Alice in Chains#Discography

File:Alice in Chains (1988 promo photo).jpg, Sean Kinney, Mike Starr, Layne Staley.]]

Before the formation of Alice in Chains, Layne Staley, a drummer at the time,{{cite magazine|author =de Sola, David |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/04/how-alice-in-chains-found-the-most-memorable-voice-in-grunge/255469/ |title=How Alice in Chains Found the Most Memorable Voice in Grunge |magazine=The Atlantic |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=April 16, 2012}}{{cite book | last=Prato | first=Greg | title=Grunge is Dead. The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eTg4whS9ClUC | year=2009 | publisher=ECW Press | location=Toronto |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=eTg4whS9ClUC&pg=PT210 210–1] | isbn=978-1-55490-347-4}} landed his first gig as a vocalist when he auditioned to sing for a local glam metal band known as Sleze after receiving some encouragement from his stepbrother Ken Elmer. Other members of this group at that time were guitarists Johnny Bacolas and Zoli Semanate, drummer James Bergstrom, and bassist Byron Hansen.

This band went through several lineup changes culminating with Nick Pollock as their sole guitarist and Bacolas switching to bass before discussions arose about changing their name to Alice in Chains.{{cite book | last=Prato | first=Greg | title=Grunge is Dead. The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eTg4whS9ClUC | year=2009 | publisher=ECW Press | location=Toronto |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=eTg4whS9ClUC&pg=PT211 211–212] | isbn=978-1-55490-347-4}} This was prompted by a conversation that Bacolas had with Russ Klatt, the lead singer of Slaughter Haus 5,{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUonBgAAQBAJ |date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|page=45}} about backstage passes. One of the passes said "Welcome to Wonderland", and they started talking about that being a reference to Alice in Wonderland, until Klatt said, "What about Alice in Chains? Put her in bondage and stuff like that."{{cite book | last=Yarm | first=Mark | title=Everybody Loves Our Town: A History of Grunge | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TggJYMdDaPkC&pg=PT166 | year=2011 | publisher=Faber & Faber | location=London |pages=166 | isbn=9780571249862}}

Bacolas liked the name "Alice in Chains" and brought it up to his bandmates; they agreed and decided to change the band's name. Due to concerns over the reference to female bondage, the group ultimately chose to spell it differently as Alice N' Chains to allay any parental concerns, though Staley's mother Nancy McCallum has said she was still not happy with this name at first. According to Bacolas, the decision to use the apostrophe-N combination in their name had nothing to do with the band Guns N' Roses.{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|page=46}} The name change happened a year before Guns N' Roses became a household name with their first album, Appetite for Destruction, released in July 1987.

File:Staley01.jpg in Boston in 1992]]

Staley met guitarist Jerry Cantrell at a party in Seattle around August 1987.{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|page=66}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALAJkqgGgVM| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/ALAJkqgGgVM| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Layne Staley Interview Alice in Chains 1996 part 1 of 2| date=November 21, 2008| via=YouTube|access-date=July 14, 2017}}{{cbignore}} A few months prior, Cantrell had watched a concert of Alice N' Chains in his hometown at the Tacoma Little Theatre, and was impressed by Staley's voice.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0WLlAx6PpE&t=10m20s| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520153739/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0WLlAx6PpE| archive-date=May 20, 2019 | url-status=dead|title=Intimate interview with Alice in Chains|via = YouTube|access-date=August 6, 2017}} Cantrell was homeless after being kicked out of his family's house, so Staley invited Cantrell to live with him at the rehearsal studio Music Bank.{{cite web |date=January 12, 2010 |title=Interview Alice In Chains - Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney about Layne Staley |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJW77uMEHdI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/tJW77uMEHdI |archive-date=November 14, 2021 |access-date=July 14, 2017 |work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

Alice N' Chains soon disbanded, and Staley joined a funk band. Cantrell's band, Diamond Lie, broke up and he wanted to form a new band, so Staley gave him the phone number of Melinda Starr, the girlfriend of drummer Sean Kinney, so that Cantrell could set up a meeting with Kinney. Kinney and his girlfriend went to the Music Bank and listened to Cantrell's demos, who mentioned that they needed a bass player to jam with them, and he had someone in mind: Mike Starr, with whom Cantrell had played in a band in Burien called Gypsy Rose. Kinney mentioned that his girlfriend was actually Mike Starr's sister, and that he had been playing in bands together with Starr since they were kids. Kinney called Starr and a few days later he started jamming with him and Cantrell at the Music Bank.

Staley's funk band also required a guitarist at the time, and Staley asked Cantrell to join as a sideman. Cantrell agreed on condition that Staley join his band. Because Cantrell, Starr and Kinney wanted Staley to be their lead singer, they started auditioning terrible lead singers in front of Staley to send a hint. When they auditioned a male stripper, Staley decided to join the band. Eventually the funk project broke up, and in 1987 Staley joined Cantrell's band on a full-time basis. Two weeks after the band's formation, they were playing a gig at Washington State University, trying to fill in a 40-minute set with a couple of original songs along with Hanoi Rocks and David Bowie covers.

The band played a couple of gigs in clubs around the Pacific Northwest, calling themselves different monikers, including Diamond Lie,{{cite web|url=http://www.bacus.net/alice/images/diamond.htm|title=Diamond Lie Press Kit|access-date=July 14, 2017}} the name of Cantrell's previous band,{{YouTube|WOZjcOCrepk|Interview Alice in Chains - Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney (part 2)}}. and "Fuck", before eventually adopting the name that Staley's previous band had initially flirted with, Alice in Chains.{{cite AV media notes| title=Music Bank| year=1999 |publisher=Columbia Records | id=69580}}{{cite journal |title=Link With Brutality | author=Kleidermacher, Mordechai |date=July 1990 |journal=Circus Magazine}} Staley contacted his former bandmates and asked for permission to use the name.{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUonBgAAQBAJ |date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|page=79}} Nick Pollock was not particularly thrilled about it at the time, and thought he should come up with a different name; both he and James Bergstrom ultimately gave Staley their blessing to use the name.

File:AiCBoston02.jpg, 1992]]

Local promoter Randy Hauser became aware of the band at a concert and offered to pay for demo recordings. However, one day before the band was due to record at the Music Bank studio in Washington, police shut down the studio during the biggest cannabis raid in the history of the state. The final demo, completed in 1988, was named The Treehouse Tapes and found its way to music managers Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver, who also managed the Seattle-based band Soundgarden. Curtis and Silver passed the demo on to Columbia Records' A&R representative Nick Terzo, who set up an appointment with label president Don Ienner. Based on The Treehouse Tapes, Terzo signed Alice in Chains to Columbia in 1989.

Alice in Chains soon became a top priority of the label, which released the band's first official recording in July 1990, a promotional EP called We Die Young. The EP's lead single, "We Die Young", became a hit on metal radio. After its success, the label rushed Alice in Chains' debut album into production with producer Dave Jerden.{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/dirt.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703145800/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/dirt.aspx| archive-date=July 3, 2006 |title=Discography – Dirt |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=February 9, 2008}} Cantrell stated the album was intended to have a "moody aura" that was a "direct result of the brooding atmosphere and feel of Seattle."{{cite journal| author=Moses, Michael |date=September 1991 |title=Alice in Chains: Who is Alice and Why is She in Chains? |journal=Rockbeat Magazine}}

The resulting album, Facelift, was released on August 21, 1990, peaking at number 42 in the summer of 1991 on the Billboard 200 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/tlp/|title=Alice in Chains "Facelift" Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 2, 2018}} Facelift was not an instant success, selling under 40,000 copies in the first six months of release, until MTV added "Man in the Box" to regular daytime rotation.{{cite magazine|url=http://aic.gsg2007.de/Artikel/Dirt.html |title=Dirt |magazine=Guitar World |author=Gill, Chris |date=September 1999 |access-date=September 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130120807/http://aic.gsg2007.de/Artikel/Dirt.html |archive-date=November 30, 2011 }} The single hit number 18 on the Mainstream rock charts, with the album's follow up single, "Sea of Sorrow", reaching number 27, and in six weeks Facelift sold 400,000 copies in the US. The album was a critical success, with Steve Huey of AllMusic citing Facelift as "one of the most important records in establishing an audience for grunge and alternative rock among hard rock and heavy metal listeners."{{cite web |author=Huey, Steve |title=Facelift |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r264|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=January 1, 2008 |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation}} Sammy Hagar claimed he invited the band to tour with Van Halen after he saw the music video for "Man In The Box" on MTV.{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUonBgAAQBAJ |date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|page=152}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVB7PZKsP_A&t=1m28s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/eVB7PZKsP_A| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Sammy Hagar w/Jerry Cantrell & Billy Duffy "Man in the Box" live 2012 |date=November 3, 2012 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

File:Jerry Cantrell 2.jpg

Facelift was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling a half-million copies on September 11, 1991,{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Alice+in+Chains&ti=Facelift#search_section |title=Recording Industry Association of America |publisher=RIAA |access-date=December 6, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142348/http://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=ALICE+IN+CHAINS&ti=FACELIFT#search_section |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }} becoming the first album from Seattle's Grunge movement to be certified gold.{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/alice-in-chains-facelift/|title=How Alice in Chains Bridged Rock Eras With 'Facelift'|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=August 21, 2015|access-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116064308/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/alice-in-chains-facelift/|archive-date=November 16, 2017}} The band continued to hone its audience, opening for such artists as Iggy Pop, Van Halen, Poison, and Extreme. Facelift has since been certified triple-platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of three million copies in the United States.

The concert at the Moore Theatre in Seattle on December 22, 1990, was recorded and released on VHS on July 30, 1991, as Live Facelift. It features five live songs and three music videos.{{cite web |title=Alice in Chains - Live Facelift |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-facelift-mw0000676283 |access-date=December 20, 2017 |website=AllMusic}} The home video has been certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 50,000 copies.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=ALICE+IN+CHAINS&ti=LIVE+FACELIFT |title=Recording Industry Association of America |publisher=RIAA |access-date=December 20, 2017}}

In early 1991, Alice in Chains landed the opening slot for the Clash of the Titans tour with Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer, exposing the band to a wide metal audience but receiving mainly poor reception.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59909 |title=Alice in Chains Guitarist Discusses 1990 Clash of the Titans tour, Touring With Ozzy |work=Blabbermouth |date=October 7, 2007 |access-date=February 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108155844/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=59909 |archive-date=January 8, 2009 }} Alice in Chains was nominated for a Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy Award in 1992 for "Man in the Box".

Following the tour, Alice in Chains entered the studio to record demos for its next album, but ended up recording five acoustic songs instead. While in the studio, drummer Sean Kinney had a dream about "making an EP called Sap". The band decided "not to mess with fate", and on February 4, 1992, Alice in Chains released their second EP, Sap.{{Cite web |url=https://aliceinchains.warnermusic.com/sap-cd.html |title=SAP CD |website=Warner Music |access-date=August 1, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The EP was released while Nirvana's Nevermind was at the top of the Billboard 200 charts, resulting in a rising popularity of Seattle-based bands, and of the term "grunge music". Sap was certified gold within two weeks. The EP features Cantrell on lead vocals on the opening track, "Brother",{{cite AV media notes |title=Alice in Chains - SAP |year=1992 |publisher=Columbia Records}} and guest vocals by Ann Wilson from the band Heart, who joined Staley and Cantrell for the choruses of "Brother" and "Am I Inside". The EP also features Mark Arm of Mudhoney and Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, who shared vocals with Staley and Cantrell on the song "Right Turn", credited to "Alice Mudgarden" in the liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Right Turn |year=1992 |publisher=Columbia Records |id=Buttnugget publishing/Jack Lord Music 67059}}

In 1992, Alice in Chains appeared in the Cameron Crowe film Singles, performing as a "bar band".{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_singles.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125070118/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_singles.aspx| archive-date=November 25, 2006 |title=Singles – Soundtracks and music scores |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=December 28, 2007}} The band also contributed the song "Would?" to the film's soundtrack, whose video received an award for Best Video from a Film at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards.{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1993/mtvvmas.htm |title=1993 MTV Video Music Awards |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |access-date=December 8, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071207102814/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1993/mtvvmas.htm| archive-date= December 7, 2007 | url-status= live}}

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In March 1992, the band returned to the studio. With new songs written primarily on the road, the material has an overall darker feel than Facelift, with six of the album's thirteen songs dealing with the subject of addiction.{{cite journal |date=February 1993 |author =Turman, Katherine |title=Digging Dirt |journal=RIP Magazine}} "We did a lot of soul searching on this album. There's a lot of intense feelings." Cantrell said, "We deal with our daily demons through music. All of the poison that builds up during the day we cleanse when we play." On September 29, 1992, Alice in Chains released its second album, Dirt. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains Chart History – Billboard 200|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/tlp/|access-date=November 30, 2017|magazine=Billboard}} and since its release has been certified 5× platinum by the RIAA, making Dirt the band's highest selling album to date. The album was a critical success, with Huey praising the album as a "major artistic statement, and the closest they ever came to recording a flat-out masterpiece."{{cite web |author=Huey, Steve |title=Dirt |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r70661|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=January 1, 2008 |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation}} Chris Gill of Guitar World called Dirt "huge and foreboding, yet eerie and intimate", and "sublimely dark and brutally honest."

{{quote box

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|quote=That darkness was always part of the band, but it wasn't all about that. There was always an optimism, even in the darkest shit we wrote. With Dirt, it's not like we were saying 'Oh yeah, this is a good thing.' It was more of a warning than anything else, rather than 'Hey, come and check this out, it's great!' We were talking about what was going on at the time, but within that there was always a survivor element – a kind of triumph over the darker elements of being a human being. I still think we have all of that intact, but maybe the percentage has shifted.

|source= —Jerry Cantrell in 2013{{cite web |url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/a-looking-in-view-jerry-cantrell-on-alice-in-chains-legacy

|title=A Looking In View: Jerry Cantrell on Alice in Chains' legacy

|publisher=The Skinny

|author=Dave Kerr

|date=13 November 2013

|access-date=May 2, 2018}}}}

Dirt spawned five singles that reached the top 30 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart: "Would?", "Rooster", "Them Bones", "Angry Chair", and "Down in a Hole", and remained on the charts for nearly two years.{{cite web |author=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=April 6, 2004 |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1486206/20040406/alice_in_chains.jhtml |title=Remembering Layne Staley: The Other Great Seattle Musician To Die On April 5 |publisher=VH1 |access-date=December 22, 2007 |archive-date=June 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626233125/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1486206/20040406/alice_in_chains.jhtml |url-status=dead }} Alice in Chains was added as openers to Ozzy Osbourne's No More Tours tour. Days before the tour began, Layne Staley broke his foot in an ATV accident, forcing him to use crutches on stage.

Starr left the band after the release of Dirt. Staley told Rolling Stone in 1994 about Starr leaving the band, "It was just a difference in priorities. We wanted to continue intense touring and press. Mike was ready to go home."{{cite magazine|title=Alice In Chains Bassist Mike Starr Dies At 44|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alice-in-chains-bassist-mike-starr-dies-at-44-20110309|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=March 9, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-date=March 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313051314/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alice-in-chains-bassist-mike-starr-dies-at-44-20110309|url-status=dead}} Years later, Starr claimed that he was fired due to his drug addiction.{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|pages=191–194}}

Starr was replaced by former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Mike Inez.{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/biography/default.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719150353/http://www.aliceinchains.com/biography/default.aspx| archive-date=July 19, 2006 |title=2006 band bio |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=December 14, 2007}} Inez had met Alice in Chains during Ozzy Osbourne's No More Tours tour and became friends with them.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GzXLrTZ_5A&t=8m44s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/2GzXLrTZ_5A| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Jerry Cantrell & Mike Inez of Alice in Chains Join The RE Show in Studio - 8/14/17 |date=August 14, 2017 |via=YouTube |access-date=May 2, 2018}}{{cbignore}} When the band was in Brazil, they called Inez to join them and he accepted.{{cite book|last1=Yarm | first1=Mark|title=Everybody Loves Our Town: A History of Grunge|date=2011|publisher=Faber & Faber|isbn=9780571249862|page=400}} Inez wanted to do the shows in Brazil and even got his immunization shots, but the band called him back telling that Starr wanted to do the last two shows in Brazil, so they would meet Inez in London instead. Inez ended up getting sick with his vaccination shots for a couple of days. Inez played his first concert with Alice in Chains on January 27, 1993, at the Camden Underworld in London.

