Alice in Chains: The Grunge Band of the ’90s

Alice in Chains was one of the most successful grunge bands of the ’90s. Formed in Seattle in 1987, the band rose to fame with their dark, heavy sound and lyrics that often dealt with drug addiction and depression. While they only released four studio albums during their career, Alice in Chains had a huge impact on the grunge and metal scenes and are considered one of the most influential bands of the ’90s.

Introduction

Alice in Chains is a grunge band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987. The band rose to fame in the early 1990s as part of the Seattle grunge scene, along with Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Alice in Chains was the first of these bands to sign with a major label, and their debut album, Facelift, was released in 1990. The album was a commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 chart.

The band’s second album, Dirt, was released in 1992 and entered the Billboard 200 chart at number six. The album was even more successful than its predecessor, selling more than four million copies in the United States. It includes the singles “Would?” and “Rooster,” both of which reached the top ten of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

In 1994, Alice in Chains released their third album, Jar of Flies. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the first EP or live album to ever do so. It included the hit single “I Stay Away.”

The band’s fourth studio album, self-titled Alice in Chains, was released in 1995 and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. It included the singles “Grind” and “Heaven Beside You.”

Following a hiatus from 1996 to 1998, Alice in Chains returned with their fifth studio album, 1999’s Music Bank box set. The set contained three CDs of previously unreleased material, as well as newly recorded tracks. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and included the single “Get Born Again.”

Alice in Chain’s sixth studio album, Black Gives Way to Blue, was released in 2009 after a 14-year hiatus. The band’s final studio album, Rainier Fog, was released in 2018.

The Band’s Early Days

Alice in Chains formed in Seattle in 1987, when singer Layne Staley (who had previously performed with the glam-metal band Alice N’ Chains) and guitarist Jerry Cantrell began jamming together. The pair recruited bassist Mike Starr and drummer Sean Kinney, and began performing live shows. The band’s dark and heavy sound was influenced by groups like Black Sabbath, Kiss, and Led Zeppelin. Alice in Chains first EP, “We Die Young,” was released in 1990; it featured the title track, as well as the song “Man in the Box,” which became a MTV staple.

The band’s debut album, Facelift, was released later that year; it featured hits like “Man In The Box,” “Sea of Sorrow,” and “Sickman.” The album was certified platinum thanks to the success of these singles. After touring tirelessly to support the album, Alice in Chains released the EP Sap in early 1992; it featured two acoustic versions of songs from Facelift, as well as four new tracks. That summer, the band embarked on a European tour with Metallica; upon their return to the U.S., they began work on their second album.

The Band’s Commercial Success

Although the band was not commercially successful at first, they gained popularity after the release of their second album, Dirt. The album was certified quadruple-platinum in the United States and included the hit singles “Would?,” “Them Bones,” and “Angry Chair.” It is considered one of the best albums of the 1990s. The band’s follow-up album, Jar of Flies, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified triple-platinum. It included the hit single “No Excuses.” Alice in Chains became one of the most successful bands of the 1990s, selling more than 30 million records worldwide.

The Band’s Tragic End

Alice in Chains was one of the most successful grunge bands of the early ’90s. The band’s dark, heavy sound helped them stand out in a genre full of bands with a similar sound. Alice in Chains’ first album, Facelift, was released in 1990 and was a commercial success. The band’s next two albums, Dirt and Alice in Chains, were released to critical acclaim and commercial success.

The band’s lead singer, Layne Staley, struggled with drug addiction for much of his life. His addiction led to him becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the band. In 1996, Mike Starr, the band’s bassist, was arrested for drug possession. He was fired from the band soon afterwards. In 2002, Layne Staley died from a drug overdose. He was 34 years old. The death of Layne Staley marked the end of Alice in Chains.

Conclusion

After their initial success with Facelift in 1990, Alice in Chains released the EP Sap in early 1992. The EP debuted at number seven on the Billboard charts and was quickly certified gold. It featured the singles “Again” and “Would?”, both of which received heavy rotation on MTV and radio stations nationwide. The band followed up Sap with their second full-length album, Dirt, in September 1992.

Dirt was an instant success, reaching number two on the Billboard charts and selling more than four million copies. It contained the singles “Rooster” and “Down in a Hole”, both of which received heavy airplay on radio and MTV. The album’s dark subject matter, which included references to drug addiction and suicide, helped launch Alice in Chains into the public eye as one of the leading grunge bands of the early ’90s.

The band continued to enjoy success with their 1994 album, Jar of Flies, which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. The album featured the hit singles “I Stay Away” and “No Excuses”, both of which received heavy airplay on radio and MTV. Alice in Chains toured extensively in support of Jar of Flies, playing to sold-out crowds across the country.

In September 1996, Alice in Chains released their self-titled third album, which debuted at number three on the Billboard charts. The album contained the singles “Heaven Beside You” and “Again”, both of which received heavy airplay on radio and MTV. However, by this point in their career, Alice in Chains had become plagued by drug addiction and internal strife, and they disbanded shortly after the release of their self-titled album.

In April 2002, Alice in Chains reunited for a one-off performance at a tribute concert for late singer Layne Staley. The concert was a huge success, and it led to a full-blown reunion tour that sawAlice in Chains playing to sold-out crowds across the country. In 2006, the band released their first new album in over 10 years, titled Black Gives Way to Blue. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard charts and was met with critical acclaim from fans and critics alike.

Alice in Chains has continued to tour extensively since reuniting in 2006. They show no signs of slowing down anytime soon, cementing their place as one ofthe most successful grunge bands of all time.