Black Gives Way to Blue

File:William10.jpg

On February 18, 2005, guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez, and drummer Sean Kinney reunited to perform a benefit concert in Seattle for victims of the tsunami disaster that struck South Asia.{{cite news| author=Hay, Travis |date=February 20, 2005 |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/ae/music/article/Alice-in-Chains-owns-stage-in-tsunami-relief-show-1166879.php |title=Alice in Chains owns stage in tsunami-relief show full of surprises |publisher=Seattlepi.com |access-date=2007-11-25}} It was the band's first live performance since 1996.{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-photos-from-tsunami-benefit-concert-posted-online/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS: Photos From Tsunami Benefit Concert Posted Online |date=February 21, 2005 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=June 14, 2018}} 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=June 10, 2018}} Comes with the Fall vocalist William DuVall made his first public performance with the band during that show singing Alice in Chains' "Rooster".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U07a4-Ja6EM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/U07a4-Ja6EM |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=William Duvall on How He Came to Be In Alice in Chains|publisher=YouTube|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2018}}{{cbignore}} The band followed the concert with a short United States club tour, several festival dates in Europe, 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=June 10, 2018}} DuVall joined Alice in Chains as lead singer during the band's reunion concerts.{{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=June 10, 2018}} DuVall was an old friend of Cantrell's.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/index.ssf/2009/09/no_shortage_of_feelings_for_al.html|title='No shortage of feelings' for Alice in Chains |work=MLive.com|date=September 10, 2009|access-date=June 14, 2018}} They met in Los Angeles in 2000 through a mutual acquaintance, and DuVall's band Comes with the Fall was both the opening act and also Cantrell's backing band during the tour for his second solo album, Degradation Trip, in 2001 and 2002.{{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 10, 2018}}{{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 10, 2018}}

About the reunion concerts, Cantrell stated, "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."

Kinney mentioned in a February 2006 interview that he would be interested in writing new material, but not as Alice in Chains. He explained, "If we found some other dude, I'd love to move on, write some cool tunes and change the name and go on like that. I don't see continuing as Alice and replacing somebody. ... We're not trying to replace Layne. We want to play these songs one more time, and if it seems like the right thing to do, it'll happen. I don't know how long it will go or where it will take us. It's kind of a tribute to Layne and our fans, the people who love these songs. It's not some 'I'm broke and I need the money' situation. We love playing together."

In April 2007, the band's "official blogger", Baldy, posted an update on progress towards the writing of the album, saying that Alice in Chains had been in Los Angeles, California for five days, "sat through three rehearsals and one demo recording session, listened to several other demos" and the new material was "kicking his ass right out of his pants." By March 2008, the band started writing and working together, and that was the start of the new album. According to Kinney, they just wanted to hear what their new music sounded like, as they were at Carmen Miranda's old studio, so they decided to record it. "It’s a very musical place. And everything was so good we decided to record it. It's a tremendous undertaking, but at the end of it I haven’t felt this good about something since we were kids".{{Cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/alice-in-chains-through-the-looking-glass |title=Alice In Chains: "It hurts and you miss them, but you still have to live" |last=Alexander Milas |date=September 16, 2009 |work=Classic Rock |publisher=Louder Sound}} In September 2008, it was reported 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.net |date=2008-09-05 |access-date=2008-06-11 |url-status=dead |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 |df=mdy-all }}

Recording began on October 23, 2008 at the Foo Fighters' Studio 606 in Northridge, California, with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush, Stone Sour, Trivium, Shadows Fall, Death Angel). The band did not have a record label at the time and the album was funded by Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney. In December 2008, they moved into the Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Staley's mother, Nancy McCallum, was supportive of the band's decision to move on and visited them during their recording sessions. Other members of Staley's family were also supportive of the band. Manager Susan Silver said "it was really important that it was OK with them". In April 2009, Cantrell told at the Revolver's Golden Gods Awards Show that Alice in Chains had finished recording the album on March 18, 2009 (his 43rd birthday and also the same day that William DuVall's son was born), and were in the process of mixing it for a September release. Elton John recorded the piano track for the song "Black Gives Way to Blue" in a Las Vegas studio on April 23, 2009.{{Cite web |url=https://savoiaphotography.smugmug.com/Concert-Photography-Galleries/Alice-In-Chains-Pop-Up-Museum-at-The-Crocodile-in-Seattle/i-Zjv8dQx/A |title=Alice In Chains Pop-Up Museum at The Crocodile 8.23.18 |last=Savoia |first=Mike |website=Savoia Photography }}{{cite web |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/alice-in-chains-jerry-cantrell-on-layne-staley-elton-john-and-new-cd-237195|title=Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell on Layne Staley, Elton John and new CD |date=February 10, 2010|work=Music Radar| access-date=August 28, 2019}}

Manager David Benveniste began approaching record labels with a sampling of four or five songs from the new sessions, and the offers started coming from every major label. The band eventually signed with Virgin/EMI.