In April 1993, the band recorded two songs with Inez, "What the Hell Have I" and "A Little Bitter", for the Last Action Hero soundtrack.{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_lastAction.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308215905/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_lastAction.aspx| archive-date=March 8, 2007 |title=Last Action Hero – Soundtracks and music scores |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=November 24, 2007}} During the summer of 1993, Alice in Chains toured with the alternative music festival Lollapalooza, their last major tour with Staley.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/480569/20-years-of-lollapalooza|title=20 years of Lollapalooza|magazine=Billboard |date=August 2012| publisher=Prometheus Global Media | access-date=November 19, 2012}}

File:MikeInez crop lrg.jpg joined Alice in Chains in 1993.]]

Following Alice in Chains' extensive 1993 world tour, Staley said the band "just wanted to go into the studio for a few days with our acoustic guitars and see what happened."{{cite magazine| author=Andrews, Rob |date=August 1994 |title=A Step Beyond Layne's World |magazine=Hit Parader}} "We never really planned on the music we made at that time to be released. But the record label heard it and they really liked it. For us, it was just the experience of four guys getting together in the studio and making some music."

Columbia Records released Alice in Chains' second acoustic-based EP, Jar of Flies, on January 25, 1994. Written and recorded in one week,{{cite web| url=http://aliceinchains.com/discography/JarOfFlies.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208170925/http://aliceinchains.com/discography/JarOfFlies.aspx| archive-date=December 8, 2006 |title=Jar of Flies – Discography |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=December 28, 2007}} Jar of Flies debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first EP—and first Alice in Chains release—to top the charts.

Paul Evans of Rolling Stone called the EP "darkly gorgeous",{{cite magazine |author=Evans, Paul |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/jar-of-flies-19940324 |title=Jar of Flies |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 24, 1994 |access-date=March 4, 2012 |archive-date=March 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324164629/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/jar-of-flies-19940324 |url-status=dead }} and Steve Huey said, "'Jar of Flies' is a low-key stunner, achingly gorgeous and harrowingly sorrowful all at once."{{cite web |author=Huey, Steve |title=Jar of Flies |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r191391|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=January 1, 2008 |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation}} Jar of Flies features Alice in Chains' first number-one single on the Mainstream Rock charts, "No Excuses". The second single, "I Stay Away", reached number ten on the Mainstream rock charts, while the final single "Don't Follow", reached number 25. Jar of Flies has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA, with over 2 million copies sold in the United States during its first year.{{cite web| url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Alice+in+Chains&ti=Jar+of+Flies#search_section |title=American album certifications – Alice in Chains – Jar of Flies| work=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=July 27, 2017}}{{cite magazine| url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1043814/ask-billboard-alice-in-chains-anthony-hamilton-jay-z |title=Ask Billboard: Alice In Chains, Anthony Hamilton, Jay-Z| magazine=Billboard |date=October 10, 2008|access-date=July 27, 2017}} Jar of Flies received two Grammy nominations, Best Hard Rock Performance for "I Stay Away", and Best Recording Package.{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-06-ca-17089-story.html |title=The 37th Grammy Nominations |date=January 6, 1995 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=June 26, 2018}}

After the release of Jar of Flies, Staley entered rehab for heroin addiction.{{cite magazine |author=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=February 8, 1996 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alice-in-chains-to-hell-and-back-rolling-stones-1996-feature-20110405 |title=To Hell and Back |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=March 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709093718/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alice-in-chains-to-hell-and-back-rolling-stones-1996-feature-20110405 |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The band was scheduled to tour during the summer of 1994 with Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Danzig, and Fight, as well as a slot during Woodstock '94, but while in rehearsal for the tour, Staley began using heroin again.{{cite magazine |author=Rothman, Robin |date=April 22, 2002 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/layne-staley-found-dead-20020422 |title=Layne Staley Found Dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=March 4, 2012 |archive-date=August 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813100545/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/layne-staley-found-dead-20020422 |url-status=dead }} Staley's condition prompted the other band members to cancel all scheduled dates one day before the start of the tour, putting the band on hiatus. Alice in Chains was replaced by Candlebox on the tour.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aQgEAAAAMBAJ&q=Candlebox%20replaced%20alice%20in%20chains%20metallica%20tour&pg=PA14|title=Atlantic, EMI Pub Weave New 'Tapestry'; Alice In Chains Cancels Summer Tour|magazine=Billboard|date=July 30, 1994|access-date=November 15, 2017}} Susan Silver's management office sent out a statement saying that the decision to withdraw from the Metallica tour and Woodstock was "due to health problems within the band."{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|page=212}}{{cite web|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/nov/22/hearing-from-alice-after-quiet-year-alice-in/|title=Hearing From Alice After Quiet Year, Alice In Chains Hammers Out New Album With The Hard And Heavy Sound Fans Will Appreciate |work=The Spokesman-Review|date=November 22, 1995|access-date=November 22, 2017}} Shortly after withdrawing, the band broke up for six months, with Kinney telling Rolling Stone in 1996, "Nobody was being honest with each other back then. If we had kept going, there was a good chance we would have self-destructed on the road, and we definitely didn't want that to happen in public."

While Alice in Chains was inactive during 1995, Staley joined the "grunge supergroup" Mad Season, which also featured Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, bassist John Baker Saunders from The Walkabouts, and Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin. Mad Season released one album, Above, for which Staley provided lead vocals and the album artwork. The album spawned a number two Mainstream Rock chart single, "River of Deceit", and a home video release of Live at the Moore.

In April 1995, Alice in Chains entered Bad Animals Studio in Seattle with producer Toby Wright, who had previously worked with Corrosion of Conformity and Slayer.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51361 |title=Meldrum Working With Producer Toby Wright |work=Blabbermouth |date=April 26, 2006 |access-date=December 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123193521/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51361 |archive-date=January 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }} While in the studio, an inferior version of the song "Grind" was leaked to radio, and received major airplay.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sonymusic.com:80/artists/AliceInChains/bio.html |title=Alice In Chains Timeline |website=Sony Music |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007164204/http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/AliceInChains/bio.html |archive-date=October 7, 1999 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 9, 2018 }} On October 6, the band released the studio version of the song to radio via satellite uplink to stem the excessive spread of taped copies of the song.{{cite web| url=http://www.iheartradio.ca/news/why-october-6th-matters-in-rock-history-1.2000155| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223053419/http://www.iheartradio.ca/news/why-october-6th-matters-in-rock-history-1.2000155| archive-date=December 23, 2017 |title=Why October 6th Matters in Rock History |publisher=iHeartRadio |date=October 7, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2017}} On November 7, 1995, Columbia Records released their self-titled album, Alice in Chains, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified triple platinum. Of the album's four singles, "Grind", "Again", "Over Now", and "Heaven Beside You", three feature Cantrell on lead vocals. Jon Wiederhorn of Rolling Stone called the album "liberating and enlightening, the songs achieve a startling, staggering and palpable impact."{{cite magazine |author=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=November 30, 1995 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/179804/review/5943047/aliceinchains |title=Alice in Chains: Alice in Chains review |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=January 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024043905/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/179804/review/5943047/aliceinchains |archive-date=October 24, 2007 |url-status=dead }} The band released the home video The Nona Tapes On December 12,{{cite web|title=Alice In Chains - The Nona Tapes| date=June 19, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Ohyj8FmLo| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/v0Ohyj8FmLo| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=April 5, 2018}}{{cbignore}} a mockumentary featuring interviews with the band members conducted by journalist Nona Weisbaum (played by Jerry Cantrell), and the music video for "Grind".{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|pages=234, 235, 236}} The band opted not to tour in support of Alice in Chains, adding to the rumors of drug abuse.{{cite magazine |author=Fischer, Blair R |date=September 4, 1998 |title=Malice in Chains? |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/malice-in-chains-19980904 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924203222/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/malice-in-chains-19980904 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=April 8, 2012 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}

The song "Got Me Wrong" unexpectedly charted three years after its release on the Sap EP. The song was re-released as a single on the soundtrack for the film Clerks in 1994, reaching number seven on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_clerks.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116034920/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/st_clerks.aspx| archive-date=November 16, 2006 |title=Clerks – Soundtracks and movie scores |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=December 28, 2007}}

Alice in Chains resurfaced on April 10, 1996, to perform for MTV Unplugged, a program featuring all-acoustic set lists.{{cite video |people=Perota, Joe (Director) |date=April 15, 1996 |url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/unplugged.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217083456/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/unplugged.aspx |archive-date=February 17, 2007 |title=Unplugged – Alice in Chains |medium=Television production |location=New York City |publisher=MTV}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bacus.net/alice/aicshows/960410.htm |title=Alice in Chains Concert Chronology: MTV Unplugged Session |publisher=John Bacus |access-date=December 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211090109/http://www.bacus.net/alice/aicshows/960410.htm |archive-date=December 11, 2007 |url-status=live}} The performance featured some of the band's highest-charting singles, including "Rooster", "Down in a Hole", "Heaven Beside You", "No Excuses" and "Would?", and introduced a new song, "Killer Is Me", with Cantrell on lead vocals. The show marked Alice in Chains' only appearance as a five-piece band, adding second guitarist Scott Olson. A live album of the performance was released in July 1996, which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/tlp/ |title=Alice in Chains Unplugged Chart History |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 2, 2018}} and was accompanied by a home video release, both of which received platinum certification by the RIAA. The band also appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman on May 10, 1996, performing the songs "Again" and "We Die Young".{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/alice-in-chains-layne-staley-10-great-performances-w474712/alice-in-chains-againwe-die-young-letterman-1996-w474745 |title=Alice in Chains, "Again"/"We Die Young" ('Letterman,' 1996) |date=April 5, 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407180429/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/alice-in-chains-layne-staley-10-great-performances-w474712/alice-in-chains-againwe-die-young-letterman-1996-w474745 |url-status=dead }} Alice in Chains performed four shows supporting the reunited original Kiss lineup on their 1996–97 Alive/Worldwide Tour, including the final live appearance of Layne Staley on July 3, 1996, in Kansas City, Missouri.{{cite web| url=http://www.casinoballroom.com/event-detail.php?event=94 |title=Alice in Chains – Sold Out |publisher=Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom |access-date=November 25, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071130054834/http://www.casinoballroom.com/event-detail.php?event=94| archive-date= November 30, 2007 | url-status= live}} Shortly after the show, Staley was found unresponsive after he overdosed on heroin and was taken to the hospital.{{cite web|url=http://diffuser.fm/alice-in-chains-layne-staley-last-show/|title=The Story of Alice in Chains' Last Show With Layne Staley|work=Diffuser.fm|date=July 3, 2016 |access-date=May 2, 2018}} Although he recovered, the band was forced to go on hiatus.{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUonBgAAQBAJ |date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|page=246}}

Although Alice in Chains never officially disbanded, Staley became a recluse, rarely leaving his Seattle condominium following the death of his ex-fiancée Demri Parrott on October 29, 1996.{{cite web|url=https://icepicksandnukes.com/2011/12/16/setting-the-alice-in-chains-record-straight/ |title=Setting the Alice in Chains Record Straight |author=David de Sola |date=December 16, 2011 |access-date=April 9, 2018}} "Drugs worked for me for years," Staley told Rolling Stone in February 1996, "and now they're turning against me ... now I'm walking through hell and this sucks. I didn't want my fans to think that heroin was cool. But then I've had fans come up to me and give me the thumbs up, telling me they're high. That's exactly what I didn't want to happen."

Unable to continue with new Alice in Chains material, Cantrell released his first solo album, Boggy Depot, in 1998, also featuring Sean Kinney and Mike Inez.{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Alice in Chains - Music Biography, Credits and Discography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/alice-in-chains-mn0000007920 |access-date=September 22, 2012 |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation}} Cantrell and Kinney were also featured on Metallica's 1998 album Garage Inc., both were guest musicians in the track "Tuesday's Gone", a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover.{{Cite web |url=https://www.metallica.com/releases/albums/4216/garage-inc |title=Garage Inc. |website=Metallica.com}} In October 1998, Staley reunited with Alice in Chains to record two new songs, "Get Born Again" and "Died". Originally intended for Cantrell's second solo album,{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/cantrell-jerry-021226/|title=Degradation Trip: An interview with Jerry Cantrell|author=Michael Christopher|work=PopMatters|date=December 26, 2002|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024122126/http://www.popmatters.com/feature/cantrell-jerry-021226/|archive-date=October 24, 2014}} the songs were reworked by Alice in Chains and were released in the fall of 1999 on a box set, Music Bank. The set contains 48 songs, including rarities, demos, and previously released album tracks and singles. The band also released a 15-track compilation titled Nothing Safe: Best of the Box, serving as a sampler for Music Bank, as well as the band's first compilation album; a live album, simply titled Live, released on December 5, 2000; and a second compilation, titled Greatest Hits in 2001.{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/music.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628204951/http://www.aliceinchains.com/music.aspx| archive-date=June 28, 2006 |title=Alice in Chains.com – Discography |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=December 28, 2007}}

In November 1998, Layne Staley recorded a cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" with the supergroup Class of '99. The song was featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 horror/sci-fi film, The Faculty.{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|pages=277–279}}

After they toured as part of Cantrell's solo band in 1998, Sean Kinney and Queensrÿche guitarist Chris DeGarmo formed a new band called Spys4Darwin. Mike Inez and Sponge lead vocalist Vin Dombroski joined the supergroup soon after. The band released their first and only album in 2001, a 6-track EP entitled Microfish.{{Cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=104499&page=1 |title=Rockers Team Up in Spys4Darwin |date=May 31, 2001 |publisher=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409122016/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=104499&page=1 |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=April 9, 2018}} In June 2001, Mike Inez joined Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society for the remaining dates of Ozzfest, following the departure of bassist Steve Gibb for medical reasons.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1444508/zakk-wylde-taps-aics-inez-for-ozzfest/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125134944/http://www.mtv.com/news/1444508/zakk-wylde-taps-aics-inez-for-ozzfest/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2017 |title=Zakk Wylde Taps AIC's Inez For Ozzfest |date=June 14, 2001 |website=MTV News}} Inez joined the band again for their West Coast and Japanese tour in 2003.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-ozzy-alice-in-chains-bassist-to-tour-with-black-label-society/ |title=Former OZZY/ALICE IN CHAINS Bassist To Tour With BLACK LABEL SOCIETY |date=March 5, 2003 |website=Blabbermouth}}

By 2002, Cantrell had finished work on his second solo album, Degradation Trip. Written in 1998, the album's lyrical content focused heavily on what Cantrell regarded as the demise of Alice in Chains, which still remained evident as the album approached its June 2002 release. However, in March that year, Cantrell commented, "We're all still around, so it's possible [Alice in Chains] could all do something someday, and I fully hope someday we will."{{cite web | last=Wiederhorn| first=Jon |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452982/20020319/cantrell_jerry.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020621031745/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452982/20020319/cantrell_jerry.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 21, 2002 | title=Jerry Cantrell Conjures Ghost Of Alice In Chains On New LP | publisher=MTV | date=March 20, 2002 | access-date=June 20, 2009}}

Reflecting on the band's hiatus in a 2011 interview, Kinney said that Staley wasn't the only one battling addiction.

He was the focal point, like singers are. So they'd single him out. But the truth was, it was pretty much everybody. I definitely had my hand firmly on the wheel going off the cliff. And the reason we pulled back – you know when you stop when you have two #1 records, it's not really the greatest career move – but we did that because we love each other and we didn't want to die in public. And I know for a fact in my heart that if we were to continue that I wouldn't be on the phone right now talking to you. I wouldn't have made it. I just wouldn't have.

