts-ways-with-management/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Parts Ways With Management |date=December 4, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=February 7, 2018}}</ref>

The band started writing and demoing songs for a new album with DuVall in April 2007.<ref name="writing and demoing">{{cite news| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71296 |title=Alice In Chains Begins Writing New Material |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=April 26, 2007 |access-date=November 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201617/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71296|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> But the band did not show further signs of progress until October 2008, when they announced that they had begun recording with producer [[Nick Raskulinecz]] in the studio.<ref name="recording date">{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107501 |title=Alice in Chains Working with Rush/Foo Fighters Producer |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=October 23, 2008 |access-date=April 29, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525035102/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107501 |archive-date=May 25, 2009 }}</ref>