When Chris Cornell and Susan Silver's then 9-year-old daughter Lily Cornell Silver asked her mother "what does 'Black Gives Way to Blue' mean?", Silver suggested they call her uncle Jerry [Cantrell] and ask him, and Cantrell explained to her:

{{blockquote|Sometimes there are very dark and challenging times in life and it may seem like things will never get better. But if you stay strong and keep moving forward and look out on the horizon, you'll start to see a little point of light way out there. And slowly, the black would give way to blue.{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Chris Cornell's Daughter Lily Cornell Silver Makes Live Debut |url=https://loudwire.com/chris-cornell-daughter-lily-cornell-silver-musical-debut-alice-in-chains/ |website=Loudwire}}}}

On December 1, 2020, Cornell Silver made her musical debut performing the song along with Chris DeGarmo at the MoPOP Founders Award tribute to Alice in Chains following an introduction by her mother.{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=December 3, 2020 |title=Watch Chris Cornell's Daughter Lily Make Her Debut Public Performance, Covering Alice in Chains |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/chris-cornell-daughter-lily-alice-in-chains-watch-video-1234845345/ |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2020 |title=Lily Cornell Silver with Chris DeGarmo - "Black Gives Way To Blue" {{!}} MoPOP Founders Award 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAqS_c56TLE |website=YouTube}}

File:Jerry Cantrell 10.jpg

In April 2009, a blog post from the band expressed the hope that "these songs will strike a chord and make a similar impact on all of you out there that were moved by this band in the first place."{{cite web |url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/76447/alice_in_chains|title=Alice in Chains Complete Work on New Album, Out This September|access-date=2009-04-26|date=2009-04-16|publisher=idiomag}} Kinney said that the music on the album doesn't deviate too far from the band's past music, adding, "It's nice to sound like yourself...It's not really that hard, actually. I know people are blown away that we really sound like ourselves, and I understand the apprehension, but it's not really that big a stretch to sound the way that you sound."{{cite magazine| author=Benson, John |date=2009-07-02 |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268226/alice-in-chains-reunion-gives-way-to-new-album-tour |title=Alice in Chains Reunion 'Gives Way' to New Album, Tour |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2009-07-13}} There are hard rock as well as acoustic songs featured on the album.

Kinney said that there are lyrics on the album that deal with original vocalist Layne Staley. He elaborated, "There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him. And there's a lot to address, with all of that stuff coming to the forefront. A lot has happened since 1995; a lot has happened in our lives and we've never talked about it or discussed it publicly. So some of that is what's addressed here. That's the way we operate, it's about what really happened in life. We're not really the fast cars and chicks songs. It's basically what's happened in life, but a lot has happened since the last record. And it's on this record."

The title track, "Black Gives Way to Blue", was written as a tribute to Staley and features Cantrell on lead vocals and Elton John on piano.{{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 |date=August 11, 2009}}{{cite news |author=Goodman, Dean |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/2009/07/15/alice-in-chains-previews-new-album-in-los-angeles/ |title=Alice in Chains previews new album in Los Angeles |work=Reuters |date=2009-07-15 |access-date=2009-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718124117/http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/2009/07/15/alice-in-chains-previews-new-album-in-los-angeles/ |archive-date=July 18, 2009 |df=mdy-all }} Regarding the lyrics to other specific songs, Cantrell said the first single from the album, "A Looking in View", "basically speaks to any number of things that keep you balled up inside."{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122838 |title=Alice in Chains Announces Tour Dates |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=2009-06-30 |access-date=2009-06-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703060958/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122838 |archive-date=July 3, 2009 |df=mdy }} The second single, "Check My Brain", features lyrics dealing with Cantrell's move from Seattle to Los Angeles in 2003.{{cite news| url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/04/a-studio-visit-with-alice-in-chains.html |title=A studio visit with Alice in Chains |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=April 25, 2009 |access-date=July 4, 2009}} The third single, "Your Decision", contains lyrics about "surviving pain and choosing to live." Cantrell also denied a popular misconception that the song "Private Hell" is about Layne Staley. He stated that the song is in fact about himself breaking up with a girl that he loved a lot and he "wasn't man enough to go through with it". But Cantrell also pointed out that there's a lot of things in the song that aren't specifically about that and other people can relate to.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvRmBr2Oy_0&t=3m3s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/xvRmBr2Oy_0 |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Interview Alice In Chains - Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney (part 6) |website=YouTube |access-date=15 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}