After a decade of battling drug addiction, Layne Staley was found dead in his condominium on April 19, 2002. The autopsy and toxicology report revealed that he died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine, known as "speedball". The autopsy concluded that Staley died on April 5, two weeks before his body was found.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1453818/layne-staley-died-from-mix-of-heroin-cocaine-report-says/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502061245/http://www.mtv.com/news/1453818/layne-staley-died-from-mix-of-heroin-cocaine-report-says/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 2, 2014 |title=Layne Staley Died From Mix Of Heroin, Cocaine, Report Says |publisher=MTV |date=May 7, 2002|access-date=August 6, 2017}}{{cite news | first = Charles R. | last = Cross | title = The last days of Layne Staley; Alice in Chains singer dies at thirty-four after long battle with heroin | date = June 6, 2002 | work = ROLLING STONE no. 897}} Cantrell dedicated his 2002 solo album, Degradation Trip, released two months after Staley's death, to his memory.{{cite web| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artists/JerryCantrell/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119070122/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artists/JerryCantrell/| archive-date=January 19, 2008 |title=Well Worth The Trip |date=December 24, 2002 |publisher=Roadrunner Records UK |access-date=December 7, 2007}} Mike Starr later claimed on Celebrity Rehab that he was the last person to see Staley alive, and admitted to feeling guilty about not calling 911 after Staley had warned him against it. "I wish I hadn't been high on benzodiazepine [that night], I wouldn't have just walked out the door," Starr said.{{cite web|title=Former Alice in Chains rocker Mike Starr dies|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aliceinchains-idUSTRE72802X20110309|publisher=Reuters|access-date=August 6, 2017|date=March 8, 2011}}

Following Staley's death, Mike Inez joined Heart and toured and recorded with the band from 2002 through 2006.{{Cite web |url=http://www.heart-music.com/news?n_id=775 |title=Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart at Walk of Fame Star Ceremony |date=October 5, 2012 |website=heart-music.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920003847/http://www.heart-music.com/news?n_id=775 |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 9, 2018}} Jerry Cantrell collaborated with several artists such as Heart,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1484923/jerry-cantrell-to-jam-with-alice-in-chains-bandmates/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115221334/http://www.mtv.com/news/1484923/jerry-cantrell-to-jam-with-alice-in-chains-bandmates/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2017|title=Jerry Cantrell To Jam With Alice In Chains Bandmates |work=MTV|date=February 8, 2004}} Ozzy Osbourne,{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-alice-in-chains-guitarist-laying-down-tracks-for-new-ozzy-osbourne-album/|title=Former ALICE IN CHAINS Guitarist Laying Down Tracks For New OZZY OSBOURNE Album|website=Blabbermouth|date=August 16, 2004}} and Damageplan. In 2004, Cantrell formed the band Cardboard Vampyres along with The Cult guitarist Billy Duffy, Mötley Crüe vocalist and Ratt guitarist John Corabi, The Cult bassist Chris Wyse and drummer Josh Howser.{{cite web|last=Jeckell |first=Barry A. |url=http://www.glidemagazine.com/6063/jerry-cantrell-forms-new-band-cardboard-vampyres/ |title=Jerry Cantrell Forms New Band – Cardboard Vampyres |website=Glide Magazine |date=June 18, 2004}} On October 22, 2004, Sony BMG terminated their contract with Alice in Chains, 15 years after the band signed with the label, in 1989.{{cite book|last1=de Sola|first1=David|title=Alice in Chains: The Untold Story|date=August 4, 2015|publisher=Thomas Dunne Books|isbn=978-1250048073|pages=323–324}}

File:William DuVall - Alice in Chains - Roskilde Festival 2010.jpg, replaced Staley in the reformed band in 2006.]]

In 2005, Sean Kinney came up with the idea of doing a benefit concert for the victims of the tsunami disaster that struck South Asia in 2004. Kinney made calls to his former bandmates, as well as friends in the music community, such as former Alice in Chains manager Susan Silver. Kinney was surprised by the enthusiastic response to his idea.{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/music/article/Kinney-drums-up-enthusiastic-response-for-tsunami-1166652.php|title=Kinney drums up enthusiastic response for tsunami benefit |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=February 17, 2005|access-date=November 22, 2017}} On February 18, 2005, Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, and Sean Kinney reunited to perform for the first time in nine years at K-Rock Tsunami Continued Care Relief Concert in Seattle.{{cite news| author=Hay, Travis |date=February 21, 2005 |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/pop/212872_alice21q.html |title=Alice in Chains owns stage in tsunami-relief show full of surprises |publisher=Seattlepi.com|access-date=November 25, 2007}} The band featured Damageplan vocalist Pat Lachman, as well as other special guests including Maynard James Keenan of Tool, Wes Scantlin of Puddle of Mudd and Ann Wilson of Heart. A few months after that experience, the band called Susan Silver and Cantrell's manager Bill Siddons and said they wanted to tour as Alice in Chains again.{{cite web|url=https://www.pollstarpro.com/live2010/panelband.htm|title=Putting The Band Back Together|work=PollstarPro|date=February 17, 2010|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204214139/http://www.pollstarpro.com/live2010/panelband.htm|archive-date=February 4, 2011|url-status=dead}} Alice in Chains was approached by the producers of the CBS reality show Rock Star about being featured on its second season, but the band turned the offer down. In the show, aspiring singers competed to become the lead vocalist of a featured group.

On March 10, 2006, the surviving members performed at VH1's Decades Rock Live! concert, honoring fellow Seattle musicians Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-vh1-heart-tribute-performance-to-air-tonight/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: VH1 HEART Tribute Performance To Air Tonight |work=Blabbermouth|date=May 5, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}} They played "Would?" with vocalist Phil Anselmo of Pantera and Down and bass player Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IJi7aQaySU| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/-IJi7aQaySU| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Phil Anselmo - Alice in Chains - Would? |work=YouTube|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{cbignore}} and at the end of the performance Cantrell dedicated the show to Layne Staley and the late Pantera and Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell. They also played "Rooster" with Comes with the Fall vocalist William DuVall and Ann Wilson.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-perform-rooster-on-decades-rock-live-video-available/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Perform 'Rooster' On 'Decades Rock Live!': Video Available |work=Blabbermouth|date=May 8, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}} The band followed the concert with a short United States club tour named "Finish What We Started",{{Cite web |url=http://illinoisentertainer.com/2006/05/alice-in-chains-live/ |title=Alice In Chains Live! |date=May 21, 2016 |website=Illinois Entertainer}} several festival dates in Europe,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10518215/latest_news_jayz_the_strokes_r_kelly_and_more |title=Metallica man joins Alice in Chains |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 9, 2006 |access-date=November 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613024237/https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10518215/latest_news_jayz_the_strokes_r_kelly_and_more |archive-date=June 13, 2006 |url-status=dead }} and a brief tour in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-confirm-japanese-tour-dates/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Confirm Japanese Tour Dates|work=Blabbermouth|date=April 29, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}} Duff McKagan again joined the band for the reunion tour, playing rhythm guitar on selected songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/duff_mckagan_to_tour_with_alice_in_chains.html|title=Duff McKagan To Tour With Alice In Chains|work=Ultimate Guitar|date=April 11, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}} During the tour, the band played a 5-minute video tribute to Staley during the changeover from the electric to acoustic set.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvQ3tm7P3bU | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/mvQ3tm7P3bU| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Alice in Chains - Layne Staley Tribute Video |date=July 16, 2008 |via=YouTube |access-date=May 2, 2018}}{{cbignore}}

To coincide with the band's reunion, Sony Music released the long-delayed third Alice in Chains compilation, The Essential Alice in Chains, a double album that includes 28 songs.{{cite web| url=http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/essentials.aspx| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011024536/http://www.aliceinchains.com/discography/essentials.aspx| archive-date=October 11, 2007 |title=The Essential Alice in Chains |publisher=Aliceinchains.com |access-date=December 28, 2007}}

Jerry Cantrell met William DuVall in Los Angeles in 2000 through a mutual acquaintance who introduced Cantrell to Comes with the Fall's first album.{{Cite web |url=http://maytherockbewithyou.com/mtrbwy/2009/10/william-duvall-of-alice-in-chains/ |title=William DuVall of Alice In Chains |last=Culpan |first=Troy |date=October 9, 2009 |website=maytherockbewithyou.com |access-date=June 26, 2018}} Cantrell started hanging out with the band and occasionally joined them onstage.{{Cite web |url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-161482-With-Alice-in-Chains,-Atlanta-punk-icon-William-DuVall-finds-his-audience---2/23/2010 |title=With Alice in Chains, Atlanta punk icon William DuVall finds his audience |last=Radford |first=Chad |date=February 23, 2010 |website=Atlanta Creative Loafing |access-date=June 26, 2018}} Between 2001 and 2002, Comes with the Fall was both the opening act on Cantrell's tour for his second solo album, Degradation Trip, and also his backing band,{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/comes-with-the-fall-030925-2496107908.html|title=Banged Up But Still Unbreakable: Comes With the Fall |work=PopMatters|date=September 25, 2003|access-date=November 22, 2017}} with DuVall singing Staley's parts at the concerts.{{cite web|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2009/09/28/interview-with-jerry-cantrell-alice-in-chains-too-long-on-the-outside/|title=Interview with Jerry Cantrell: Alice In Chains, Too Long On The Outside |work=The Aquarian|date=September 28, 2009|access-date=November 22, 2017}} DuVall joined Alice in Chains as lead singer during the band's reunion concerts in 2006,{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-tap-comes-with-the-fall-s-duvall-for-european-tour/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Tap COMES WITH THE FALL's DUVALL For European Tour |work=Blabbermouth|date=April 5, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2006/03/08/alice-in-chains-the-return/2/|title=Interview with Alice In Chains: The Return|newspaper=The Aquarian|date=March 8, 2006|access-date=November 15, 2017}} and made his first public performance with the band at VH1's Decades Rock Live! concert.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U07a4-Ja6EM| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/U07a4-Ja6EM| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=William Duvall on How He Came to Be In Alice in Chains|publisher=YouTube|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2017}}{{cbignore}} According to Cantrell, it only took one audition for DuVall to get the gig.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/scott_weiland_wanted_to_sing_in_alice_in_chains_jerry_cantrell_explains.html|title=Scott Weiland Wanted to Sing in Alice in Chains, Jerry Cantrell Explains|work=Ultimate Guitar|date=March 7, 2014|access-date=December 16, 2017}} For his first rehearsal with the band, DuVall sang "Love, Hate, Love". After they finished, Sean Kinney looked at his bandmates and said, "I think the search is pretty much over."{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IMsGZbYziM| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/_IMsGZbYziM| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Sonisphere 09: Alice In Chains |work=YouTube|date=August 3, 2006|access-date=December 16, 2017}}{{cbignore}} According to Mike Inez, DuVall didn't try to emulate Staley, and that's what drew them to him.{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/121318-after-tragedy-alice-in-chains-celebrates-a-new-chapter-2496169631.html|title=After tragedy, Alice in Chains celebrates a new chapter|work=PopMatters|date=February 23, 2010|access-date=December 16, 2017}}

Cantrell revealed that before he suggested DuVall for the band, Sean Kinney and Mike Inez invited Sponge and Spys4Darwin lead vocalist Vin Dombroski to jam with the band in their rehearsal space. Dombroski jammed with them to a couple of songs but they did not feel he was right for the band.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar6kc-4w0EA&t=20m21s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/ar6kc-4w0EA| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Let There Be Talk: Jerry Cantrell |date=August 3, 2016 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 9, 2018}}{{cbignore}} According to Cantrell, Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver lead singer Scott Weiland was also interested in joining the band.

Cantrell explained the reunion saying,

We want to celebrate what we did and the memory of our friend. We have played with some [singers] who can actually bring it and add their own thing to it without being a Layne clone. We're not interested in stepping on [Staley's] rich legacy. It's a tough thing to go through. Do you take the Led Zeppelin approach and never play again, because the guy was that important? That's the approach we've taken for a lot of years. Or, do you give it a shot, try something? We're willing to take a chance on it. It's completely a reunion because the three of us who're left are back together. But it's not about separating and forgetting—it's about remembering and moving on.

During the VH1 Rock Honors concert honoring Heart on May 12, 2007, Alice in Chains performed Heart's "Barracuda" fronted by country singer Gretchen Wilson. Heart's guitarist Nancy Wilson also joined them onstage.{{Cite web |url=https://sleazeroxx.com/concerts/vh1-rock-honors-2007-concert-review/ |title=VH1 Rock Honors 2007 Concert Review |date=May 20, 2007 |website=Sleaze Roxx |access-date=June 26, 2018}}

Alice in Chains joined Velvet Revolver for a run of U.S. and Canadian gigs from August through October 2007.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1560256/velvet-revolver-team-with-alice-in-chains-for-summer-tour/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202080944/http://www.mtv.com/news/1560256/velvet-revolver-team-with-alice-in-chains-for-summer-tour/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |title=Velvet Revolver Team With Alice In Chains For Summer Tour |date=May 22, 2007 |website=MTV News |access-date=April 8, 2018}} During that tour, the band also performed four special acoustic-only shows, named as "The Acoustic Hour".{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-to-play-four-acoustic-shows/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS To Play Four Acoustic Shows |date=July 24, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=June 26, 2018}} The acoustic performance at The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 31, 2007, was recorded for an upcoming live album.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-acoustic-show-in-milwaukee-recorded-for-upcoming-live-album/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS: Acoustic Show In Milwaukee Recorded For Upcoming Live Album |date=September 1, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=June 26, 2018}}

File:Alice_in_Chains_rehearsal2.jpg

On November 2, 2007, Alice in Chains performed a four-song set at Benaroya Hall in Seattle for Matt Messina and the Symphony Guild's 10th anniversary benefit concert for the Seattle Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center. In addition to the band's original material, they also played a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" while backed by over 200 musicians, including the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and the Northwest Girlchoir.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-to-perform-at-tonight-s-symphony-legacy-in-seattle/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS To Perform At Tonight's 'Symphony Legacy' In Seattle |date=November 2, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=April 29, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-performs-led-zeppelin-classic-with-symphony-orchestra-video-available/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Performs LED ZEPPELIN Classic With Symphony Orchestra; Video Available |date=November 5, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=April 29, 2018}}

Sean Kinney said about the band's reunion:

I never called Jerry; he never called me, and said, 'Hey, let's get the band back together,' you know? We had been taking every step extremely cautious and slow, and just doing whatever feels right: If it's genuine and we're doing it for genuine reasons and we're all okay with it then we take a little step. None of us is broke. Nobody needs to be a rock dork, and you know, stroke their ego. I mean, we don't really operate like that. So as long as it felt good and from the right place and it's about making music and carrying on...{{cite web |url=http://drummagazine.com/sean-kinney-of-alice-in-chains-from-the-ashes/ |title=Sean Kinney Of Alice In Chains: From The Ashes |work=Drum Magazine|date=July 19, 2011|access-date=July 15, 2017}}

About the pressure being put on DuVall for replacing Staley as lead vocalist, Cantrell said,

To put all that weight on Will's shoulders is unfair. We're just figuring out how we work as a team. Although the band has changed, we've lost Layne, we've added Will, and there was no master plan. Playing again in 2005 felt right, so we did the next thing and toured. We did it step by step. It's more than just making music, and it always has been. We've been friends a long time. We've been more of a family than most, and it had to be okay from here [pointing to his heart].{{cite web |url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2009-09-16/alice-in-chains-through-the-looking-glass |title=Alice In Chains: "It hurts and you miss them, but you still have to live" |work=Classic Rock|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=July 15, 2017}}

Former The Doors manager Bill Siddons and his management company, Core Entertainment, co-managed Alice in Chains with original manager Susan Silver from 2005 to 2007.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/surviving-alice-in-chains-members-explore-ways-to-perform-together-again/ |title=Surviving ALICE IN CHAINS Members Explore Ways To Perform Together Again |date=August 15, 2005 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=February 7, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-parts-ways-with-management/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Parts Ways With Management |date=December 4, 2007 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=February 7, 2018}}

The band started writing and demoing songs for a new album with DuVall in April 2007.{{cite news| url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71296 |title=Alice In Chains Begins Writing New Material |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=April 26, 2007 |access-date=November 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201617/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71296|archive-date=September 30, 2007}} But the band did not show further signs of progress until October 2008, when they announced that they had begun recording with producer Nick Raskulinecz in the studio.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107501 |title=Alice in Chains Working with Rush/Foo Fighters Producer |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=October 23, 2008 |access-date=April 29, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525035102/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107501 |archive-date=May 25, 2009 }}

Blabbermouth.net reported on September 5, 2008, that Alice in Chains would enter the studio that October to begin recording a new album for a summer 2009 release.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104110 |title=Alice in Chains To Enter Studio In October |work=Blabbermouth |date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=September 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908001221/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104110 |archive-date=September 8, 2008 |url-status=dead }} On September 14, 2008, Alice in Chains performed at halftime during the Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers game at the Qwest Field (now named Lumen Field ) in Seattle. The 12-minute performance for a crowd of 67,000 people featured a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" accompanied by the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-performs-led-zeppelin-s-kashmir-at-seattle-s-qwest-field-video-available/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Performs LED ZEPPELIN's 'Kashmir' At Seattle's Qwest Field; Video Available |date=September 19, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=May 2, 2018}}

In October 2008, Alice in Chains began recording its fourth studio album at the Foo Fighters' Studio 606 in Los Angeles with producer Nick Raskulinecz. The band did not have a record label at the time and the album was funded by Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney.{{cite web|last1=Zina Walschots|first1=Natalie|title=Alice in Chains|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/alice_in_chains|website=Exclaim!|access-date=July 30, 2017|date=May 30, 2013}} At the Revolver Golden God Awards, Cantrell said that the group had finished recording on March 18, 2009, and were mixing the album for a September release.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuZXbZC4ooU&t=50s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/BuZXbZC4ooU| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Alice In Chains Set To Release First Album In 14 Years |date=April 10, 2009 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 9, 2018}}{{cbignore}} The recording process was completed on Cantrell's 43rd birthday and also the same day that William DuVall's son was born. In April 2009, it was reported that the new Alice in Chains album would be released by Virgin/EMI,{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118840 |title=Alice In Chains Signs With Virgin/EMI |work=Blabbermouth |date=April 25, 2009 |access-date=April 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427112318/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118840 |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }} making it the band's first label change in its 20-plus year career. Susan Silver, who started managing Alice in Chains in 1988, now co-manages the band with David Benveniste and his Velvet Hammer firm.

