This is a precursor thread to discuss the upcoming new album from Alice In Chains, which will be their fourth full-length studio release, and the first following the passing of Layne Staley in 2002. Not much official info has been released, but as it is, we'll be sure to make note of it here. We do know so far that:

- The album is currently in production.
- Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, and Mike Inez are all involved.
- Vocal duties on the album will be handled by William DuVall, frontman of the band Comes with the Fall, and long-time friend and associate of Alice In Chains, as well as Jerry Cantrell's touring guitarist/vocalist during his solo tours. For more info on who William Duvall is, check this thread out.
 

In the meantime, share your anticipations, qualms, expectations... Optimisms, pessimisms, objectivisms. Either way you feel about it, let's keep it tasteful, and not jump to conclusions about anything on this upcoming album. This thread is for discussion, not intense debate. We already had that thread, and there is a link to it in the "Rules & FAQs" forum for your viewing pleasure.

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As a long time AIC fan I was very skeptical on the idea of them going on without Layne.   It was Layne who drew me into the band and I am somehwat of the belief that the music can never reach that point of perfection again without him.   I know its not really fair for me to pass judgement on them though, and I do think it's okay for them to keep playing.  I know the new album will be awesome and I heard heavy which I like the sound of.  The last AIC album and the last couple songs they recorded (Get Born Again and DIed) seemed to be going to a place where if they were able to finish another album with layne I think it would've been their best ever.  I don't think they ever got a chance to reach their peak as a band musically. Those two songs (Get Born Again and Died) are a couple favorites and they have a bad ass sound.  I expect the new album will have a similiar sound.  Well at least I hope so!

Jerry is the greatest songwriter of his generation.  I expect this album to easily be the best album of the 21st century to date.

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"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity, and in the end we are what we pretend to be" -Jerry Cantrell-

Dude, I agree. Jerry is a stud and I know this album with be the shit!!!!

cantrell11:

Jerry is the greatest songwriter of his generation.  I expect this album to easily be the best album of the 21st century to date.

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"For every star is formed in fire, and so it goes for you. And every face along your path, sees your heart is true." DuVall/Constantine

I can't wait to hear my boys on the radio in regular rotation!

 

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"We play so fine, don't you agree?" ~ Layne Staley

"We want to celebrate what we did and the memory of our friend." ~ Jerry Cantrell

This new music will do some great things for sure. This band will put out something unique that sounds like nobody else.Jerry and the guys have been away for too long. The first tune we all hear will remind everyone of that. Mr. Staley's LEGEND  will continue to grow.  What journalist can bash that??  Keeping Alice alive is keeping Layne's spirit alive. You know what? There isn't any negative thing to write or say about that

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I see a whole lot of you dressed up like some of the members of Kiss.How come no one is dressed up like me? What's up with that???- Layne-" Last AIC show July 3, 1996 "

I have faith that our boys will deliver nothing but greatness! 

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*SheWolfSarie - Megadeth Forum*
Credit to HiP for the amazing banner



Dave Mustaine = GOD

Rifugium:

- Vocal duties on the album will be handled by William Duvall, frontman of the band Comes with the Fall, and long-time friend and associate of Alice In Chains, as well as Jerry Cantrell's touring guitarist/vocalist during his solo tours. For more info on who William Duvall is, check this thread out. 

 

DuVall, Rif...... 

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Check out WILLIAM'S OTHER BAND
CWTF music page: http://www.comeswiththefall.com/music.html
Newest music: http://www.myspace.com/comeswiththefall

I'm very much looking forward to the new album, it will be different but it will still rule I'm sure. I'm not expecting the album to match previous albums, but the fact is those albums are so great that it would be near impossible anyway. Will be great to hear some new material from the boys, and heavy is the way I like it best!...

Dude(s),

First of all Layne WAS Alice. Jerry, Mike and Sean are all really good...just not Layne. If you look at the writing credits of your favorite songs Layne was probably half. He wrote almost the entire Alice In Chains album and a lot of other key songs. Before people start putting their shitty comments on this great site, please do your homework! Jerry, Mike and Sean...out of respect...PLEASE CHANGE THE NAME! I will be one of the first in line to hear the new album. I was one of the first to buy tickets to your 06-07 tour. I just think that things will never be the same...theres always a chance for a new beginning...lets just call it a FRESH START. William rocks man...ROCKS but NO ONE IS LAYNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You 3 are my last remaining music idols. I was in your fantasy league, and genuinely love you guys...you were my childhood and still are the only band that I can listen to on my ipod straight through! I'm just hoping that you do the right thing...for him

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rise from the dirt I'm in, hide in another's skin
stick black dress doll with pin, your mouth takes on my grin

I can't wait for it... It's going to qwn in the most severe sense of the word, I can tell already... \m/

It's just cool to think like "Hey, I'm actually waiting for a cd to come out right now! Like, it's not already out! I will get to buy a cd from this time period!"

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HiP QWNS

Cort (Neil Young fan?),

I agree and yet disagree with you. Layne was and is a huge presence for Alice fans. Don't you think that is even more true for his friends and bandmates? Please don't get me wrong I'm mildly obsessed with Layne and yet I'm so stoked and at the same time nervous for these guys. I so hope this will be a huge success for them. Alice with Layne no matter how much we want it back, can't be. I see it  like having two children you love them both, they have different personalities, the first born puts you on the map as a parent but the second child brings you just as much joy. Layne for me put Alice on the map but I love the remaining band members and can still see them as Alice (because reality is they are) I wish them to perform as Alice and I want them to continue on as Alice I want them to be successful as Alice. I have a friend who changed her name after a divorce (first and last). It doesn't matter what she calls herself or wants me to call her she will always be her old name to me even tho her family broke up. My wish is that this band continues in some way make sure to honor Layne and make his presence known on that stage. Picture on the bass drum, video or whatever these brilliant remainang members choose no matter how obscure is there at every single concert. I'm also thinking his death can spark some wickedly heavy music and lyrics from his friends as I never knew him and I can have some wickedly heavy internal dialog about his absence. If I'm honest with myself it wouldn't matter if they changed their name...the will forever be part of a band I love and call Alice In Chains so they might as well keep the name.

Just as a reminder--before anything else is said--that this thread is for the upcoming album, not a discussion on whether or not the band should keep their name. We already know the deal with that.

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Quote: "First of all Layne WAS Alice."

I keep seeing this comment all over, but fail to see exactly why. I love and adore Layne as much as everyone else, but he wasn't AIC by himself - far from. If anyone one person should be called AIC it should be Jerry.

Quote: "If you look at the writing credits of your favorite songs Layne was probably half."

How do you know what my favorite songs are?

Quote: " He wrote almost the entire Alice In Chains album and a lot of other key songs."

This couldn't be further from the truth. Jerry has written probably 90% of the music and around 50% of the lyrics. 

As far as i see it, Layne choose his own destiny. He quit/passed away. As sad as that is, i don't see why the rest of the band shouldn't call themselves AIC. People/journalists would always refer to them as the guys from AIC anyway. And that's what they are - the guys from AIC.

Bring on the new album. I, for one, can't wait!

 

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