Editing Alice in Chains (section)

===2008–2011: ''Black Gives Way to Blue'' and death of Mike Starr===
[[Blabbermouth.net]] reported on September 5, 2008, that Alice in Chains would enter the studio that October to begin recording a new album for a summer 2009 release.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104110 |title=Alice in Chains To Enter Studio In October |work=Blabbermouth |date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=September 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908001221/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104110 |archive-date=September 8, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 14, 2008, Alice in Chains performed at halftime during the [[Seattle Seahawks]] vs [[San Francisco 49ers]] game at the Qwest Field (now named [[Lumen Field]] ) in Seattle. The 12-minute performance for a crowd of 67,000 people featured a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" accompanied by the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-performs-led-zeppelin-s-kashmir-at-seattle-s-qwest-field-video-available/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Performs LED ZEPPELIN's 'Kashmir' At Seattle's Qwest Field; Video Available |date=September 19, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref>

In October 2008, Alice in Chains began recording its fourth studio album at the [[Foo Fighters]]' Studio 606 in Los Angeles with producer [[Nick Raskulinecz]].<ref name="recording date"/> The band did not have a record label at the time and the album was funded by Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zina Walschots|first1=Natalie|title=Alice in Chains|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/alice_in_chains|website=Exclaim!|access-date=July 30, 2017|date=May 30, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Guitar World 2013"/> At the [[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver Golden God Awards]], Cantrell said that the group had finished recording on March 18, 2009, and were mixing the album for a September release.<ref name="BGWTB finished">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuZXbZC4ooU&t=50s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/BuZXbZC4ooU| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Alice In Chains Set To Release First Album In 14 Years |date=April 10, 2009 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 9, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The recording process was completed on Cantrell's 43rd birthday and also the same day that William DuVall's son was born.<ref name="BGWTB finished"/> In April 2009, it was reported that the new Alice in Chains album would be released by [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]/[[EMI Records|EMI]],<ref name="newalbum">{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118840 |title=Alice In Chains Signs With Virgin/EMI |work=Blabbermouth |date=April 25, 2009 |access-date=April 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427112318/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118840 |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> making it the band's first label change in its 20-plus year career. Susan Silver, who started managing Alice in Chains in 1988, now co-manages the band with [[David Benveniste]] and his Velvet Hammer firm.<ref name="newalbum"/>

On June 11, 2009, Blabbermouth.net reported that the new album would be titled ''[[Black Gives Way to Blue]]'' and was officially set to be released on September 29, 2009.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-new-album-title-release-date-revealed/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Album Title, Release Date Revealed|work=Blabbermouth |date=June 11, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> The title first appeared on [[Amazon.com]] without any prior announcement from the band.<ref name="newalbumtitle">{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122629 |title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Single, Video On The Way |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=May 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628204749/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122629 |archive-date=June 28, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, it was announced that [[Elton John]] plays piano on the [[Black Gives Way to Blue (song)|title track]], a tribute to Layne Staley written and sung by Cantrell.<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Moody |first=Nekesa Mumbi |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267778/alice-in-chains-scores-elton-john-for-tribute-track |title=Alice In Chains Scores Elton John for Tribute Track | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | date=August 11, 2009 |access-date=August 11, 2009}}</ref> The album features new vocalist and rhythm guitarist William DuVall sharing vocal duties with lead guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, who sings lead vocals on most of the songs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/album/alice-in-chains-black-gives-way-to-blue/|website=MusicFeeds|date=October 2, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref><ref name="DuVall lead">{{cite magazine |date=September 29, 2009 |title=Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue |url=https://consequence.net/2009/09/album-review-alice-in-chains-black-gives-way-to-blue/ |magazine=Consequence of Sound |access-date=July 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Album Review of Black Gives Way to Blue by Alice in Chains|url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/Review/1167|website=Alternative Addiction|access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> DuVall sings lead vocals on the song "Last of My Kind".
[[File:Alice In Chains.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Alice in Chains performing in 2007. From left to right: [[William DuVall]], [[Sean Kinney]] and [[Jerry Cantrell]] ([[Mike Inez]] is out of frame).]]
On June 30, 2009, the song "[[A Looking in View]]" was made available for purchase via [[iTunes]] and [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]],<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-new-song-available-via-itunes-amazon/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Song Available Via iTunes, Amazon|work=Blabbermouth |date=August 6, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> and for a limited time it was available as a free download through the official Alice in Chains website in early July.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-holding-back-on-playing-new-songs-for-now.html|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Holding Back On Playing New Songs For Now|work=Blabbermouth|date=July 17, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040627/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-holding-back-on-playing-new-songs-for-now.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although it was not the album's first radio single, Rock stations across the U.S. started playing the song.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-performs-three-new-songs-in-london-video-available/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Performs Three New Songs In London; Video Available|work=Blabbermouth |date=August 6, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> The music video for "A Looking in View" debuted via the band's official website on July 7, 2009.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-a-looking-in-view-video-available/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: 'A Looking In View' Video Available|work=Blabbermouth |date=July 7, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> The song was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Best Hard Rock Performance]].<ref name="grammy noms"/>

