Concert preview: Alice in Chains at the Nokia Theatre Grand Prairie (October 23)

by Justin Press of Justin Press: Dallas Rock Music Examiner

Back from the dead of sorts with a brilliant new album, Black Gives Way To Blue, reminisce about the Layne era no more because Alice In Chains (in town as part of the Freakers Ball 2009 at the Nokia Theatre Grand Prairie) is a more stellar band now, with groove, melody, and power to boot. Leader Jerry Cantrell found a gem in new vocalist William DuVall, who happens to be a solid rhythm player as well, leaving Cantrell free to roam the soloing plains with his tasteful but deep riffs. The new album is chock full of dark illuminations on the human condition that easily sits next to Dirt as the vital Alice In Chains long-player, thanks in most part to Cantrell's brilliant songwriting capabilities and DuVall’s very Staley-like delivery (but with his own enunciation).

Having put in solid road work for the last two years, Alice In Chains Mark II is a well-tuned machine that makes you realize the depth of the band that arguably was the best product out of Seattle since Heart (no plays to Pearl Jam or Nirvana). Along with Soundgarden, Alice helped redefine metal in terms that were more Black Sabbath, not Metallica. Dirge, melody, and shadows were more vital to the sound than speed, aggression, and time signatures. And with new tracks like “A Looking In Hell” and “Acid Bubble,” the power and dirge is still very intact. It is also Cantrell’s ability to write acoustic numbers that soothe but retain some uneasiness in songs like “Your Decision” and the title track, "Black Gives Way To Blue.” He never lets you off the hook that easy.

Live in concert, you can expect these pieces plus catalog powerhouses like “Rooster,” “Them Bones,” and “Man In The Box.” For any kid coming of age in 1992, Alice In Chains is one of the bands that helped cut their teeth -- think of them as a new millennium Black Sabbath. May they continue to live in the shadows for 20 more years.