It’s been 5 years since Alice In Chains released their critically acclaimed “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here”, an album that put the band back on the rock map and which subsequently cemented vocalist William DuVall as a bonafide frontman for the Seattle rockers. 2018 sees the sixth studio album “Rainier Fog” bring the band back into the spotlight, a return that marks the band’s three decade’s of existence and follows that trademark sound AIC are known for.
So well reputed and established are Alice In Chains now that every new thing that comes out of the band is relished and pounced upon by fans and press alike. With “Rainier Fog” being only 6 albums into more than three decades of hard rocking, it shouldn’t be that surprising and which all makes a new album from the Seattle 4 piece an event, something which does lack a bit in today’s music scene. While their contemporaries like Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam have lost a bit of fanfare with new music over the year’s, it seems the sporadic releases with AIC has worked in their favor and a deeper appreciation for each album results as a consequence.
Their latest work sees much of their signature sound stamped with authority on much of the music that unfolds as each song takes you into it’s own world, a feature which means each track comes across as it’s own individual piece rather than just a body of work in unison. That’s not to say the album doesn’t have a connection running through each song but there is something to be said about a song that stands on it’s own. Take for example the lead single, “The One You Know” released ahead of the album’s own announcement earlier in the year, a fine example of a song that could have easily been out as the main track of a short EP or a single release. Only fitting is it the opening track with it’s stomping groove and haunting melodic vocals clearly giving that AIC sound we know and love. DuVall really nails his vocal delivery on this song and it’s one of the highlights of the album despite it coming through the gates early on.
That signature sound continues in many parts but also in many songs overall. “Red Giant” captures the dark, haunting elements the band are also known for as does “Deaf Ears Blind Eyes” with a melodramatic snear laying beneath it all. “Drone” is also another great track and much like the opener, has an off-kilter beat but mixed with a hint of 70’s Sabbath feels that gets a little psychedelic towards the end. It’s those elements that open the band up into some new territories as they push their sound forward and go back and forth between past and present.
“So Far Under” is yet another memorable track and one that may go down as a live favorite, it’s so familiar sounding and yet so fresh and new from the veteran rockers who always seem to write tracks that hook you right in. Jerry Cantrell once again shines on guitar as he pulls out one of the best moments on the album during the solo section in “Fly” with the song itself adding a little southern country flavor. The whole band holds everything solidly well too including Sean Kinney throwing down drum parts that are as staunch to the roots of AIC as they have always been, the chemistry alone is a big reason why “Rainier Fog” works so well.
There are many more highlights on the album but none of it will be taken to mind until you hear it, it’s a great blend of their trademark sound together with some newer elements that carefully treads lightly on the roots of the band’s core sound. Longtime fans will appreciate that and newcomers will wonder why they never picked up on Alice In Chains earlier, thumbs up for the new AIC record once again.
TRACKLIST
The One You Know
Rainier Fog
Red Giant
Fly
Drone
Deaf Ears Blind Eyes
Maybe
So Far Under
Never Fade
All I Am