"Last of My Kind" is the only song in the album that features William DuVall singing lead vocals without harmonizing with Cantrell, who only sings back up vocals in the song. DuVall also wrote the lyrics and the melody of the song.{{cite web|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/|website=Consequence of Sound|access-date=August 5, 2017|date=September 29, 2009}}{{cite web|title=Alice in Chains ▶ Black Gives Way to Blue|url=https://allaccessmagazine.com/vol7/issue17/alice-in-chains.html|website=All Access Magazine|access-date=August 5, 2017|date=November 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116095508/http://allaccessmagazine.com/vol7/issue17/alice-in-chains.html|archive-date=November 16, 2016|url-status=usurped|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|title=William Duvall To Sing Lead Vocals On New Alice In Chains Songs|url=http://archive.alternativenation.net/william-duvall-to-sing-lead-vocals-on-new-alice-in-chains-songs/|website=Alternative Nation|access-date=May 22, 2018|date=January 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522231623/http://archive.alternativenation.net/william-duvall-to-sing-lead-vocals-on-new-alice-in-chains-songs/|archive-date=May 22, 2018|df=mdy-all}} DuVall wrote a song called "Tongue Tied" about his friend Sean Costello, who died by suicide in 2008,{{cite web|title=Interview Alice In Chains - William DuVall and Sean Kinney (part 5)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXFvpdCiSzE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/dXFvpdCiSzE |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|access-date=August 10, 2017|date=February 3, 2011}}{{cbignore}} but the song was cut from the album.

Cantrell said about singing lead vocals in the album:

{{blockquote|I had to step up quite a bit more than I ever had. He [Layne Staley] always gave me a lot of confidence to do that, to sing more lead. And you can hear that as the albums progress, I kind of start growing into that role. I attribute a lot of that to the confidence that Layne gave me. Basically, him just saying, ‘Dude, you gotta fucking sing. These songs are your songs, you write all this fucking great material, and it’s not like I don’t like singing ‘em or whatever, but they’re personal to you, you should fucking sing ‘em.’ (laughs) ‘You can do it.’ I’m always forever grateful to him for that. And having some experience touring on my own and doing that, it’s kind of a natural progression to take on a larger role on this record and this incarnation of the band. The cool thing about that is I have William to work together with, and that’s a lot like the band worked together before.{{Cite web |url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2009/09/28/interview-with-jerry-cantrell-alice-in-chains-too-long-on-the-outside/2/ |title=Interview with Jerry Cantrell: Alice In Chains, Too Long On The Outside |last=Slevin |first=Patrick |date=September 28, 2009 |website=The Aquarian |access-date=June 10, 2018}}}}

The album cover art features an anatomical illustration of a heart surrounded by a black and blue background.{{cite web|title=Alice In Chains Reveal 'Black Gives Way to Blue' Artwork|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/alice-chains-reveal-black-gives-way-blue-artwork|website=Guitar World|access-date=August 5, 2017|date=August 14, 2009}} The illustration was made by British designer Matt Taylor.{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Alice-In-Chains-Black-Gives-Way-To-Blue/release/1967575 |title=Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue |website=Discogs |access-date=January 25, 2018}} According to William DuVall, the cover was Sean Kinney's basic concept, but the other members also had a hand in it.{{cite web|title=Alice In Chains Singer William Duvall Discusses Layne Staley & Black Gives Way To Blue

|url=http://aliceinchainschile.blogspot.com/2012/01/entrevista-exclusiva-william-duvall.html |website=Alice in Chains Chile|access-date=May 22, 2018|date=January 28, 2012}} Photos of the band taken by photographer James Minchin III and illustrations designed by Emmanuel Polanco complete the booklet.