On June 11, 2009, Blabbermouth.net reported that the new album would be titled Black Gives Way to Blue and was officially set to be released on September 29, 2009.{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-new-album-title-release-date-revealed/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Album Title, Release Date Revealed|work=Blabbermouth |date=June 11, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}} The title first appeared on Amazon.com without any prior announcement from the band.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122629 |title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Single, Video On The Way |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628204749/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122629 |archive-date=June 28, 2009 |url-status=dead }} In addition, it was announced that Elton John plays piano on the title track, a tribute to Layne Staley written and sung by Cantrell.{{cite magazine | last=Moody |first=Nekesa Mumbi |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267778/alice-in-chains-scores-elton-john-for-tribute-track |title=Alice In Chains Scores Elton John for Tribute Track | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | date=August 11, 2009 |access-date=August 11, 2009}} The album features new vocalist and rhythm guitarist William DuVall sharing vocal duties with lead guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, who sings lead vocals on most of the songs.{{cite web|title=Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/album/alice-in-chains-black-gives-way-to-blue/|website=MusicFeeds|date=October 2, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2017}}{{cite magazine |date=September 29, 2009 |title=Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue |url=https://consequence.net/2009/09/album-review-alice-in-chains-black-gives-way-to-blue/ |magazine=Consequence of Sound |access-date=July 16, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Album Review of Black Gives Way to Blue by Alice in Chains|url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/Review/1167|website=Alternative Addiction|access-date=November 25, 2017}} DuVall sings lead vocals on the song "Last of My Kind".

File:Alice In Chains.jpg, Sean Kinney and Jerry Cantrell (Mike Inez is out of frame).]]

On June 30, 2009, the song "A Looking in View" was made available for purchase via iTunes and Amazon,{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-new-song-available-via-itunes-amazon/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Song Available Via iTunes, Amazon|work=Blabbermouth |date=August 6, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}} and for a limited time it was available as a free download through the official Alice in Chains website in early July.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-holding-back-on-playing-new-songs-for-now.html|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Holding Back On Playing New Songs For Now|work=Blabbermouth|date=July 17, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040627/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-holding-back-on-playing-new-songs-for-now.html|url-status=dead}} Although it was not the album's first radio single, Rock stations across the U.S. started playing the song.{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-performs-three-new-songs-in-london-video-available/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS Performs Three New Songs In London; Video Available|work=Blabbermouth |date=August 6, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}} The music video for "A Looking in View" debuted via the band's official website on July 7, 2009.{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-a-looking-in-view-video-available/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: 'A Looking In View' Video Available|work=Blabbermouth |date=July 7, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}} The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

"Check My Brain" was released to radio stations as the first official single from the album on August 14, 2009,{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-check-my-brain-released-to-radio-audio-stream-available/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: 'Check My Brain' Released To Radio; Audio Stream Available|work=Blabbermouth |date=August 14, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2017}} and was made available for purchase on August 17, 2009.{{cite web| url=http://bravewords.com/news/alice-in-chains-to-headline-99-5-kiss-bone-bash-in-san-antonio|title=Alice In Chains To Headline 99.5 Kiss Bone Bash In San Antonio|publisher=Bravewords |date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2017}} The music video for "Check My Brain" premiered on September 14, 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126807 |title='Check My Brain' Video to Premiere on Monday |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=September 11, 2009 |access-date=September 13, 2009 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923000554/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=126807 |archive-date=September 23, 2009 }} The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

To promote the album, the band released an EPK featuring all four of the members being interviewed while the Kiss makeup is being applied on them.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYbTnLgJsE | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/-mYbTnLgJsE| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Alice In Chains - EPK Promo |date=September 17, 2009 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 5, 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-sean-kinney-festivals-aic-23-mockumentary-rock-hall/ |title=Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell + Sean Kinney Talk Festivals, 'AIC 23' Mockumentary + Rock Hall |date=May 21, 2013 |website=Loudwire |access-date=April 5, 2018}} An app for iPhone was released on October 27, 2009, featuring songs, music videos, news, photos and networking.{{Cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/alice-chains-iphone-app-coming-oct-27 |title=Alice in Chains iPhone App Coming Oct. 27. |date=October 26, 2009 |website=Guitar World |access-date=May 22, 2018}}

Sean Kinney said about the new album and the fans' mixed reactions about the band moving on after Staley's death:

Look, it's a big move to fucking stand up and move on. Some people, the music connected with them so strongly, their opinions, how they feel about it ... It's amazing that they have such a connection but they seem to act like it happened to them. This happened to us and Layne's family, not them. This is actually our lives. If we're okay with it, why can't you be? This happened to us, this didn't happen to you. But this album isn't about that, it's a bigger universal point. We're all going to fucking die, we're all going to lose somebody, and it fucking hurts. How do you move on? This record is us moving on, and hurting. That, to me, is a victory. I already feel like I've won.

Sometimes people ask us, 'Wouldn't Layne have been pissed off that we did this?' And I tell them it would have been the opposite: he would have been pissed off that it took us so long to do this. We're not doing this for money; there is no money in the music business anymore. Jerry and I funded the whole album, and we spent lots of our own money, because we believe in this. And one of the reasons I'm doing this is so more light is turned on to something where the light was turned off.{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-jerry-cantrell-discusses-alice-chains-2009-comeback-black-gives-way-blue|title=Interview: Jerry Cantrell Discusses Alice in Chain's 2009 Comeback, 'Black Gives Way to Blue'|work=Guitar World|date=January 10, 2013|access-date=July 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702094006/http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-jerry-cantrell-discusses-alice-chains-2009-comeback-black-gives-way-blue|archive-date=July 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}

On March 21, 2011, Alice in Chains announced that they were working on a fifth studio album,{{cite web|title=Alice In Chains To Begin Work On New Album|url=http://metalhammer.teamrock.com/news/alice-in-chains-to-begin-work-on-new-album/ |publisher=Metalhammer.co.uk |date=March 21, 2011 |access-date=August 17, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=160902 |title=Alice in Chains Is Working On New Music, Says HEART's Ann Wilson |work=Blabbermouth |date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106092940/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=160902 |archive-date=January 6, 2012 }} and both Cantrell and Inez later made statements that they had begun the recording process. The album was expected to be finished by summer of 2012 and released by the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013. While Alice in Chains were writing for the album in 2011, Cantrell underwent surgery on his right shoulder, which delayed recording the new material. In an interview published in May 2012, Cantrell explained, "The thing that set me back is I had some bone spurs [and] cartilage issues in my shoulders. I had the same issue in the other shoulder about six years ago so I've had them both done now. It's a repetitive motion injury from playing."{{cite web|title=Lessons Learned With Jerry Cantrell|url=http://www.grammy.com/news/lessons-learned-with-jerry-cantrell|date=May 30, 2012|access-date=April 5, 2018}} Cantrell could not play guitar for eight months while he was recovering from surgery.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsQp6_PWqOk&t=1m09s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/xsQp6_PWqOk| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Jerry Cantrell takes over the KLOS airwaves with Melissa Maxx PT1 (November 12, 2014) |date=November 12, 2014 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 5, 2018}}{{cbignore}} While recuperating at home in a sling, Cantrell heard a riff in his head and sang it into his phone.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FROXRkhLcM8&t=5m23s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/FROXRkhLcM8| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Jerry Cantrell humming Stone's melody |work=YouTube |date=June 6, 2015|access-date=April 5, 2018}}{{cbignore}} The riff later became the song "Stone".{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2013-may-29-la-et-ms-alice-in-chains-20130529-story.html |title=Through the good and the bad, Alice in Chains unbroken |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=May 23, 2013|access-date=April 5, 2018}}

Alice in Chains played their first concert in nearly 10 months and their first concert after Cantrell's shoulder surgery at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma on August 13, 2011.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-ends-10-month-break-from-stage/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Ends 10-Month Break From Stage |date=August 22, 2011 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=April 5, 2018}} The band's only concert in 2012 was a five-song acoustic set on May 31 at the eighth annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert honoring Jerry Cantrell.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-honored-with-stevie-ray-vaughan-award-20120601 |title=Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell Honored with Stevie Ray Vaughan Award |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-date=June 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627115729/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-honored-with-stevie-ray-vaughan-award-20120601 |url-status=dead }}

File:Alice In Chains - Jimmy Kimmel Live.jpg in 2013]]

On December 4, 2012, Cantrell confirmed that the new album had been completed.{{cite news |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=183202 |title=Guitarist Confirms Completion Of New ALICE IN CHAINS Album |work=Blabbermouth |date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |archive-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208012229/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=183202 |url-status=dead }} The first single, "Hollow", debuted online on December 18, available for digital download in January 2013, along with an official music video.{{cite news|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Song 'Hollow' To Make Its Online Debut In Two Weeks|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=183271|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221095508/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=183271|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2013|work=Blabbermouth|access-date=December 7, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/alice-in-chains-new-single-hollow/ |title=Alice in Chains Unleash New Single 'Hollow' |publisher=Loudwire.com |date=December 18, 2012 |access-date=January 2, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.theprp.com/2012/12/21/news/alice-in-chains-working-on-hollow-music-video/ |title=Alice In Chains Working On "Hollow" Music Video |website=ThePRP.com |date=December 21, 2012}} On February 13, 2013, Alice in Chains posted on Facebook that their new album title would be an anagram of the letters H V L E N T P S U S D A H I E E O E D T I U R R.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/aliceinchains/posts/160201530798925 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/15295887490/160201530798925 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Alice in Chains |publisher=Facebook |date=February 13, 2013 |access-date=April 29, 2018}}{{cbignore}} The next day they announced that the album would be called The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here,{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=186281 |title=Alice in Chains: New Album Title Revealed |work=Blabbermouth |date=February 14, 2013 |access-date=February 14, 2013 |archive-date=February 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220012046/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=186281 |url-status=dead }} which was released on May 28, 2013,{{Cite news|date=May 28, 2013|title=Alice in Chains Release New Album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, and Video Teaser|website=Revolver Magazine|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/alice-in-chains-release-new-album-the-devil-put-dinosaurs-here-and-video.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012214004/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/alice-in-chains-release-new-album-the-devil-put-dinosaurs-here-and-video.html|archive-date=October 12, 2014}} and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

To promote the album, Alice in Chains teamed up with Funny or Die for an 11-minute mockumentary titled AIC 23, in which Film Studies professor Alan Poole McLard (played by W. Earl Brown) attempts to make a documentary on Alice in Chains without any help from the actual band, interviewing other musicians instead. Among them are country singer Donnie 'Skeeter' Dollarhide Jr. (played by Jerry Cantrell), Reggae singer Nesta Cleveland (played by William DuVall), Black Metal musician Unta Gleeben Glabben Globben Globin (played by Mike Inez) and the hipster Stanley Eisen (played by Sean Kinney).{{Cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/alice-in-chains-team-with-funny-or-die-for-hilarious-aic-23-mockumentary/ |title=Alice in Chains Team With Funny or Die for Hilarious 'AIC 23' Mockumentary |date=April 3, 2013 |website=Loudwire |access-date=April 5, 2018}} The video was released on April 3, 2013, and also features cameos by Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart, Mike McCready from Pearl Jam, Kim Thayil from Soundgarden, Duff McKagan from Guns N' Roses, Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher from Mastodon, and Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo from Metallica.{{Cite web |url=http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/f56c3e82fc/alice-in-chains-twenty-three |title=Alice in Chains Twenty-Three |date=April 3, 2013 |website=Funny or Die |access-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620181045/http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/f56c3e82fc/alice-in-chains-twenty-three |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |url-status=dead }}

In June 2013, the band released a pinball game app for iOS as part of Pinball Rocks HD compilation, featuring the single "Hollow", the band's logo and the album artwork, as well as references to the band's previous albums such as Jar of Flies and the self-titled record.{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2013/06/alice-in-chains-mobile-pinball-app/ |title=Ball in the Box: Alice in Chains Brand Their Own Mobile Pinball Game |date=June 13, 2013 |website=SPIN}}

The band released videos for the songs "Hollow", "Stone", "Voices", the title track and "Phantom Limb".{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-taps-director-roboshobo-for-phantom-limb-video/ |title=Alice in Chains Taps Director ROBOSHOBO For 'Phantom Limb' Video |publisher=lansingstatejournal.com |date=May 19, 2014 |access-date=April 5, 2018}} "Hollow"{{cite magazine|title=Mainstream Rock Songs - The Week of March 30, 2013|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2013-03-30|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 1, 2017}} and "Stone" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1566936/chart-moves-cassadee-pope-debuts-on-hot-100-hot-country-songs-alicia-keys |title=Chart Moves: Cassadee Pope Debuts On Hot 100, Hot Country Songs; Alicia Keys Reaches Adult R&B Milestone; The Lone Bellow Adds Airplay |first=Gary |last=Trust |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-date=June 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626065202/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1566936/chart-moves-cassadee-pope-debuts-on-hot-100-hot-country-songs-alicia-keys |url-status=dead }} while "Voices" reached No. 3,{{cite magazine|title=Mainstream Rock Songs - The Week of November 23, 2013|access-date=August 1, 2017|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2013-11-23|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002093225/http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2013-11-23|archive-date=October 2, 2015|url-status=live}} and each one of the three songs stayed on the chart for 20 weeks.{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains Chart History - Mainstream Rock|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/rtt/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 30, 2018}} The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical in 2014.{{cite news |date=January 26, 2014 |title=Grammys 2014: The complete list of nominees and winners |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammy-nominations-winners-list-story.html |access-date=November 25, 2017}}

Alice in Chains toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, and Europe in 2013 and 2014.{{cite web|first=Alex|last=Young|url= https://consequence.net/2013/01/alice-in-chains-announce-2013-tour-dates/ |title=Alice in Chains announce 2013 tour dates |website=Consequence of Sound |date=January 14, 2013}}{{cite magazine|first=Kevin|last=Rutherford|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5885569/alice-in-chains-announces-21-date-spring-tour |title=Alice in Chains Announces 21-Date Spring Tour |magazine=Billboard |date=January 28, 2014}}{{cite web|first=Chad |last=Bowar|url=http://loudwire.com/alice-in-chains-expand-2014-north-american-tour-august-dates/ |title=Alice in Chains Expand 2014 North American Tour With August Dates |website=Loudwire |date=April 21, 2014}} In May 2013, the band co-headlined the annual MMRBQ festival with Soundgarden in Camden, New Jersey.{{cite web|title=Soundgarden and Alice in Chains to headline 2013 WMMRBQ in Camden|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/index.ssf/2013/01/soundgarden_and_alice_in_chain.html|website=lehighvalleylive.com|access-date=August 1, 2017|date=January 18, 2013}} Asked in September 2013 if Alice in Chains would make another album, Cantrell replied, "It'll be a while. It's [been] four years since we put the last one out, but at least it's not the gap that was between the last one, so that's about right - about three to four years."{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/alice_in_chains_it_will_be_a_while_before_the_new_album.html |title=Alice in Chains: 'It Will Be a While Before the New Album' |publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com |date=September 4, 2013 |access-date=September 14, 2013}}

File:AIC 6-29-16 5 Live at arrowhead.jpg at Arrowhead Stadium in 2016]]

On January 18, 2015, Alice in Chains performed in the halftime show of the NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.{{cite web|author=Bob Condotta|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/seahawks/2015/01/16/alice-in-chains-to-perform-at-halftime-of-nfc-championship-game-sunday/|title=Alice in Chains to perform at halftime of NFC Championship game Sunday|work=Seattle Times|date=January 16, 2015|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119005940/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/seahawks/2015/01/16/alice-in-chains-to-perform-at-halftime-of-nfc-championship-game-sunday/|archive-date=January 19, 2015|url-status=dead}} Cantrell is a lifelong Seahawks fan and often attends their games.{{cite news|last=Farnsworth|first=Clare|title=Alice in Chains to rock CenturyLink Field at halftime on Sunday|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/alice-in-chains-to-rock-centurylink-field-at-halftime-on-sunday-115611|publisher=NFL Enterprises|website=Seahawks.com|date=January 16, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706163427/https://www.seahawks.com/news/alice-in-chains-to-rock-centurylink-field-at-halftime-on-sunday-115611}} In August 2015, Bassist Mike Inez said that the band had been "throwing around riffs for a new record" and "taking it nice and slow".{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/alice_in_chains_are_working_on_new_album.html |title=Alice in Chains Are Working on New Album |publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=July 25, 2017}} The band toured in the summer of 2015{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-announces-u-s-tour-2/ |title=Alice in Chains Announces U.S. Tour |work=Blabbermouth |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=March 27, 2015}} and the summer of 2016, including select shows opening for Guns N' Roses as part of the Not in This Lifetime... Tour.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/alice-in-chains-second-leg-2016-u-s-tour-dates/|title=Alice in Chains Reveal Second Leg of 2016 U.S. Tour|work=loudwire.com|date=June 6, 2016 |access-date=February 3, 2017}} The band finished their 2016 tour with a concert at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada on October 8, 2016.{{Cite web |url=http://thisisreno.com/2016/10/alice-chains-plays-final-show-2016-tour-reno/ |title=Alice In Chains Plays Final Show of 2016 Tour in Reno |date=October 17, 2016 |website=This Is Reno |access-date=April 29, 2018}}

