Alice in Chains formed in Seattle in 1987 and brought real metal weight to the early-1990s alternative scene, built on the two-part harmonies of Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley. Dirt (1992) is the essential one; the acoustic Jar of Flies EP (1994) shows the haunted, quieter side. Dig into Alice in Chains vinyl, CDs, reissues, and box sets at Wax Trax Records.
Alice in Chains formed in Seattle in 1987. The original lineup featured Jerry Cantrell (guitar, vocals), Layne Staley (lead vocals), Mike Starr (bass), and Sean Kinney (drums). Mike Inez replaced Starr on bass in 1993. The band became commercially and critically successful through the early 1990s alongside other Seattle acts. Layne Staley died on April 5, 2002 from drug-related causes. The band reformed in 2006 with William DuVall as second vocalist alongside Cantrell and has continued recording and touring since.
Alice in Chains' sound combines heavy metal with grunge and alternative rock, characterized by Cantrell's down-tuned guitar work, distinctive two-part vocal harmonies between Cantrell and Staley (later DuVall), and lyrical themes addressing addiction, mortality, and isolation. The band's acoustic EPs Sap (1992) and Jar of Flies (1994) demonstrated a more atmospheric side of their songwriting.
Original Columbia pressings of Dirt and the self-titled Tripod album remain in circulation. Multiple anniversary reissues and color variants have been released, including expanded box sets covering the Layne Staley-era catalog.
Listeners new to Alice in Chains typically start with Dirt (1992) or the self-titled 1995 album. Jar of Flies (1994) is a common entry point for those interested in their acoustic-leaning work.
