Black Gives Way To Blue – Alice In Chains

Black Gives Way To Blue – Alice In Chains

This is a fantastic ‘come back’ album.

Alice in Chains was responsible for some of the most eclectic heavy rock of the ‘90s, fusing together unlikely metal and vocal elements into a small but influential catalog that has aged better than the work of most of its grunge contemporaries.
Listening to Black Gives Way to Blue really is a rollercoaster-like experience both musically and emotionally, meaning that, even within songs, you really never know where the band will take you next or how that sudden drop, turn, or twist will affect you.

It was an emotional and cathartic experience for the band to record “Black Gives Way to Blue” because their dear friend, Layne Staley, couldn’t be part of that experience (R.I.P.).

Watch the official video of their single “Your Decision”.

The album’s opening track, the rumbling “All Secrets Known,” starts with the lines “A new beginning/Time to start living” before advising, “There’s no going back.” The rest of Black Gives Way to Blue follows that advice – this is a dark record about trying to pull yourself out of the chaos and pain of the past. Granted, Alice in Chains were never a sunny, friendly band even in the ‘90s, but the clenched-fist angst of Black Gives Way to Blue is considerably bleak. And yet, the album’s surging, determined songs feel downright inspiring, especially on tracks like “Check My Brain” and “A Looking in View” in which Cantrell and DuVall’s guitars fight and claw to escape the lyrics’ jet-black despair. Black Gives Way to Blue ends up being the group’s darkest and brightest album simultaneously.

Believe me guys it is really difficult to get the desire to go on making music when a friend (fellow musician) passes away. I have seen many famous bands crumble down due to this, the only reason Alice In Chains are still on the map is purely because of their awesome music and die hard fans.

Give it a shot!!….not for faint hearted!!