In November 2016, Alice in Chains released a cover of the Rush song "Tears",{{cite web|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/music/3414980/alice-chains-just-dropped-cover-rushs-tears/|title=Alice in Chains Just Dropped a Cover of Rush's 'Tears' |work=Bloody Disgusting|date=November 18, 2016|access-date=November 30, 2017}} which was included in the 40th anniversary release of the album 2112.{{cite web|url=https://www.rush.com/2112-40th/|title=2112 40th|website=rush.com|date=November 4, 2016}} The home video Live Facelift was released on vinyl for the first time on November 25, 2016, as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday event.{{cite web|url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2016/11/25/alice-in-chains-prophets-of-rage-the-raconteurs-more-releasi.html|title=Alice in Chains, Prophets of Rage, The Raconteurs & More Releasing Exclusive Vinyl for Record Store Day Black Friday|publisher=ABC News Radio|date=November 25, 2016|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=November 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126150845/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2016/11/25/alice-in-chains-prophets-of-rage-the-raconteurs-more-releasi.html|url-status=dead}} The album features six songs and only 5000 copies were issued.{{cite web|url=http://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/8812|title=BLACK FRIDAY 2016 > Alice In Chains - Live---Facelift|publisher=Record Store Day|access-date=December 20, 2017}}

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Record Store Day, on April 22, 2017, Legacy Recordings released "Get Born Again"/"What the Hell Have I", a special 45 RPM double 7" single featuring four tracks remastered and available on vinyl for the first time, "What the Hell Have I", "A Little Bitter", "Get Born Again" and "Died".{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-double-7-single-to-be-made-available-for-record-store-day/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS: Double 7" Single To Be Made Available For 'Record Store Day' |date=March 22, 2017 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=June 26, 2018}}

In January 2017, Mike Inez stated in an interview that the band had begun work on a new album.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-is-working-on-follow-up-to-the-devil-put-dinosaurs-here |title=Alice in Chains Is Working On Follow-Up To 'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here' |website=Blabbermouth |date=January 24, 2017}} In June 2017, it was reported that the band would return to Studio X (formerly Bad Animals Studios) in Seattle to record a new album later that month, for a tentative early 2018 release. The sessions were helmed by Nick Raskulinecz, who produced the band's last two albums.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-to-re-team-with-producer-nick-raskulinecz-for-new-album/|title=Alice in Chains To Re-Team With Producer Nick Raskulinecz For New Album|work=Blabbermouth |date=June 6, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2017}} Studio X was the studio where Alice in Chains recorded its 1995 self-titled album. According to Inez, the band was not signed to a label, having completed its previous two-record contract with the Universal Music Group. "This [upcoming album], we're not sure where it's gonna land ... I mean, we financed ['Black Gives Way To Blue'] on our own too, so we're not too worried about that stuff. We've just gotta get it out to ... a significant label [with worldwide distribution]."

The band started recording their sixth studio album on June 12, 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BVQa0o2jLye/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/williamduvallofficial/1535845439420284062 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=subscription|title=William DuVall: Day One tracking |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=April 16, 2018}}{{cbignore}} On January 11, 2018, producer Nick Raskulinecz announced via Instagram that the album was nearly finished and that there was only one more day left of recording.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/big_news_from_alice_in_chains_new_album_almost_wrapped_up.html |title=Big News From Alice in Chains: New Album Almost Wrapped Up! |date=February 8, 2018 |website=Ultimate Guitar |access-date=February 8, 2018}} During an interview with Guitar World published on April 11, 2018, Jerry Cantrell said that the album was recorded at four studios. After recording at Studio X in Seattle, the band went to Nashville to record vocals and lead guitars at Nick Raskulinecz's home studio. But Cantrell had to take an unexpected break from work for a couple of weeks after getting sick on a trip to Cabo for Sammy Hagar's birthday. Cantrell had the band's engineer, Paul Figueroa, come in to his house and record a lot of his vocals and solos there. The band finished recording the album at the Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Cantrell also said he expected the album to be released "probably sometime this summer."{{Cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/jerry-cantrell-offers-more-details-on-alice-in-chains-new-album |title=Jerry Cantrell Offers More Details on Alice in Chains' New Album |last=Bienstock |first=Richard |date=April 11, 2018 |website=Guitar World |access-date=April 16, 2018}}

At the press room of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 14, 2018, Cantrell revealed that Alice in Chains had just signed with BMG, and that they had finished mixing their new album.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7NNXB8WYjw&t=2m20s |title=Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell remembers Chris Cornell |date=April 14, 2018 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 16, 2018}}

Alice in Chains did not perform live in 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://www.kshe95.com/news/real-rock-news/alice-chains-announces-first-live-date-october-2016 |title=Alice In Chains announces first live date since October 2016 |date=November 10, 2017 |publisher=KSHE 95 |access-date=April 29, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127172933/https://www.kshe95.com/news/real-rock-news/alice-chains-announces-first-live-date-october-2016 |archive-date=November 27, 2017 }} The band performed their first concert since October 2016 at the House of Blues in Boston on April 28, 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.livenation.com/events/726842-apr-28-2018-alice-in-chains |title=Alice in Chains at House of Blues Boston on Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:00 PM |website=Live Nation |access-date=April 29, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430050113/https://www.livenation.com/events/726842-apr-28-2018-alice-in-chains |archive-date=April 30, 2018 }} In May 2018, Alice in Chains headlined the festivals Carolina Rebellion,{{cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/carolina-rebellion-2018-lineup-announced-alice-in-chains-godsmack-muse-126091|title=Carolina Rebellion 2018 lineup announced: Alice In Chains, Godsmack, Muse headlining |website=AXS.com|date=December 4, 2017|access-date=February 8, 2018}} Lunatic Luau,{{Cite web |url=http://bravewords.com/news/alice-in-chains-announce-summer-headline-tour-band-wrapping-up-work-on-new-album |title=Alice in Chains Announce Summer Headline Tour; Band Wrapping Up Work On New Album |date=March 12, 2018 |website=Brave Words |access-date=May 24, 2018}} Pointfest,{{Cite web |url=http://www.midwestrewind.com/2018/02/16/alice-chains-shinedown-headline-pointfest-may-12/ |title=Alice In Chains And Shinedown Headline Pointfest May 12 |date=February 16, 2018 |website=Midwest Rewind |access-date=May 24, 2018}} Northern Invasion,{{Cite web |url=http://www.altrevolt.com/tool-avenged-sevenfold-and-alice-in-chains-headline-the-northern-invasion-festival-this-summer/ |title=Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, and Alice In Chains Headline The Northern Invasion Festival This Summer |date=December 11, 2017 |website=Alternative Revolt |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524130525/http://www.altrevolt.com/tool-avenged-sevenfold-and-alice-in-chains-headline-the-northern-invasion-festival-this-summer/ |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |url-status=dead }} the WMMR BBQ festival in Philadelphia,{{Cite web |url=http://wmmr.com/event/mmrbq-2018/ |title=MMR*B*Q 2018 |publisher=WMMR |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522193329/http://wmmr.com/event/mmrbq-2018/ |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }} and the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio on May 18, 2018, in which they paid tribute to Chris Cornell on the first anniversary of his death covering two Soundgarden songs to close their set, "Hunted Down" and "Boot Camp", respectively. At the end of the show, the lights on stage spelled out "CC" for Chris Cornell and "SG" for Soundgarden as feedback rang out.{{Cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/watch-alice-in-chains-cover-soundgarden-at-rock-on-the-range-2/ |title=Watch Alice in Chains Cover Soundgarden at Rock on the Range |date=May 19, 2018 |website=Loudwire |access-date=May 22, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=http://aliceinchainsofficial.tumblr.com/post/174043211170/columbus-oh-may-18th |title=Columbus, OH - May 18th|date=May 19, 2018 |website=Backstage with The Baldy |access-date=May 22, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522141322/http://aliceinchainsofficial.tumblr.com/post/174043211170/columbus-oh-may-18th |archive-date=May 22, 2018 }} The band started their European tour in June 2018,{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/03/alice-in-chains-announce-summer-tour-dates/ |title=Alice in Chains Announce Summer Tour Dates |date=March 12, 2018 |website=SPIN |access-date=June 26, 2018}} and headlined the Tons Of Rock Festival in Norway alongside Ozzy Osbourne and Helloween.{{cite web|url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2017/11/12/news/tons-of-rock-festival-announces-2018-lineup-featuring-ozzy-osbourne-alice-in-chains-and-at-the-gates/ |title=Tons Of Rock Festival Announces 2018 Lineup Featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Alice In Chains and At The Gates |website=mxdwn.com|date=November 12, 2017|access-date=February 8, 2018}} Alice in Chains are also scheduled to headline KISW's Pain in the Grass festival in August 2018.{{Cite web |url=http://www.northwestmusicscene.net/kisw-announces-massive-pain-in-the-grass-lineup-featuring-alice-in-chains-the-cult-slayer-and-many-more/ |title=KISW announces massive Pain In The Grass Lineup featuring Alice In Chains, The Cult, Slayer and many more |date=April 3, 2018 |website=NorthWest Music Scene |access-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=May 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522194045/http://www.northwestmusicscene.net/kisw-announces-massive-pain-in-the-grass-lineup-featuring-alice-in-chains-the-cult-slayer-and-many-more/ |url-status=dead }}

The band released a new single, "The One You Know", via Spotify, Amazon and iTunes on May 3, 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theprp.com/2018/05/03/news/alice-in-chains-streaming-new-single-the-one-you-know/ |title=Alice In Chains Premiere "The One You Know" Music Video |date=May 3, 2018 |website=ThePRP.com}} A music video directed by Adam Mason was released on YouTube the same day.{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/05/alice-in-chains-the-one-you-know-stream-video/ |title=Alice In Chains – "The One You Know" |date=May 4, 2018 |website=SPIN |access-date=May 6, 2018}} "The One You Know" peaked at No. 9 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

During an interview with Eddie Trunk on Trunk Nation on May 7, 2018, Jerry Cantrell said that the new album would be released at the end of August 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey_SgPztaF8&t=7m45s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/Ey_SgPztaF8| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Alice In Chains talk to Eddie Trunk about new song, music videos and new album (May 7, 2018) | date=May 30, 2018|via=YouTube |access-date=June 26, 2018}}{{cbignore}} The band also revealed that they talked to director Adam Mason, who is making a dark sci-film, about doing two separate pieces of art and maybe molding them together, and that the music video for "The One You Know" is the first chapter of molding Mason's film and the band's music videos together.

The second single, "So Far Under", was released on Alice in Chains' YouTube channel and on streaming platforms on June 27, 2018.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kerrang.com/the-news/alice-in-chains-announce-new-album-debut-new-track/ |title=Alice In Chains Announce New Album, Debut New Track |date=June 27, 2018 |website=Kerrang!}} It was also announced that the album would be titled Rainier Fog, with the release date scheduled for August 24, 2018. The album's artwork and the track listing were also revealed on the same day.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-to-release-rainier-fog-album-in-august-listen-to-new-song-so-far-under |title=ALICE IN CHAINS To Release 'Rainier Fog' Album In August; Listen To New Song 'So Far Under' |date=June 27, 2018 |website=Blabbermouth}} Jerry Cantrell told Rolling Stone that the title Rainier Fog was inspired by the Mount Rainier in Seattle, and the title track is a tribute to the Seattle music scene. "This song is a little homage to all of that: where we come from, who we are, all of the triumphs, all of the tragedies, lives lived."{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/alice-in-chains-talk-new-album-rainier-fog-w522077 |title=Alice in Chains Talk Honoring Seattle Comrades With New Album 'Rainier Fog' |date=June 27, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 27, 2018 |archive-date=June 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628070424/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/alice-in-chains-talk-new-album-rainier-fog-w522077 |url-status=dead }}

The album's third single, "Never Fade", was released on August 10, 2018, through digital and streaming services.{{Cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/listen-to-new-alice-in-chains-song-never-fade/ |title=Listen To New ALICE IN CHAINS Song 'Never Fade' |date=August 10, 2018 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=August 10, 2018}} The song is a tribute dedicated to frontman William DuVall's grandmother, Chris Cornell, and Alice in Chains' original singer Layne Staley.{{Cite magazine |url=https://i.imgur.com/ZtExoG7.jpg |title=The Music Lives. That Was The Goal |author=Luke Morton |magazine=Metal Hammer |date=July 19, 2018 |issue=312 |page=47}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/new-alice-in-chains-song-never-fade-was-inspired-by-layne-staley-and-chris-cornell/ |title=New ALICE IN CHAINS Song 'Never Fade' Was Inspired By LAYNE STALEY And CHRIS CORNELL |date=August 24, 2018 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=August 24, 2018}} "Never Fade" peaked at No. 10 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. A music video directed by Adam Mason was released on November 1, 2018, and continued the storyline from the music video of "The One You Know".{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-alice-in-chains-sinister-sci-fi-never-fade-video-750504/ |title=Watch Alice in Chains' Sinister, Sci-Fi 'Never Fade' Video |date=November 1, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 14, 2018}}

In June 2018, William DuVall said in an interview with Swedish website Rocksverige that the music video for "The One You Know" is the first chapter of what the band is hoping will be visuals for all ten songs from the album Rainier Fog, and in addition to that, will be a companion piece to the film that director Adam Mason was shooting.{{Cite web |url=https://rocksverige.se/intervju-william-duvall-och-mike-inez-fran-alice-in-chains/ |title=INTERVJU: William Duvall och Mike Inez från Alice In Chains |author=Niclas Müller-Hansen |date=September 1, 2018 |website=Rocksverige |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910041334/https://rocksverige.se/intervju-william-duvall-och-mike-inez-fran-alice-in-chains/ |url-status=dead }}

On August 20, 2018, the baseball team Seattle Mariners hosted a special "Alice in Chains Night" at the Safeco Field in Seattle to promote Rainier Fog, with the team offering the fans a package that included a Safeco Field terrace club ticket, access to a pre-game listening party of the album, an Alice in Chains T-shirt and a Rainier Fog CD.{{Cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/seattle-mariners-host-alice-in-chains-night-august-20/ |title=Seattle Mariners to Host 'Alice in Chains Night' on August 20 |date=August 2, 2018 |website=Loudwire |access-date=August 12, 2018}} Jerry Cantrell also threw out the ceremonial first pitch and delivered a strike before the Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros game.{{Cite web |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/see-alice-chains-jerry-cantrell-throw-first-pitch-seattle-mariners-game |title=See Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell Throw First Pitch at Seattle Mariners Game |date=August 21, 2018 |website=Revolver |access-date=August 24, 2018}}

To mark the launch of the album, on August 21, 2018, Alice in Chains performed an acoustic set at the top of Seattle's Space Needle and debuted the song "Fly".{{Cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/watch-alice-in-chains-perform-atop-seattles-iconic-space-needle |title=Watch Alice in Chains Perform New Song "Fly" Atop Seattle's Iconic Space Needle |date=August 22, 2018 |website=Guitar World |access-date= August 24, 2018}} Alice in Chains were the first band to perform on the Space Needle's new "Loupe" glass floor, the world's first and only revolving glass floor 500 feet high.{{Cite web |url=https://q13fox.com/2018/08/21/video-alice-in-chains-performs-atop-the-space-needle/ |title=VIDEO: Alice in Chains performs atop the Space Needle |date=August 21, 2018 |publisher=Q13 Fox News |access-date=August 24, 2018 }} The concert was exclusive for an audience of SiriusXM subscribers. SiriusXM broadcast the concert on their channel Lithium on August 31, 2018.{{Cite web |url=http://blog.siriusxm.com/hear-alice-in-chains-historic-performance-atop-seattles-space-needle/ |title=Hear Alice in Chains' historic performance atop Seattle's Space Needle |date=August 29, 2018 |publisher=SiriusXM |access-date=September 9, 2018}}