"[[Check My Brain]]" was released to radio stations as the first official single from the album on August 14, 2009,<ref name="release date">{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-check-my-brain-released-to-radio-audio-stream-available/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: 'Check My Brain' Released To Radio; Audio Stream Available|work=Blabbermouth |date=August 14, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> and was made available for purchase on August 17, 2009.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://bravewords.com/news/alice-in-chains-to-headline-99-5-kiss-bone-bash-in-san-antonio|title=Alice In Chains To Headline 99.5 Kiss Bone Bash In San Antonio|publisher=Bravewords |date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> The music video for "Check My Brain" premiered on September 14, 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126807 |title='Check My Brain' Video to Premiere on Monday |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=September 11, 2009 |access-date=September 13, 2009 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923000554/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126807 |archive-date=September 23, 2009 }}</ref> The song was also nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Best Hard Rock Performance]].<ref name="grammy noms"/>

To promote the album, the band released an [[Press kit#EPK|EPK]] featuring all four of the members being interviewed while the [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] makeup is being applied on them.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYbTnLgJsE | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/-mYbTnLgJsE| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Alice In Chains - EPK Promo |date=September 17, 2009 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 5, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-sean-kinney-festivals-aic-23-mockumentary-rock-hall/ |title=Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell + Sean Kinney Talk Festivals, 'AIC 23' Mockumentary + Rock Hall |date=May 21, 2013 |website=Loudwire |access-date=April 5, 2018}}</ref> An app for iPhone was released on October 27, 2009, featuring songs, music videos, news, photos and networking.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/alice-chains-iphone-app-coming-oct-27 |title=Alice in Chains iPhone App Coming Oct. 27. |date=October 26, 2009 |website=Guitar World |access-date=May 22, 2018}}</ref>

Sean Kinney said about the new album and the fans' mixed reactions about the band moving on after Staley's death: <blockquote>Look, it's a big move to fucking stand up and move on. Some people, the music connected with them so strongly, their opinions, how they feel about it ... It's amazing that they have such a connection but they seem to act like it happened to them. This happened to us and Layne's family, not them. This is actually our lives. If we're okay with it, why can't you be? This happened to us, this didn't happen to you. But this album isn't about that, it's a bigger universal point. We're all going to fucking die, we're all going to lose somebody, and it fucking hurts. How do you move on? This record is us moving on, and hurting. That, to me, is a victory. I already feel like I've won.<ref name="Classic Rock 2009"/></blockquote> <blockquote>Sometimes people ask us, 'Wouldn't Layne have been pissed off that we did this?' And I tell them it would have been the opposite: he would have been pissed off that it took us so long to do this. We're not doing this for money; there is no money in the music business anymore. Jerry and I funded the whole album, and we spent lots of our own money, because we believe in this. And one of the reasons I'm doing this is so more light is turned on to something where the light was turned off.<ref name="Guitar World 2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-jerry-cantrell-discusses-alice-chains-2009-comeback-black-gives-way-blue|title=Interview: Jerry Cantrell Discusses Alice in Chain's 2009 Comeback, 'Black Gives Way to Blue'|work=Guitar World|date=January 10, 2013|access-date=July 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702094006/http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-jerry-cantrell-discusses-alice-chains-2009-comeback-black-gives-way-blue|archive-date=July 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote> And Cantrell added: "We've toured around the world, we've lost some friends, we buried a dear friend, and somebody that you just can't fucking replace, and then we've chosen by circumstance to get together again. That turned into 'maybe we can fucking do this.' And that turned into this."<ref name="Guitar World 2013"/>

In September 2008, it was announced that Alice in Chains would headline Australia's [[Soundwave (Australian music festival)|Soundwave Festival]] in 2009, alongside [[Nine Inch Nails]] and [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105404 |title=NIN, Alice in Chains, Scars on Broadway, Lamb of God Confirmed For Australia's Soundwave |work=Blabbermouth |date=September 23, 2008 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930212052/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105404 |archive-date=September 30, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In February 2009, it was also announced that Alice in Chains would play at the third annual [[Rock on the Range]] festival.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://aliceinchainsnews.blogspot.com/2009/02/rock-on-range.html |title=Rock on the Range |publisher=AliceInChains.com |date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=February 16, 2009}}</ref> On August 1, 2009, Alice in Chains performed, along with [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]], [[Avenged Sevenfold]], and [[Glyder (band)|Glyder]], at Marlay Park, Dublin as direct support to Metallica.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/metallica-dublin-support-acts-revealed/ |title=METALLICA: Dublin Support Acts Revealed |date=March 7, 2009 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=May 22, 2018}}</ref> The band made an appearance on ''[[Later... with Jools Holland]]'' on November 10, 2009, performing "Lesson Learned", "[[Black Gives Way to Blue (song)|Black Gives Way to Blue]]", and "Check My Brain" as the final performance of the episode.<ref>{{cite web|title=ALICE IN CHAINS On 'Later ... With Jools Holland'; More Performance Footage Available|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-on-later-with-jools-holland-more-performance-footage-available/|website=Blabbermouth|access-date=August 20, 2017|date=November 16, 2009}}</ref>

