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Alice in Chains were the darkest and heaviest voice of the Seattle explosion. Jerry Cantrell’s sludgy riffs and Layne Staley’s haunted, layered vocals created a sound that was both crushing and strangely beautiful. Their songs looked addiction, loss and despair in the eye, and the band’s own story turned out to be just as intense.
| Formed | 1987, Seattle, Washington |
| Classic lineup | Layne Staley (vocals), Jerry Cantrell (guitar, vocals), Mike Starr (bass), Sean Kinney (drums) |
| Current lineup | Jerry Cantrell, William DuVall, Mike Inez, Sean Kinney |
| Genres | Grunge, alternative metal, hard rock |
| Breakthrough | Facelift (1990), Dirt (1992) |
Staley and Cantrell met in Seattle in the mid-1980s, and with Mike Starr and Sean Kinney they formed Alice in Chains in 1987, borrowing a name from an earlier band of Staley’s. They leaned closer to metal than most of their Seattle peers, which helped them reach rock radio and MTV early.
Their debut album Facelift (1990) became one of the first grunge-era records to go gold, driven by the single “Man in the Box,” with its talk-box riff and Staley’s wordless howl. A tour opening for Van Halen and an appearance in the film Singles followed.
Metal-leaning and confident. Start with “Man in the Box,” “We Die Young,” “Love, Hate, Love” and “Bleed the Freak.”
A quiet, acoustic detour with guest vocals from members of Soundgarden and Mudhoney. “Got Me Wrong” later became a hit.
Their defining record and one of the heaviest albums ever to go multi-platinum. It is unflinching about addiction and war, and it never lets up. “Would?,” “Rooster,” “Down in a Hole,” “Them Bones” and “Angry Chair” are all essential.
A mostly acoustic EP recorded in about a week, and the first EP to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “No Excuses” and “I Stay Away” show the band at its most melodic. Mike Inez had replaced Mike Starr on bass by this point.
Often called “Tripod” for its three-legged-dog cover, this album was their last with Staley. “Grind,” “Heaven Beside You” and “Again” are the highlights. The 1996 MTV Unplugged set that followed was one of the band’s final shows with him.
After Staley’s death in 2002, the band reunited with singer and guitarist William DuVall. This comeback album, with “Check My Brain” and the title track tribute to Staley, proved Alice in Chains could continue with integrity.
Two strong albums that keep the band’s trademark harmonies and weight. “Hollow,” “Stone” and “The One You Know” are the places to start.
The heart of Alice in Chains is the blend of two voices. Cantrell often sang a harmony a third above or below the melody, giving songs like “Would?” and “Down in a Hole” an eerie, almost choral quality. DuVall and Cantrell have carried that sound forward in the later records.
Alice in Chains bridged grunge and metal more convincingly than anyone, and their influence runs through alternative metal, post-grunge and modern heavy rock. “Would?” in particular is one of the most enduring songs of the era. Cantrell’s solo albums, including Brighten (2021), have kept his songwriting in the spotlight.
Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Mad Season (Staley’s side project with Mike McCready), Stone Temple Pilots, Tool and Deftones.
In 1987 in Seattle.
The classic lineup was Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell, Mike Starr and Sean Kinney. Today the band is Cantrell, William DuVall, Mike Inez and Kinney.
Dirt (1992) is widely considered their best and most influential record.
Yes. The band has continued with William DuVall since 2006. Check the band’s official channels and our concert guide for current activity.
“Would?” and “Man in the Box” anchor our grunge programming, and we play the DuVall-era songs right alongside them. Catch it on Where Modern Rock Meets Grunge, check the radio show schedule, or press play on the live stream. Want a specific song? Send a request or dedication.
About this article: Written and fact-checked by The Alternative One editorial team, the programmers and music writers behind the station’s on-air shows. Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Read our editorial standards or tell us about a correction.
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