File:Alice in Chains Leeds 2018 1.jpg, England in 2018]]

On August 22, 2018, Alice in Chains sent fans on a scavenger hunt to access a secret gig that the band would be performing in Seattle on August 24. Ten signed CD copies of Rainier Fog were hidden around the city as a ticket into the show, and the band asked the fans to keep an eye on their Instagram story for details on the 10 hidden locations. Once all 10 albums were found, the band revealed that the secret gig would be at the rock club The Crocodile, with limited tickets available with the purchase of their album at a pop-up event at the same venue the next day.{{Cite web |url=https://alt929boston.com/2018/08/23/alice-chains-sent-fans-scavenger-hunt-access-secret-gig-2/ |title=Alice In Chains Sent Fans on a Scavenger Hunt to Access Secret Gig |last=Banas |first=Erica |date=August 23, 2018 |publisher=ALT 92.9 Boston |access-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824062123/https://alt929boston.com/2018/08/23/alice-chains-sent-fans-scavenger-hunt-access-secret-gig-2/ |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |url-status=usurped }} Preview clips of each of the album tracks were posted on the band's Instagram. The band also commemorated the release of the album with a pop-up museum installation at The Crocodile in Seattle on August 23 and 24. The museum featured rare Alice in Chains photos, limited-edition merchandise and memorabilia that showcased the band's 30+ year career.{{Cite web |url=https://kisw.radio.com/blogs/alice-chains-museum-crocodile-cafe |title=Alice in Chains Pop-up Museum Coming to the Croc |date=August 8, 2018 |publisher=KISW |access-date=August 12, 2018}}

Rainier Fog debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 31,000 copies (29,000 in traditional album sales), in its first week of release. The album also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums, Alternative Albums and Hard Rock Albums charts,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8473890/alice-in-chains-rainier-fog-rock-charts |title=Alice in Chains' 'Rainier Fog' Blows in at No. 1 on Rock, Alternative & Hard Rock Album Charts |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date=September 6, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 9, 2018}} and at No. 3 on the Vinyl Albums chart.{{cite web|date=September 4, 2018|title=US: Alice In Chains debut atop US charts with new album|url=https://www.bmg.com/us/news/Alice-In-Chains-debut-atop-US-charts-with-new-album-Rainier-Fog.html|publisher=BMG.com|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904230916/https://www.bmg.com/us/news/Alice-In-Chains-debut-atop-US-charts-with-new-album-Rainier-Fog.html|url-status=dead}} Rainier Fog became Alice in Chains' first top 10 in the UK, peaking at No. 9,{{Cite web |url=https://www.antimusic.com/news/18/September/05Alice_In_Chains_Have_Best_Chart_Debut_With_New_Album.shtml |title=Alice In Chains Have Best Chart Debut With New Album |date=September 5, 2018 |website=antiMusic |access-date=September 9, 2018}} and topping UK's Rock & Metal Albums chart.{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-albums-chart/20180831/112/ |title=Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40: 31 August 2018 - 6 September 2018 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=September 9, 2018}} The album has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/alice-in-chains-greta-van-fleet-ghost-among-grammy-nominees |title=Alice in Chains, Greta Van Fleet, Ghost Among Grammy Nominees |magazine=Guitar World |date=December 7, 2018 |access-date=December 8, 2018}}

On December 13, 2018, the teaser of the film Black Antenna featuring the song "Rainier Fog" was released on Alice in Chains' official YouTube channel, with drummer Sean Kinney stating; "We've always toyed with the idea of creating videos for every song on one of our albums. Not only did we do that for Rainier Fog, it got totally out of hand and we made a whole goddamn movie. Everything that will be seen in the videos will be footage from Black Antenna to preface the complete film's release."{{cite web| url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/see-creepy-surreal-trailer-alice-chains-new-sci-fi-movie-black-antenna |title=See Creepy, Surreal Trailer for Alice in Chains' New Sci-Fi Movie 'Black Antenna' |publisher=Revolver Magazine |date=December 13, 2018 |access-date=December 14, 2018}} "Rainier Fog" was released as a single on February 26, 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/alice-in-chains-show-a-change-of-pace-in-lyric-video-for-rainier-fog |title=Alice In Chains show a change of pace in lyric video for Rainier Fog |last=Munro |first=Scott |date=February 27, 2019 |website=Louder Sound}} The official trailer for Black Antenna was released on Alice in Chains' YouTube Channel on February 28, 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/watch-new-trailer-for-alice-in-chains-film-black-antenna |title=Watch new trailer for Alice in Chains film Black Antenna |last=Munro |first=Scott |date=March 1, 2019 |website=Louder Sound}} Besides a 90-minute film, a 10-part web-series focused on each track from the album was planned. Episodes 1 and 2, "The One You Know" and "Rainier Fog", respectively, were released on March 7, 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/music/3550070/alice-chains-release-first-two-black-antenna-episodes-director-adam-mason-talks-alien-survival-story/ |title=Alice in Chains Release First Two 'Black Antenna' Episodes; Director Adam Mason Talks Alien Survival Story |last=Miska |first=Brad |date=March 8, 2019 |website=Bloody Disgusting}} The tenth and last episode, "All I Am", was released on July 17, 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/see-action-packed-nsfw-finale-alice-chains-sci-fi-film-black-antenna |title=See Action-Packed, NSFW Finale of Alice in Chains' Sci-Fi Film 'Black Antenna' |date=July 17, 2019 |website=Revolver Magazine}} The official music video for "Rainier Fog" was released on YouTube on May 15, 2019, and was co-directed by Alice in Chains and Peter Darley Miller, who also directed the band's 2013 mockumentary, AIC 23.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/alice-in-chains-rainier-fog-video-835596/ |title=Alice in Chains Befriend Beer Bottle in Wacky 'Rainier Fog' Video |last=Reed |first=Ryan |date=May 15, 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}

On December 1, 2020, Alice in Chains was honored with the Founders Award from Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2020 |title=MoPOP To Honor Alice in Chains With 2020 Founders Award |url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/september/mopop-to-honor-alice-in-chains-with-2020-founders-award/ |website=MoPOP.org |access-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102182046/https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/september/mopop-to-honor-alice-in-chains-with-2020-founders-award/ |url-status=dead }} The benefit concert featured tribute performances from artists such as Ann Wilson, Korn, Metallica, Fishbone, Dallas Green, Billy Corgan, Tad Doyle, members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, among others. The event was made available for streaming for free and raised more than $600,000 for the museum in its first night. A compilation featuring highlights from the tribute was made available for streaming on Amazon Music.{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Music from Museum of Pop Culture's Founders Award Honoring Alice In Chains Available as Streaming Amazon Music Compilation |url=http://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/press/december-2-2020/ |website=MoPOP.org}}

In an April 2022 interview, vocalist William DuVall revealed that he was "sure" Alice in Chains would begin working on their seventh studio album later in the year:

We had a lot of time imposed on us and I think we're going through this period of catching up on things that we had planned for 2020 [and] 2021, and we're all finally getting to do that now. So, it's kind of like a stopgap and we're just dealing with all of these stockpiled projects that we had planned a few years back. So once we get back up to speed with things and we get these dates underway in late summer, I'm sure it will spark a whole bunch of ideas for the next Alice in Chains studio album.{{cite web|title=WILLIAM DUVALL Is 'Sure' ALICE IN CHAINS Will Begin Working On New Music Later This Year|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/william-duvall-is-sure-alice-in-chains-will-begin-working-on-new-music-later-this-year/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 22, 2022|access-date=April 24, 2022}}

However, in March 2023, DuVall stated there were "no plans" for new Alice in Chains music.{{cite web|title=WILLIAM DUVALL Says There Are "No Plans" For New Alice In Chains Music|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/william-duvall-says-there-are-no-plans-for-new-alice-in-chains-music-right-now|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 7, 2023|access-date=February 17, 2025}}

In February 2025, the band announced appearances at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida, Sonic Temple in Columbus, Ohio, and MMR*B*Q, a festival hosted by WMMR in Camden, New Jersey, alongside three other headlining performances with Chained Saint,{{cite web |last1=Hadusek |first1=Jon |title=Alice in Chains add spring 2025 US headlining shows |url=https://consequence.net/2025/02/alice-in-chains-spring-2025-us-tour-dates/ |website=Consequence |access-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218165834/https://consequence.net/2025/02/alice-in-chains-spring-2025-us-tour-dates/ |archive-date=February 18, 2025 |date=February 18, 2025 |url-status=live}} a thrash metal band from Florida.{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=John |title=Chained Saint, the thrash metal high-schoolers making a grab for the torch |url=https://loudwire.com/interview-chained-saint-thrash-metal/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406125228/https://loudwire.com/interview-chained-saint-thrash-metal/ |archive-date=April 6, 2025 |date=September 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} The tour was set to kick off at Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville, Connecticut on May 8, when Kinney suffered a medical emergency during soundcheck that evening. The band described the event as "non-life threatening" but were forced to cancel the show; two days later, the entire tour was scrapped. The band was advised Kinney's health issue needed "immediate attention" and he was unfit to perform the scheduled dates, though they stated "his long-term prognosis is positive."{{cite web |last1=Stenzel |first1=Wesley |title=Alice in Chains cancel upcoming tour after drummer Sean Kinney experiences 'medical emergency' |url=https://ew.com/alice-in-chains-cancel-tour-drummer-medical-emergency-11732593 |website=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=May 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512004900/https://ew.com/alice-in-chains-cancel-tour-drummer-medical-emergency-11732593 |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |date=May 10, 2025 |url-status=live}}

{{listen|filename=Nutshell.ogg

|title="Nutshell"

|description=A sample of "Nutshell" from Unplugged. This song originally appeared on Jar of Flies and represents the unique acoustic sound Alice in Chains has created.}}

Although Alice in Chains has been labeled grunge by the mainstream media,{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Karan|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/jar-flies-alice-chains-unleashed-accidental-master-203922 |title=With Jar Of Flies, Alice In Chains unleashed an accidental masterpiece|website=A.V. Club|date=May 6, 2014}} Jerry Cantrell identifies the band as primarily heavy metal. He told Guitar World in 1996, "We're a lot of different things  ... I don't quite know what the mixture is, but there's definitely metal, blues, rock and roll, maybe a touch of punk. The metal part will never leave, and I never want it to."{{cite web|url=http://www.adbdesign.com/aic/articles/art004.html |first1=Jeff |last1=Gilbert |first2=Andy |last2=Aledort |title=Go Ask Alice |work=Guitar World |date=January 1996 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729233916/http://www.adbdesign.com/aic/articles/art004.html |archive-date=July 29, 2013 }} See also: [https://books.google.com/books?id=4R0xtoz_gQ8C&pg=142 1a], [https://books.google.com/books?id=4R0xtoz_gQ8C&pg=147 1b], [http://www.guitarworld.com/1996-guitar-world-interview-jerry-cantrell-alice-chains-discusses-songwriting-and-bands-new-self-titled-album?page=0,1 2]. The Edmonton Journal has stated, "Living and playing in Seattle might have got them the grunge tag, but they've always pretty much been a classic metal band to the core."{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Murray|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/music/Alice+Chains+stroll+down+memory+lane+enthusiastic/8619032/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705155928/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/music/Alice+Chains+stroll+down+memory+lane+enthusiastic/8619032/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 5, 2013|title=Alice in Chains stroll down memory lane for enthusiastic Rexall fans|newspaper=Edmonton Journal|location=Edmonton|date=July 5, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2013}} A 1995 review of Alice in Chains from People dubbed the band "Seattle's most malevolent-sounding grunge outfit."{{cite web |title=Picks and Pans review: Alice in Chains |url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-alice-in-chains-vol-44-no-21/ |website=People |access-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024121501/https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-alice-in-chains-vol-44-no-21/ |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |date=November 20, 1995 |url-status=live}}

Over the course of their career, the band's sound has also been described as alternative metal,{{multiref2|1={{cite news|url=http://sundaygazettemail.com/Entertainment/201004140990 |title=Alice unboud: After a long absence, Alice In Chains is back |first=Bill |last=Lynch |newspaper=The Charleston Gazette |access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203181715/http://sundaygazettemail.com/Entertainment/201004140990|archive-date=February 3, 2013}}|2={{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QhhXAAAAIBAJ&pg=5766,270821|title='Alice' will rattle some chains|first=Patricia|last=Crean|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|access-date=September 27, 2012}}}} sludge metal,{{multiref2|1={{cite web|url=http://vulturehound.co.uk/2012/07/how-havent-you-heard-alice-in-chains-dirt/|title=How Haven't You Heard  ... Alice In Chains – Dirt|last=Conway|first=James|date=July 2, 2012|publisher=Vulture Hound Magazine|access-date=November 16, 2012|archive-date=July 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714053015/http://vulturehound.co.uk/2012/07/how-havent-you-heard-alice-in-chains-dirt/|url-status=dead}}|2={{cite news|title=Alice in Chains breaks free of a style|first=J.D|last=Considine|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/10/23/alice-in-chains-breaks-free-of-a-style/|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|location=Baltimore|date=October 23, 1992|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801233050/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-10-23/entertainment/1992297004_1_alice-in-chains-keith-jarrett-michael-bolton|url-status=live}}|3={{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LB&p_theme=lb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAE8F7148A842EF&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|title=THE METAL'S GONE, BUT THE TUNES AND MOODS REMAIN|publisher=Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA)|access-date=September 26, 2012}}|4={{cite magazine|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/aliceinchains-dirt/|title=Alice in Chains: Dirt|first=Michael|last=Christopher|magazine=PopMatters|date=September 23, 2003|access-date=September 28, 2012}}|5={{cite web|url=http://entertainment.stv.tv/music/136701-music-previews-alice-in-chains-tegan-and-sara-and-will-young/|title=Music previews: Alice in Chains, Tegan and Sara and Will Young|first=Michael|last=MacLennan|publisher=STV|access-date=May 11, 2013|archive-date=November 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114235844/http://entertainment.stv.tv/music/136701-music-previews-alice-in-chains-tegan-and-sara-and-will-young/|url-status=dead}}|6={{cite web|url=http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/cd-alice-chains-devil-put-dinosaurs-here|title=CD: Alice in Chains - The Devil put Dinosaurs Here|first=Russ|last=Coffey|website=The Arts Desk|date=May 26, 2013|access-date=May 27, 2013}}|7={{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/reviews/album/2013/05/23/alice-in-chains-the-devil-put-dinosaurs-here-chris-familton/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here|first=Chris|last=Familton|publisher=The Music.com.au|access-date=May 24, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055157/http://themusic.com.au/reviews/album/2013/05/23/alice-in-chains-the-devil-put-dinosaurs-here-chris-familton/|url-status=dead}}}} alternative rock,{{multiref2|1={{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Sarah |date=December 13, 2018 |title=Alice in Chains Unveil 'Rainier Fog' Companion Film |url=https://exclaim.ca/film/article/alice_in_chains_detail_rainier_fog_inspired_film_project |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=Exclaim! |quote=... the long-running alt-rock outfit have revealed plans for a companion film}}|2={{Cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |date=May 9, 2016 |title=Alice in Chains announce North American tour |url=https://consequence.net/2016/05/alice-in-chains-announce-north-american-tour/ |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=Consequence |quote=Alt rock titans' summer outing commences in July}}}} doom metal,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/204863|title=ALICE IN CHAINS – "It's Not Like We're Trying To Recapture Dirt  ... We Already Made That Fucking Record!"|first=Martin|last=Popoff|author-link=Martin Popoff|magazine=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=June 12, 2013|archive-date=June 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610051758/http://www.bravewords.com/news/204863|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/56786/Alice-In-Chains-Alice-in-Chains/|title=Review: Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains|first=Brendan|last=Schroer|website=Sputnikmusic|access-date=March 16, 2014}} and hard rock.{{cite web|url=http://rock.about.com/od/aliceinchains/p/Alice.htm|title=Alice in Chains Biography and Profile|first=Tim|last=Grierson|publisher=About.com|access-date=September 26, 2012|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006144237/http://rock.about.com/od/aliceinchains/p/Alice.htm|url-status=dead}} Furthermore, the band have also incorporated styles including blues rock,{{cite magazine |author = Gillian G. Gaar |title = A Band Called Alice |journal = Goldmine |pages = 54–56, 58 |date = August 5, 1994 |issn = 1055-2685}} folk rock,{{Cite web |url=http://www.sonymusic.com:80/artists/AliceInChains/bio.html |title=Alice In Chains Timeline |website=SonyMusic.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007164204/http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/AliceInChains/bio.html |archive-date=October 7, 1999 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 11, 2019 }} funk metal{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Dan |title=The 10 Best Alice in Chains songs |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1903099/the-10-best-alice-in-chains-songs/franchises/10-best-songs/ |website=Stereogum |date=October 6, 2016 |accessdate=May 3, 2019}} and jangle pop{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1903099/the-10-best-alice-in-chains-songs/franchises/list/|title=The 10 Best Alice In Chains Songs|author=Weiss, Dan|date=October 6, 2016|access-date=December 4, 2019}} into their music. Regarding the band's constant categorization by the media, Cantrell stated:

When we first came out we were metal. Then we started being called alternative metal. Then grunge came out and then we were hard rock. And now, since we've started doing this again I've seen us listed as: hard rock, alternative, alternative metal and just straight metal. I walked into an HMV the other day to check out the placement and see what's on and they've got us relegated back into the metal section. Right back where we started!{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YmocmZU2eJcC&q=%22grunge%22+%22alternative+metal%22&pg=PT42 |title=Alice in Chains: In the Studio - Jake Brown |date= June 2011|access-date=November 19, 2012|isbn=9780983471646 |last1=Brown |first1=Jake |publisher=SCB Distributors }}

The band are influenced to a great extent by English metal music; in 2018, Jerry Cantrell proclaimed Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi as "one of his biggest" inspirations,{{cite news |last1=Chapstick |first1=Kesley |title=See Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell pick favorite Black Sabbath, AC/DC albums |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-alice-chains-jerry-cantrell-pick-favorite-black-sabbath-acdc-albums |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=Revolver Magazine |date=October 22, 2018}} while Layne Staley named his "first influences" as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. The group's work with recording engineer Dave Jerden came about because upon meeting the band, recalling: "'Metallica took Tony Iommi and sped him up. What you've done is you've slowed him down again.' And [Cantrell] looked at me and said, 'You got it.' That's how I got the gig. I totally understood what they were doing."Joe Bosso (2013). [https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/production-legend-dave-jerden-on-13-career-defining-records-586973 Production legend Dave Jerden on 13 career-defining records, Part 10: Alice in Chains - Facelift]. MusicRadar.com, accessed April 23, 2024 Cantrell adjudged English rock singer Elton John as "the artist that made me want to be a musician." In addition, members of Alice in Chains have cited artists including AC/DC, Accept,{{cite web|url=https://www.velvetthunder.co.uk/interview-accept-guitarist-wolf-hoffmann/|title=Interview – Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann|access-date=February 3, 2021|last=Vickers|first=Lee|work=Velvet Thunder|date=January 13, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Album Review: Too Mean to Die by Accept (Nuclear Blast) |url=https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-too-mean-to-die-by-accept-nuclear-blast/ |access-date=January 25, 2021 |work=gbhbl.com |date=January 20, 2021}} Aerosmith, The Beatles, Black Flag,{{cite news |title=William Duvall Chats About his New documentary on Neon Christ and the Atlanta Punk scene |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/black-flag-mn0000091650/related |access-date=January 22, 2021 |work=Afropunk |date=February 21, 2011}} David Bowie, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dio,{{cite news |title=ALICE IN CHAINS Bassist: DIO 'Was A Leader And A Wonderful, Wonderful Human Being' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-bassist-dio-was-a-leader-and-a-wonderful-wonderful-human-being/ |access-date=January 25, 2021 |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 28, 2010}} Funkadelic,{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Amit |title=William DuVall: These are the 11 guitarists who blew my mind |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/william-duvall-these-are-the-11-guitarists-who-blew-my-mind |access-date=January 20, 2021 |work=Music Radar |date=September 25, 2019}} Hanoi Rocks,{{cite news |last1=Shipley |first1=Al |title=Alice in Chains are coming to the Armory on Friday, and here are 19 of their best deep cuts |url=http://www.citypages.com/music/alice-in-chains-are-coming-to-the-armory-on-friday-and-here-are-19-of-their-best-deep-cuts/508749241 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |work=City Pages |date=April 18, 2019}} Heart,{{cite news |title=Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell Sings Heart and Rush's Praises (A Top Story) |url=https://www.radio.com/2013/05/16/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-heart-rock-hall/ |access-date=September 1, 2020 |work=Radio.com |date=May 16, 2013 |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912191116/http://radio.com/2013/05/16/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-heart-rock-hall/ |url-status=dead }} Jimi Hendrix,{{Cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2019/10/heavy-culture-william-duvall-alice-in-chains/ |title=Heavy Culture: William DuVall on Roots, Race, Solo Album, Jimi Hendrix, and Alice in Chains |last=Ramanand |first=Liz |date=October 17, 2019 |website=Consequence of Sound}} Iron Maiden, Jethro Tull,King's X,{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=Ray |title=Mike Inez (Alice In Chains) Gives King's X Some Love |url=http://www.kingsxrocks.com/ |work=Kings X Rocks |date=December 27, 2010}} Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd,{{cite news |last1=Bienstock |first1=Richard |title=Jerry Cantrell Talks New Alice in Chains Album, 'Rainier Fog' |work=Guitar World |date=September 10, 2018}} Metallica, Steve Miller, Eddie Money, Motörhead, Mudhoney, Ted Nugent, Pink Floyd, the Pixies,{{cite news |title=Jerry Cantrell: "I'd plug into Eddie Van Halen's amp and sound like Jerry Cantrell. Eddie would play through my s**t and sound like EVH. It's in the hands. It's in your flesh" |work=GuitarWorld |date=December 10, 2021}} Queen,{{cite news |last1=Newquist |first1=H. P. |title=Jerry Cantrell Interview: Grinding It Out |work=National Guitar Museum |date=February 1996}} Queensrÿche,{{cite news |last1=Hintz |first1=Marty |title=Interview with Alice in Chains |work=Bohemia Visual Music |date=February 1991}} the Rolling Stones,{{cite news |last1=Hickie |first1=James |title=Jerry Cantrell: I knew what being a rock star was from an early age |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/jerry-cantrell-i-knew-what-being-a-rock-star-was-from-an-early-age-i-knew-it-wasnt-a-safe-path-but-ive-always-been-a-gambler/ |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=Kerrang! |date=February 26, 2019}} Rush, Scorpions, Soundgarden,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7NNXB8WYjw |title=Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell remembers Chris Cornell |date=April 14, 2018 |via=YouTube |access-date=April 15, 2018}} The Stooges, Television, Thin Lizzy, Robin Trower, U2,{{cite news |last1=Hickie |first1=James |title=Alice in Chains' William Duvall: 10 songs that changed my life |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/alice-in-chains-william-duvall-the-10-songs-that-changed-my-life/ |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=Kerrang! |agency=Kerrang! |date=November 27, 2019}} UFO,{{cite news |last1=Blackett |first1=Matt |title=Jerry Cantrell talks 'Devils & Dinosaurs' |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/1139/jerry-cantrell-talks-devils--dinosaurs/23310 |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=Guitar Player |date=January 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009015503/https://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/1139/jerry-cantrell-talks-devils--dinosaurs/23310 |archive-date=October 9, 2014 }} Van Halen, the Velvet Underground,{{cite news |last1=Babula |first1=Jordan |title=William Duvall - Add to the Oven |work=Teraz Rock |date=November 2018}} Hank Williams,{{cite web |title=MoPOP Oral History Interview: Alice In Chains' Musical Influences |date=November 23, 2020 |url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/november/mopop-oral-history-interview-alice-in-chains-musical-influences/ |publisher=Museum of Popular Culture |access-date=January 14, 2021}} and ZZ Top as influential or inspirational.

Jerry Cantrell's guitar style combines "pummeling riffs and expansive guitar textures" to create "slow, brooding minor-key grinds".{{cite web |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |title=Degradation Trip |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/degradation-trip-r590407/review |access-date=March 30, 2012 |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation}} He is also recognized for his natural ability to blend acoustic and electric guitars. While down-tuned, distorted guitars mixed with Staley's distinctive "snarl-to-a-scream" vocals appealed to heavy metal fans, the band also had "a sense of melody that was undeniable," which introduced Alice in Chains to a much wider audience outside of the heavy metal underground.

According to Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic, Alice in Chains' sound has a "Black Sabbath-style riffing and an unconventional vocal style." The band has been described by Erlewine as "hard enough for metal fans, yet their dark subject matter and punky attack placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands." Three of the band's releases feature acoustic music, and while the band initially kept these releases separate, Alice in Chains' self-titled album combined the styles to form "a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers."

Alice in Chains is also noted for the unique vocal harmonies of Staley (or DuVall) and Cantrell, which included overlapping passages, dual lead vocals, and trademark harmonies typically separated by a major third. Cantrell said it was Staley who gave him the self-assurance to sing his own songs. Alyssa Burrows said the band's distinctive sound "came from Staley's vocal style and his lyrics dealing with personal struggles and addiction."{{cite web| author=Burrows, Alyssa |date=May 17, 2002 |url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=3778 |title=Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley dies on April 5, 2002. |publisher=Historylink.com |access-date=December 8, 2007}} Staley's songs were often considered "dark", with themes such as drug abuse, depression, and suicide, while Cantrell's lyrics often dealt with personal relationships.

{{further info|List of awards and nominations received by Alice in Chains}}

File:Alice in Chains dolls.jpg dolls on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum]]

Alice in Chains has sold over 19 million records in the United States, and over 30 million records worldwide, released two number-one albums, had 23 top 40 singles, and has received eleven Grammy Award nominations. The band was ranked number 34 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.{{cite web| year=2000 |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/vh1hardrock.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |access-date=January 8, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080108173414/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/vh1hardrock.htm| archive-date= January 8, 2008 | url-status= live}} Alice in Chains was named 15th greatest live band by Hit Parader,"Hard Rock's All-Time Top 100 Live Bands." Hit Parader. February 2008. with Staley placing as 27th-greatest heavy metal vocalist of all time."Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists." Hit Parader. November 2006. The band's second album, Dirt, was named 5th-best album in the last two decades by Close-Up magazine in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/metallica_pantera_top_albums_of_last_17_years.html |title=Metallica, Pantera: Top Albums Of Last 17 Years |publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com |date=April 30, 2008 }}

In October 2008, Guitar World ranked Cantrell's solo in "Man in the Box" at No. 77 on their list of "100 Greatest Guitar Solos".{{Cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/100-greatest-guitar-solos-51-100 |title=100 Greatest Guitar Solos |date=October 30, 2008 |website=Guitar World |access-date=June 26, 2018}} In August 2009, Alice in Chains won the Kerrang! Icon Award.{{Cite web |url=http://blog.kerrangawards.com/2009/2009/08/the_2009_kerrang_awards_winner.shtml |title=News – The 2009 Kerrang! Awards winners |date=August 3, 2009 |website=Kerrang! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806040916/http://blog.kerrangawards.com/2009/2009/08/the_2009_kerrang_awards_winner.shtml |archive-date=August 6, 2009 |url-status=dead}}

In November 2011, Jar of Flies was ranked number four on Guitar World magazine's top ten list of guitar albums of 1994.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/readers-poll-results-top-10-guitar-albums-1994 |title=Photo Gallery: The Top 10 Guitar Albums of 1994 |author=Grassi, Tony |magazine=GuitarWorld.com |access-date=July 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117233740/http://www.guitarworld.com/readers-poll-results-top-10-guitar-albums-1994 |archive-date=November 17, 2011 |url-status=dead }} It was also featured in Guitar World magazine's "Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994" list,{{cite web |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/superunknown-50-iconic-albums-defined-1994 |title=Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994 |date=July 14, 2014 |work=GuitarWorld.com |access-date=July 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715053900/http://www.guitarworld.com/superunknown-50-iconic-albums-defined-1994 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=dead }} and in May 2014, the EP was placed at number five on Loudwire's "10 Best Hard Rock Albums of 1994" list.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/best-hard-rock-albums-1994/ |title=10 Best Hard Rock Albums of 1994 |date=May 20, 2014 |work=Loudwire |access-date=July 27, 2017}}

In June 2017, Metal Injection ranked Alice in Chains at number 1 on their list of "10 Heaviest Grunge Bands".{{cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/lists/10-heaviest-grunge-bands |title=10 Heaviest Grunge Bands |work=Metal Injection |date=June 14, 2017 |access-date=June 16, 2017}} Ozzy Osbourne ranked Facelift among his list of "10 Favorite Metal Albums".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/ozzy-osbournes-10-favorite-metal-albums-w485479/ |title=Ozzy Osbourne's 10 Favorite Metal Albums |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=June 27, 2017 |archive-date=June 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626172811/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/ozzy-osbournes-10-favorite-metal-albums-w485479 |url-status=dead }}

Pantera and Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell had expressed his admiration for Cantrell's guitar work in an interview for Guitar International in 1995, saying that "the layering and the honest feel that Jerry Cantrell gets on [Alice in Chains' Dirt] record is worth a lot more than someone who plays five million notes."{{cite web|url=http://guitarinternational.com/wpmu/2010/08/20/diamond-dimebag-darrell-the-pantera-interview/ |title=Diamond "Dimebag" Darrell: The Pantera Interview |publisher=Guitar International |date=September 1995 |access-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111121852/http://guitarinternational.com/wpmu/2010/08/20/diamond-dimebag-darrell-the-pantera-interview/ |archive-date=January 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Street musician Wesley Willis wrote a song about the band entitled "Alice in Chains", featured on his 1996 album Feel The Power.{{Cite web |title=Feel the Power - Wesley Willis |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/feel-the-power-mw0000648886 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=AllMusic}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/wesley-willis-dies-20030822 |title=Wesley Willis Dies |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 22, 2003 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001181118/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/wesley-willis-dies-20030822 |url-status=dead }} Billy Corgan revealed that the song "Bleeding The Orchid" from the Smashing Pumpkins' 2007 album Zeitgeist has a bit of a homage to Alice in Chains in the harmonies and was indirectly inspired by the death of Staley.{{Cite web|url=http://spfreaks.com/track/bleeding-the-orchid/|title=Bleeding The Orchid|website=SPfreaks|access-date=May 31, 2020}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=435704 |title=Corgan Talks New Pumpkins Art, Inspirations |date=July 6, 2007 |website=Friday Morning Quarterback |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708162701/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=435704 |archive-date=July 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 26, 2018}}

