After the groundbreaking grunge movement led by Nirvana in the late ’80s, the genre began to spawn more bands that would enrich the short but impactful duration of this movement, including the acclaimed Alice In Chains. While Nirvana primarily drew inspiration from Punk, Alice In Chains looked to Heavy Metal, giving their sound a heavier tint that fell between Grunge and Metal, something that was controversial for the “True” fans at the time.
Their sound was perplexing; in fact, Alice In Chains participated in a tour opening for bands like Megadeth and Slayer. However, fans ended up vehemently booing them, as they felt their sound was unworthy of sharing the stage with their Thrash Metal heroes.
In 1992, the band released “Dirt,” their second studio album and a commercial success, widely regarded by many critics as the best Rock album of the year. Undoubtedly, a must-listen for all music enthusiasts.
What can we hear?
The perfect soundtrack for modern life in the ’90s. Through a sound featuring guitars, bass, and drums reminiscent of Heavy Metal, complemented by the iconic voice of the late Layne Staley, which converges somewhere between Punk and Hard Rock, the band creates a series of anthems that touch on themes such as war, depression, fear, antisocial behavior, relationships, anger, among other aspects that even today remain of tremendous importance.
It’s a dark and gloomy album, generally with a moderate tempo very much in the style of Black Sabbath. Creativity plays a fundamental role, as the band managed to create memorable riffs collectively, which we can hear in songs like “Rooster,” “Them Bones,” or “Sickman.” In the latter, Alice In Chains perfectly represents madness through a riff reminiscent of a “circus” style, a song whose interpretation and arrangement immerse the listener into the mind of someone who is confused, depressed, and waiting for the moment to die.
The bass serves as a prominent instrument, standing out with memorable intros such as “Rain When I Die” or the hit “Would?” the last song on the album and the most listened to. Placing it at the end of the album was a stroke of genius, as it practically represents the culmination of “Dirt,” an album that could be considered a milestone in the history of music.
The legacy of Jerry Cantrell
In addition to the amazing performance of vocalist Layne Staley, who, in “Dirt,” delivered the album of his life, we must highlight the mastermind behind this work and the band as a whole. Yes, we’re referring to guitarist Jerry Cantrell, the primary force behind writing most of the songs and shaping the band’s sound. We love how he can transition from experimental sounds as in “Rain When I Die” to clean and profound strumming as in “Rooster,” and then to Hard Rock guitar riffs as in “God Smack.” Not to mention his impressive, unpretentious solos as heard in “Hate To Feel.”
Jerry Cantrell is undoubtedly one of the most significant guitarists in the Rock scene. It’s no coincidence that he was chosen by none other than Ozzy Osbourne to record his cover album “Under Cover” (2002). Speaking of Rockstars, Tom Araya of Slayer himself recorded the vocals for the interlude “Untitled.” This also speaks to how respected Alice In Chains were at the time, despite the rejection from hardcore metal fans.
We appreciate the depth of “Dirt,” exemplified by “Down In A Hole,” one of the songs that provides balance to the album, a kind of ballad that subtly addresses heartbreak. As mentioned by Jerry Cantrell himself, it is inspired by his great love, from whom he had to part ways even against his will.
Dirt, the perfect combination
Much of the magic of “Dirt” lies in the fusion of various Rock genres such as Heavy Metal, Punk, and Grunge. From our perspective, it’s unfair to categorize it solely as Grunge because it’s truly an album that proposes a very successful blend. It’s a mix of emotions from start to finish that touches the most sensitive fibers of the human soul through a powerful sound.
An album marvel. What are your thoughts? Leave us your comments!