To coincide with the band's European tour, Alice in Chains released its next single, "[[Your Decision]]", on November 16, 2009, in the UK and on December 1 in the US.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=128577 |title=Alice In Chains To Release 'Your Decision' Single |work=Blabbermouth |date=October 12, 2009 |access-date=October 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015044748/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=128577 |archive-date=October 15, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases |title=Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases &#124; |publisher=Allaccess.com |access-date=July 14, 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110710054019/http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases| archive-date=July 10, 2011 | url-status=live}}</ref> The last single from the album was "[[Lesson Learned]]", and it was released to rock radio on June 22, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theprp.com/2010/05/13/news/alice-in-chains-select-new-single |title=Alice In Chains Select New Single |website=ThePRP.com |date=May 13, 2010 |access-date=June 16, 2019}}</ref>

''Black Gives Way to Blue'' debuted at No. 5 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267159/barbra-streisand-surprises-with-ninth-no-1-on-billboard-200 |title=Barbra Streisand Surprises with Ninth No. 1 on Billboard 200 |website=[[Billboard.com]] |date=October 7, 2009}}</ref> On May 18, 2010, the album was certified gold by the [[RIAA]]<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=alice+in+chains#search_section |title=American album certifications – Alice in Chains|work=RIAA|access-date=November 25, 2017}}</ref> for selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S.<ref name="gold">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-strikes-gold-with-black-gives-way-to-blue/ |title=Alice In Chains Strikes Gold With 'Black Gives Way To Blue' |date=May 25, 2010 |access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref> The singles "''Check My Brain''" and "''Your Decision''" reached No. 1 on [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'s [[Mainstream Rock Tracks]], while "''Lesson Learned''" reached No. 4.<ref name="AIC chart"/> ''"Check My Brain"'' was also the band's first No. 1 song on the [[Alternative Songs]] chart,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains - Chart History - Alternative Songs|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/mrt/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref> and on the [[Hot Rock Songs]] chart,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains - Chart History - Hot Rock Songs|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/ark/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref> it also reached No. 92 on Billboard's [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]], becoming the band's first single to appear on the chart.<ref name="hot 100">{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains Chart History - Hot 100|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/hsi/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref>

Along with [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]] and [[Deftones]], Alice in Chains toured the United States and Canada in late 2010 on the [[Blackdiamondskye]] tour, an amalgam of the three bands' latest album titles (''Black Gives Way to Blue'', ''[[Diamond Eyes]]'', and ''[[Crack the Skye]]'').<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-guitarist-talks-blackdiamondskye-tour/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Guitarist Talks 'BlackDiamondSkye' Tour |date=August 1, 2010 |website=Blabbermouth |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406031630/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-guitarist-talks-blackdiamondskye-tour/ |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref>

On March 8, 2011, former Alice in Chains bassist [[Mike Starr (musician)|Mike Starr]] was found dead at his home in Salt Lake City. Police told Reuters they were called to Starr's home at 1:42&nbsp;pm and found his body; Starr was 44. Reports later surfaced that Starr's roommate had seen him mixing [[methadone]] and anxiety medication hours before he was found dead. Later reports indicated Starr's death may have been linked to two different types of antidepressants prescribed to him by his doctor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mike Starr, legendary Alice in Chains bass player, found dead |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Ben |last=Quinn |date=March 9, 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/mar/09/mike-starr-alice-in-chains-dies }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Former Alice in Chains rocker Mike Starr dies |work=Reuters |first=Dean |last=Goodman |date=March 8, 2011 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aliceinchains-idUSTRE72802X20110309 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151632/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/09/us-aliceinchains-idUSTRE72802X20110309 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Metcalf Jr. Dan |url=http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Former-Alice-in-Chains-Celebrity-Rehab-star-dies/QK3JrtdsEk6Vj1v_O0qhaA.cspx |title=Former 'Alice in Chains,' 'Celebrity Rehab' star dies in Salt Lake City |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=March 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311134516/http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Former-Alice-in-Chains-Celebrity-Rehab-star-dies/QK3JrtdsEk6Vj1v_O0qhaA.cspx |archive-date=March 11, 2011}}</ref> A public memorial was held for Starr at the Seattle Center's International Fountain on March 20, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=Allison |first=Melissa |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014556157_starr21m.html |title=Memorial held for Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |date= March 20, 2011|access-date=August 17, 2011}}</ref> A private memorial was also held, which Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney attended according to Mike Inez.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/thelife/music/news/story?id=6270119 |title=ESPN Music's 2011 bass-ball preview Mike Inez |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=March 31, 2011 |access-date=August 17, 2011 |first=Jim |last=Wilkle}}</ref>