Elton John stated that he is a fan of Alice in Chains and a big admirer of Cantrell.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/elton-john-joins-alice-in-chains-new-album-to-honor-layne-staley-20090811|title=Elton John Joins Alice in Chains' New Album to Honor Layne Staley|date=August 11, 2009|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=September 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919144322/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/elton-john-joins-alice-in-chains-new-album-to-honor-layne-staley-20090811|url-status=dead}} According to Jon Wiederhorn of MTV, Godsmack has "sonically followed Alice in Chains' lead while adding their own distinctive edge." Godsmack singer and founder Sully Erna has also cited Staley as his primary influence.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBtiIA4YzlY&t=8m59s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/bBtiIA4YzlY| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=GODSMACK INTERVIEW: FACELESS (Part 1) |date=May 3, 2007 |via=YouTube |access-date=May 22, 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453568/20020423/alice_in_chains.jhtml |title=MTV.com – "'He Got Me To Start Singing': Artists Remember Layne Staley" |access-date=November 8, 2007 |author1=D'Angelo, Joe |author2=Vineyard, Jennifer |author3=Wiederhorn, Jon |date=April 22, 2002 |publisher=MTV | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071001103909/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453568/20020423/alice_in_chains.jhtml| archive-date= October 1, 2007 | url-status= dead}} Godsmack was named after the Alice in Chains song "God Smack" from the album Dirt.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0yuxiKV6zU| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/P0yuxiKV6zU| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Godsmack Got Their Name From The Alice In Chains' Song | website=YouTube| date=April 5, 2018|access-date=May 22, 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=https://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/G/Godsmack/2006/06/18/1639165.html|title=The music and magic of Godsmack|work=Canoe.com|date=June 18, 2006|access-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122190335/https://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/G/Godsmack/2006/06/18/1639165.html|archive-date=November 22, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/02/02/alt-metal-godsmack-to-smack-into-hard-rock-live-in-march/|title=Alt-metal Godsmack To Smack Into Hard Rock Live In March|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=February 2, 2001|access-date=May 22, 2018|archive-date=May 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511143251/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2001-02-02/entertainment/0102010491_1_daytona-international-speedway-daytona-beach-african-children-choir|url-status=live}} Staind has covered Alice in Chains' song "Nutshell" live, which appears on the compilation The Singles: 1996-2006, and also wrote a song entitled "Layne", dedicated to Staley, on the album 14 Shades of Grey.{{cite magazine |author=Snierson, Dan |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/04/06/layne-staley-gets-born-again/ |title=Layne Staley gets Born Again |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 7, 2004 |access-date=January 6, 2007 |archive-date=January 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125013128/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,631523,00.html |url-status=live }} Three Days Grace also performs a cover of "Rooster", which can be seen on the DVD Live at the Palace. Other bands that have been influenced by Alice in Chains include 10 Years,{{cite web|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2012/10/25/10-years-jesse-hasek/|title=10 Years Singer Jesse Hasek Discusses Being Raised in the Church, His Unlikely Career (INTERVIEW)|first=Chris|last=Epting|website=Noise Creep|date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2012}} Avenged Sevenfold,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/avenged_sevenfold/related_artists.jhtml?influencedBy=true |title=Avenged Sevenfold | Related Artists | Discover New Music |publisher=MTV |access-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805023628/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/avenged_sevenfold/related_artists.jhtml?influencedBy=true |archive-date=August 5, 2011}} Breaking Benjamin,{{cite web |title=Breaking Benjamin - Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/breaking-benjamin-mn0000934367/related |access-date=May 25, 2013 |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi corporation}} Bush,{{cite news |title=Gavin Rossdale On His Special Bond With Alice In Chains & Jerry Cantrell |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnZIknYMhyc |access-date=May 12, 2024 |work=iHeartRadio |publisher=YouTube |date=February 4, 2024}} Creed,{{cite magazine| last1=Erlewine | first1=Stephen Thomas | last2=Prato | first2=Greg |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=alice in chains|bio=true}} |title=Alice in Chains Biography |magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | access-date=March 30, 2012}} Dallas Green,{{Cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/12/03/city-and-colour-green-reveals-five-key-influences/rsDGyhkYDpoKKye3Kg5DDI/story.html |title=City and Colour's Green reveals Five Key Influences |last=Cummings-Grady |first=Mackenzie |date=December 5, 2015 |website=Boston Globe}} Days of the New, Disturbed,{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Arts-and-Culture/Music/The-hazan-who-became-Disturbed|title=The hazan who became disturbed|first=Davd|last=Brinn|date=January 2, 2011|work=The Jerusalem Post}} Hoobastank,[https://web.archive.org/web/20150808073656/http://www.mtv.com/artists/hoobastank/related-artists/?filter=influencedBy Artist Influences For Hoobastank] MTV Incubus,{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/incubus-singer-brandon-boyd-talks-influences-at-musicians-institute/ |title=Incubus Singer Brandon Boyd Talk Influences at Musicians Institute |website=Loudwire |date=March 7, 2012}} Korn,{{cite web |url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/alice-in-chains-stories-from-korn-slipknot-zakk-wylde-device-five-finger-death-punch-mad-season-and-more/10446664 |title=Alice In Chains Stories from Korn, Slipknot, Zakk Wylde, Device, Five Finger Death Punch, Mad Season, and More |publisher=Artistdirect |date=April 1, 2013 |last=Florino |first=Rick |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404010544/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/alice-in-chains-stories-from-korn-slipknot-zakk-wylde-device-five-finger-death-punch-mad-season-and-more/10446664 |url-status=dead }} Manic Street Preachers,{{cite news |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |title=Nicky Wire tells us about the Manics' 'Gold Against The Soul' reissue: "It's a strange and curious record" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nicky-wire-manic-street-preachers-gold-against-the-soul-reissue-its-a-strange-and-curious-record-2623673 |access-date=November 1, 2020 |work=NME |date=March 11, 2020}} Mudvayne,{{cite web |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/argusleader/access/1690951961.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+29%2C+2009&author=Bryann+Becker&pub=Argus+Leader&desc=RADIO+HAS+HELPED+THE+GROUP+FIND+ITS+PLACE+IN+THE+METAL+MUSIC+GENRE&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216170920/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/argusleader/access/1690951961.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+29,+2009&author=Bryann+Becker&pub=Argus+Leader&desc=RADIO+HAS+HELPED+THE+GROUP+FIND+ITS+PLACE+IN+THE+METAL+MUSIC+GENRE&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2013 |title=Radio Has Helped The Group Find Its Place In The Metal Music Genre |publisher=Pqasb.pqarchiver.com |date=January 29, 2009 |access-date=March 11, 2013 }} Nickelback, A Pale Horse Named Death,{{cite web|url=http://www.therocktologist.com/a-pale-horse-named-death-interview.html|title=Interview with Sal Abruscato of A Pale Horse Named Death|publisher=The Rocktologist|access-date=April 28, 2013}} Puddle of Mudd, Queens of the Stone Age,{{cite web |title=Queens of the Stone Age - Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/queens-of-the-stone-age-mn0000376422/related |access-date=May 25, 2013 |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation}} Rains,{{Cite web |url=http://audioinkradio.com/2012/04/rains-singer-alice-in-chains-soundgarden-tool-influences/ |title=Rains Singer Counts Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Tool as Influences |date=April 4, 2012 |website=Audio Ink Radio |access-date=May 3, 2018}} Seether,{{cite web|url=http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/seether-feels-the-cold/778217|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504012746/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/seether-feels-the-cold/778217|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2018|title=Seether feels the cold|work=FasterLourder|date=July 18, 2006|access-date=May 2, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=58368610&itype=CMSID

|title=Concert preview: Seether adds melody to the metal|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 9, 2014|access-date=May 2, 2018}} Skunk Anansie,{{cite book |author1=Skin |last2=O'Brien |first2=Lucy |title=It Takes Blood and Guts |date=2020 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location=London |isbn=9781471194931 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oebNDwAAQBAJ |access-date=May 12, 2024}} Smile Empty Soul,{{Cite web |url=http://www.fredericksburg.com/featuresit/smile-empty-soul-chats-with-it-about-bush-musical-influences/article_7508376f-841e-5923-b5d0-8bf3c5812a48.html |title=Smile Empty Soul chats with it! about Bush, musical influences and dad |date=March 25, 2004 |website=Fredericksburg.com |access-date=May 3, 2018}} Stone Sour,{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_2816000/2816203.stm |title=Stonesour: full interview |date=March 3, 2003 |publisher=BBC |access-date=May 3, 2018}} Tantric, Taproot,{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458234/taproots-second-album-is-really-their-third-kind-of/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109221152/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458234/taproots-second-album-is-really-their-third-kind-of/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |title=Taproot's Second Album Is Really Their Third ... Kind Of |date=October 18, 2002 |website=MTV News |access-date=May 3, 2018}} and Theory of a Deadman.{{Cite web |url=http://canadianbeats.ca/2014/08/13/interview-theory-of-a-deadman/ |title=Interview – Theory of a Deadman |date=August 13, 2014 |website=Canadian Beats |access-date=May 3, 2018}} Metallica said they have always wanted to tour with the band, citing Alice in Chains as a major inspiration for their 2008 release, Death Magnetic.{{cite magazine |title=Metallica: Metal Machines (Louder Faster Stronger) |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 2008 |pages=58–67}}

Alice in Chains has also had a significant influence on modern heavy metal. Their songs were covered by various metal bands such as In Flames,{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/in-flames-covers-depeche-mode-alice-in-chains-nine-inch-nails-on-down-wicked-no-good-ep.html|title=IN FLAMES Covers DEPECHE MODE, ALICE IN CHAINS, NINE INCH NAILS On 'Down, Wicked & No Good' EP|work=Blabbermouth|date=November 17, 2017|access-date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033322/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/in-flames-covers-depeche-mode-alice-in-chains-nine-inch-nails-on-down-wicked-no-good-ep.html|url-status=dead}} Opeth,{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89988 |title=OPETH Covers ALICE IN CHAINS, ROBIN TROWER During New Album Sessions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016083830/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89988 |archive-date=October 16, 2009}} Dream Theater,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBzzkSRW5n0 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126120759/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBzzkSRW5n0| archive-date=January 26, 2012 | url-status=dead|title=Dream Theater - "Would" Alice in Chains Cover |publisher=YouTube |date=September 5, 2006 |access-date=July 14, 2011}} Secrets of the Moon,{{cite web|url=http://thenewreview.net/news/secrets-of-the-moon-post-cover-of-alice-in-chains-them-bones |title=SECRETS OF THE MOON Post Cover Of ALICE IN CHAINS' "Them Bones" |publisher=Thenewreview.net |date=September 19, 2010 |access-date=November 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120220306/http://thenewreview.net/news/secrets-of-the-moon-post-cover-of-alice-in-chains-them-bones |archive-date=November 20, 2012 }} Suicide Silence,{{cite web|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/suicide-silence-cover-alice-in-chains|title=Suicide Silence Cover Alice In Chains|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209023539/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/suicide-silence-cover-alice-in-chains/|archive-date=December 9, 2010}} 36 Crazyfists,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTURHZ8PFcw | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/aTURHZ8PFcw| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=36 Crazyfists - Alice In Chains We Die Young (Cover) Metal Hammer Goes 90s |date=July 26, 2017 |via=YouTube |access-date=May 2, 2018}}{{cbignore}} Cane Hill,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8yOl63Iiow | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/S8yOl63Iiow| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Cane Hill - We Die Young (Alice In Chains Cover) |date=September 14, 2016 |via=YouTube |access-date=May 2, 2018}}{{cbignore}} Ektomorf,{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ektomorf-covers-alice-in-chains-soundgarden-on-new-single/ |title=EKTOMORF Covers ALICE IN CHAINS, SOUNDGARDEN On New Single |date=June 23, 2010 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=May 2, 2018}} Dritt Skitt,{{Cite web |url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2015/04/22/i-dont-mind-this-black-metal-cover-of-alice-in-chains-angry-chair/ |title=I Don't Mind This Black Metal Cover of Alice in Chains' "Angry Chair" |date=April 22, 2015 |website=Metal Sucks |access-date=May 2, 2018}} Grave{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51745 |title=GRAVE Cover ALICE IN CHAINS' 'Them Bones' |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111210449/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51745 |archive-date=January 11, 2012}} and Thou, who described their 2018 EP Rhea Sylvia as "a melodic grunge, Alice in Chains homage."{{Cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1998990/thou-the-changeling-prince/music/album-stream/ |title=Thou – "The Changeling Prince" |last=Nelson |first=Michael |date=May 31, 2018 |website=Stereogum |access-date=January 23, 2019}} In 2009, Anders Fridén of Swedish melodic death metal band In Flames cited Layne Staley as an inspiration for his vocals on the band's later albums.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ludOLGX2t6I&t=196 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/ludOLGX2t6I| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES) - When I Was A Teenage Headbanger |date=July 10, 2009 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} In addition to fellow musicians, the band has also received praise from critics, with Steve Huey calling them "one of the best metal bands of the '90s" upon reviewing the 1999 compilation Nothing Safe.{{cite web |last=Huey |first=Steve |title=Nothing Safe - Alice in Chains |url={{AllMusic|class=album |id=nothing-safe-r422574/review |pure_url=yes}} |access-date=August 17, 2011 |work=AllMusic |publisher=Rovi corporation}}

In 2009, the Vitamin String Quartet released the album The String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains, featuring instrumental versions on viola, violin and cello of 12 of the band's biggest hits.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vitaminstringquartet.com/products/the-string-quartet-tribute-to-alice-in-chains |title=The String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains |date=March 24, 2009 |website=www.vitaminstringquartet.com |access-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-date=November 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118005812/https://www.vitaminstringquartet.com/products/the-string-quartet-tribute-to-alice-in-chains |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=The String Quartet Tribute to Alice in Chains - Vitamin String Quartet |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-vitamin-string-quartet-tribute-to-alice-in-chains-mw0000824381 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |website=AllMusic}}

In August 2015, journalist David de Sola published the biography Alice in Chains: The Untold Story.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-the-untold-story-entire-first-chapter-posted-online/|title='Alice in Chains: The Untold Story': Entire First Chapter Posted Online|website=Blabbermouth|date=August 2, 2015|access-date=September 12, 2019}} An updated version covering the period from 2014 to 2017 was published in November 2018.{{cite web|url=https://daviddesola.com/2018/11/23/alice-in-chains-paperback-edition-is-here/|title=Alice in Chains Paperback Edition Is Here|website=daviddesola.com|date=November 23, 2018|access-date=September 12, 2019}} Neither the band nor their management had any involvement with the book. Sources tied directly to the band were interviewed instead.{{cite web|url=https://daviddesola.com/faq/|title=FAQ – David de Sola|website=daviddesola.com|access-date=September 12, 2019}}

The claymation dolls of the band members used in the music video for "I Stay Away" are on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland, Ohio.{{cite web|title=Memories Are Piling Up For Rock's Hall Of Fame|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19950723/2132843/memories-are-piling-up-for-rocks-hall-of-fame----memories-are-piling-up-for-rocks-hall-of-fame|website=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 5, 2017|date=July 23, 1995|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806100851/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950723&slug=2132843|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://grungebook.tumblr.com/post/86465042335/alice-in-chains-rock-hall-tour-pics |title=Alice in Chains got a private tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland earlier this week |date=May 21, 2014}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Current members

• Jerry Cantrell – lead guitar, lead and backing vocals {{small|(1987–2002, 2005–present)}}, rhythm guitar {{small|(1987–2002, 2005)}}
• William DuVall – rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals {{small|(2005–present)}}
• Mike Inez – bass {{small|(1993–2002, 2005–present)}}, backing vocals {{small|(1993)}}
• Sean Kinney – drums, percussion {{small|(1987–2002, 2005–present)}}; backing vocals {{small|(1989–1990)}}

{{col-2}}

Former members

• Layne Staley – lead vocals, occasional rhythm guitar {{small|(1987–2002; his death)}}
• Mike Starr – bass {{small|(1987–1993)}}; backing vocals {{small|(1987–1990; died 2011)}}

{{col-end}}

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:25

PlotArea = left:90 bottom:80 top:10 right:10

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1987 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1987

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1987

Colors =

id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals

id:lead value:teal legend:Lead_guitar

id:rhythm value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums,_percussion

id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

id:ep value:gray(0.55) legend:EP

LineData =

layer:back color:studio

at:08/28/1990

at:09/29/1992

at:11/07/1995

at:09/29/2009

at:05/28/2013

at:08/24/2018

layer:back color:ep

at:07/01/1990

at:02/04/1992

at:01/25/1994

BarData =

bar:Staley text:"Layne Staley"

bar:DuVall text:"William DuVall"

bar:Cantrell text:"Jerry Cantrell"

bar:Starr text:"Mike Starr"

bar:Inez text:"Mike Inez"

bar:Kinney text:"Sean Kinney"

PlotData =

width:11

bar:Staley from:01/01/1987 till:04/05/2002 color:lvocals

bar:DuVall from:03/10/2006 till:end color:lvocals

bar:DuVall from:03/10/2006 till:end color:rhythm width:3

bar:Cantrell from:01/01/1987 till:04/05/2002 color:lead

bar:Cantrell from:01/01/1987 till:04/05/2002 color:rhythm width:7

bar:Cantrell from:01/01/1987 till:04/01/1992 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Cantrell from:11/01/1991 till:04/05/2002 color:lvocals width:3

bar:Cantrell from:02/18/2005 till:end color:lead

bar:Cantrell from:02/18/2005 till:end color:lvocals width:3

bar:Cantrell from:02/18/2005 till:03/10/2006 color:rhythm width:7

bar:Starr from:01/01/1987 till:01/22/1993 color:bass

bar:Starr from:01/01/1987 till:04/30/1990 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Inez from:01/22/1993 till:04/05/2002 color:bass

bar:Inez from:01/22/1993 till:09/14/1993 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Inez from:02/18/2005 till:end color:bass

bar:Kinney from:01/01/1987 till:04/05/2002 color:drums

bar:Kinney from:12/01/1989 till:04/30/1990 color:bvocals width:3

bar:Kinney from:02/18/2005 till:end color:drums

}}

{{Main|Alice in Chains discography}}

Studio albums

• Facelift (1990)
• Dirt (1992)
• Alice in Chains (1995)
• Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
• The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013)
• Rainier Fog (2018)

{{Clear}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Sister project links|d=Q484255|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|wikt=no|s=no|c=Category:Alice in Chains|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{discogs artist}}
• {{AllMusic|id=alice-in-chains-mn0000007920|label=Alice in Chains}}
• [http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/alice_in_chains/artist.jhtml VH1 Classic: Alice In Chains] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328191957/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/alice_in_chains/artist.jhtml |date=March 28, 2011 }}

{{Alice in Chains|state=uncollapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1987 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:2002 disestablishments in Washington (state)

Category:2005 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:American alternative metal musical groups

Category:American grunge groups

Category:American sludge metal musical groups

Category:Capitol Records artists

Category:Columbia Records artists

Category:EMI Records artists

Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Washington (state)

Category:Kerrang! Awards winners

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2002

Category:Musical groups established in 1987

Category:Musical groups from Seattle

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2005

Category:Musical quartets from Washington (state)

Category:Virgin Records artists