Jerry Cantrell explained the album cover in an interview with Billboard in October 2009:

The whole thing with the heart... there wasn't a real intention or a reason. It's just a collection of ideas that we put together. To me, we had our hearts broken by losing Layne and losing ourselves. And also it took a lot of that to get through this process and to even take the chance, and to stand-up and risk. It celebrates his life.{{cite web|title=Alice in Chains "Black" and "Blue"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU39B3IVHig&t=2m50s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/gU39B3IVHig |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|publisher=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2017|date=October 21, 2009}}{{cbignore}}

Guitar manufacturer G&L made a custom Rampage guitar for Cantrell with the artwork for the album cover on the body. The guitar was unveiled in January 2010 on the G&L booth at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.{{Cite web |last=Hodgson |first=Peter |url=http://iheartguitarblog.com/2010/01/namm-2010-jerry-cantrells-gl-rampages.html |title=NAMM '10 - G&L Guitars Jerry Cantrell US Rampage |date=January 22, 2010 |website=I Heart Guitar |access-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-date=July 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702113238/http://iheartguitarblog.com/2010/01/namm-2010-jerry-cantrells-gl-rampages.html |url-status=dead }}

For the opening of their concerts on the Black Gives Way to Blue tour, Alice in Chains used to project the album cover with a heart beating onto the stage's curtain before the band hit the stage.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hg1RWw1YI0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/0Hg1RWw1YI0 |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Alice In Chains In Concert St. Paul MN March 21st 2010 |date=March 22, 2010 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

To help promote the album, on September 17, 2009,{{Cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-black-gives-way-to-blue-epk-available/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS: 'Black Gives Way To Blue' EPK Available |date=September 17, 2009 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=May 22, 2018}} Alice in Chains 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/20211220/-mYbTnLgJsE |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Alice In Chains - EPK Promo |date=September 17, 2009 |website=YouTube |access-date=May 22, 2018}}{{cbignore}}

An app for iPhone was released on October 27, 2009, featuring audio streaming of three songs from the album ("Check My Brain", "A Looking In View" and "Acid Bubble"), the music videos for "Check My Brain" and "A Looking In View", breaking news, photos, tour dates, band bio, discography, fan wall for commenting and access to Alice In Chains merchandise, tickets, web site and band mailing list.{{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}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 69/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/black-gives-way-to-blue/alice-in-chains|title=Black Gives Way To Blue|website=Metacritic}}| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Thomas Erlewine |first=Stephen |title=Alice in Chains > Overview |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=black-gives-way-to-blue-mw0000822308|pure_url=yes}} |work=AllMusic|access-date=2009-10-04}}

| rev2 = The Aquarian Weekly

| rev2Score = A−{{cite news|last=Slevin|first=Patrick|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2009/09/22/alice-in-chains-black-gives-way-to-blue/|title=Alice in Chains: Black Gives Way to Blue|newspaper=The Aquarian Weekly|date=2009-09-22|access-date=2009-09-23}}

| rev3 = BBC

| rev3Score = favorable{{cite web |last=Rauf |first=Raziq |title=Alice in Chains Black Gives Way to Blue Review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/3zgb |publisher=BBC |date=2009-09-09 |access-date=2009-09-12}}

| rev4 = Blabbermouth.net

| rev4Score = 8.5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID%3D1791 |title=Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue |access-date=2009-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003102715/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=1791 |archive-date=October 3, 2009 |df=mdy }}

| rev5 = Drowned in Sound

| rev5Score = 7/10{{cite web |last=Hanscomb |first=Richard |title=Alice in Chains Black Gives Way to Blue Review |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/14697/reviews/4138020 |publisher=Drowned in Sound |date=2009-10-02 |access-date=2009-09-12 |archive-date=October 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004091935/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/14697/reviews/4138020 |url-status=dead }}

| rev6 = Stuff.co.nz

| rev6Score = {{Rating|4|4}}{{cite web |last=Schulz |first=Chris |title=CD review: Black Gives Way to Blue — Alice in Chains |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/2899478/CD-review-Black-Gives-Way-to-Blue-Alice-In-Chains |publisher=Stuff.co.nz |date=2009-09-24 |access-date=2009-09-26}}

| rev7 = Kerrang!

| rev7Score = {{Rating|5|5}}October 13, 2009 (p. 44).

| rev8 = Melodic

| rev8Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web|first=Johan|last=Wippsson|date=August 20, 2010|title=Melodic Net Review: Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue|url=https://www.melodic.net/album/alice-in-chains-black-gives-way-to-blue|access-date=May 23, 2024|website=Melodic}}

| rev9 = Metal Hammer

| rev9Score = 10/10October Issue (2009), pp. 100-101.

