Black Gives Way To Blue

I was very, very impressed with this album. I put off buying it for a long time because I thought that if I didn't like it, it would spoil my appreciation of their previous releases. I needn't have worried though. It's Alice In Chains, with a different singer, a few years down the line.....but it IS Alice In Chains and it is a very good album. Superb!

Yet another superb album from the kings of grunge even though Layne Staley is no longer with us they still produce that distinctive AIC signature sound with the new vocalist William Duvall. There is not one bad track on this album, they have not gone commercial they have stuck to their roots it may not be quite as dark as it used to be but still packs a hell of a punch. Excellent music and superb vocals make this album a must have for fans of the genre.

Favourite tracks: A Looking In View, Take Her Out, Your Decision, Last Of My Kind

What an incredible album. This band have certainly been through the mill, and how awesome is it they have the guts to come back and record a new album?! With new singer on board (who sems to sound uncannily like Layne), they sound fantastic. This album was recorded at Dave Grohl's studio and even though they're still as heavy as ever, the album has a relaxed feel to it, with great lyrics and melody (and Jerry's harmony). Sean and Mike still sound powerful and tight, never over-playing.
There's been mention of the band recording a follow up to this, and I hope they do.
How did Elton John end up on the title track?! Funny old game, the music business.

This album is melodic,loud and interesting.One of my favourite albums of 2009.This band play rock but in an original way that never becomes boring.

As a massive fan of AIC since those heady grunge days of the early nineties It was with somewhat mixed feelings that I received this album. In fact I had said to some of my friends that without Layne this was not AIC. All I can say now is that I'm happy to admit I was wrong.

From start to finish this is still undoubtedly and unmistakably AIC. After seeing them live in the past week there is no doubt that they are back and here to stay. The only song i'm not overly fond of is 'Your decision' and that is by no means a bad song. The only other criticism that I can find is that the vocals are overly dominated by Jerry but I can see that balancing out in the future as William gets more comfortable in his role.

Overall a really solid album and a very welcome return by one of the best bands to come out of the nineties, I'd also higly recommend you see them live, William does a great job of all the old songs too.

First got this record on download and after 1 listen constantly played it there after , now i have bought the cd . It is simply superb heavy as hell an d just a great listen from start to the lovely laid back number at the end. Probably havnt heard anything as heavy and massive since metallicas black album,didnt know much about aic before but i will now!! Highly recommended

Many would have thought after the tragic death of layne stayley, that not only would we never see live performances by AIC again, but that there would be no chance in hell of another AIC record, well thank god that didnt happen.

AIC have come back stronger with this album, and eventhough Layne isnt physically on the album, his presence is felt throughout and the album is perhaps one of the best of 2009. Full credit to William Duvall for coming in and being himself, instead of trying to be a clone of Layne. The classic twin vocals live on however due to Jerry Cantrell, who's vocals blend magnificently with Duvalls, and it's perhaps this which is keeping Layne present on the album.

As for the music itself, well Jerry's riffs are crushing, chunky and heavier than ever which is great thing to experience. And the rhythm section of Mike and Sean is awesome as well. Overall it just takes me back to the 90's, Amazing album. Any rock/metal fan should own this, as this is not something that crops up regularly

Having only been slightly aware of AiC, I listend to couple fo tracks elsewhere and instantly thought there were some good tunes. Bought the album - EXCELLENT!!! I now consider myself ans AiC fan and have just received from play.com, 'dirt' & 'live' and you can take it as read, I'll be getting more AiC. Duvall does a great job here, stamping his own authority, but keeping the AiC vibe, sound and approach. Cantrell must know they are back. Other bands have moved on when someone has left or died - AC/DC, Queen (to a point!) and many others, so I think AiC will go on to greater stuff, I'll be with them. You need to get this album. You will NOT be disappointed!!

Well what can i say, absolutely amazing, my favourite album of the year.

Jerry Cantrell really shows he was the foundation of the band all along, Layne Staley kind of over shadowed every other band members back in the day because he was so unique and such a different singer, the sound of Alice in Chains was basically set at Staleys feet, but now sadly he has gone we can see that actually Jerry Cantrell had more of an influence that ppl actually thought, in this new album the sound is basically the same old AiC and i dont believe Du Vall has tryd to mimic Staley, i just believe hes captured the sound of AiC in his own way and the only way it can be done.

In all this is probably there 2nd best album after Dirt, and let me say Alice in Chains are amazing with Du Vall live, he can even do the old stuff fantastic, Dam that River and Head Creeps were probably the most impressive.

This album was a big gamble for AiC, keeping the grunge sound that made them amazing back in the 90s in the modern day where grunge isn't really popular anymore but AiC have brought it back with great success. Jerry's riffs are as good as they ever were and the jury was out for Duvall but he has silenced any doubters with his vocal performance on this album. Best example of Cantrell and Duvall's abilities on here in my opinion are on Acid Bubble the riff where the song picks up pace is fantastic and Duvall's grunging voice saying intent obselence is amazing just a great album.