| rev10 = Rolling Stone

| rev10Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Hoard |first=Christian |title=Alice in Chains, 'Black Gives Way to Blue' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/black-gives-way-to-blue-20090928 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2009-09-28 |access-date=2009-09-28}}

| rev11 = The Skinny

| rev11Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Kerr |first=Dave |title=Alice in Chains: Black Gives Way to Blue |url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/97067-alice-in-chains-black-gives-way-to-blue |magazine=The Skinny |date=2009-08-25 |access-date=2009-09-12}}

}}

On April 25, 2009, it was reported that the new Alice in Chains album would be released on their new label Virgin/EMI, making it the band's first label change in their 20-plus year career.{{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.net |date=2009-04-25 |access-date=2009-04-25 |url-status=dead |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 |df=mdy-all }} On June 11, 2009, it was announced that the new album would be titled Black Gives Way to Blue and the release date was scheduled for September 29, 2009, the same day that Alice in Chains' second album, Dirt, was released in 1992.{{Cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-new-album-title-release-date-revealed/ |title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Album Title, Release Date Revealed |date=June 11, 2009 |website=Blabbermouth}}{{Cite web |url=http://aliceinchains.com/music/dirt/ |title=Dirt - Alice In Chains |website=aliceinchains.com}}

Alice in Chains revealed their new album publicly at a listening party on July 14, 2009 at the Ricardo Montalbán Theater in Los Angeles. They played the entire LP over the PA system and performed an acoustic set including versions of songs "Your Decision" and "Black Gives Way to Blue". Keyboardist Derek Sherinian guested with the band on this event. Another listening event took place on July 21, 2009 in New York.

The UK magazine Classic Rock awarded the album nine out of ten stars in its review section in September 2009."Review: Black Gives Way to Blue". Classic Rock. September 2009. Metal Hammer magazine awarded the album 10/10 in September while Nigel Britto of The Times of India lauded the album as a "stunner", later going on to describe it as a "huge, huge success".{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/Hot-Picks-today/articleshow/5229872.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025182648/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-14/news-and-interviews/28101391_1_oldies-forte-aic | url-status=live | archive-date=2012-10-25 | author=TOI Crest | work=The Times of India | title=Hot Picks today | date=2009-11-14}}

On June 30, 2009, one of the songs from the album, "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}}{{cite web| url=http://www.radiotangra.com/en/news/read/7955.html

|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: New Song Available Via iTunes, Amazon|publisher=Radio Tangra|date=June 30, 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}} Although it wasn't 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}}{{cite web| url=http://noisecreep.com/alice-in-chains-a-looking-in-view-video/|title=Alice in Chains 'A Looking in View' — VIDEO|website=Noisecreep |date=July 8, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2017}} The music video for "A Looking in View" debuted via Alice in Chains' 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}}

"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=2009-09-11 |access-date=2009-09-13 |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 |df=mdy }}

"A Looking in View" peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and at number 27 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart, and "Check My Brain" peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100, at number 75 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, at number one on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, and Billboard Rock Songs charts, and at number one on the Billboard Hot Alternative Rock Tracks chart.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/267588/chart-beat-wednesday-alice-in-chains-jason-aldean-katy-perry|title=Chart Beat Wednesday: Alice in Chains, Jason Aldean, Katy Perry|magazine=Billboard |date=2009-08-26|access-date=2009-08-26}}

Black Gives Way to Blue debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 126,000 in its first week,Caulfield, Keith and Herrera, Monica (2009-10-07). [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267159/barbra-streisand-surprises-with-ninth-no-1-on-billboard-200 "Barbra Streisand Surprises with Ninth No. 1 on Billboard 200"]. Billboard.com. and entered the UK charts at number 19 on October 5, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/top40_albums.php |title=Top 100 Albums Chart |publisher=theofficialcharts.com |date=2009-10-05 |access-date=2009-10-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102063854/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/top40_albums.php |archive-date=November 2, 2008 |df=mdy }}

To coincide with the band's European tour, Alice in Chains released its next single, "Your Decision", on November 16, 2009 in the UK, and in the US on December 1.{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=128577|title=Alice in Chains to Release 'Your Decision' Single|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=2009-10-12|access-date=2009-10-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015044748/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=128577|archive-date=October 15, 2009|df=mdy-all}} The album's third single debuted on the US Rock Songs chart at number 32,[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=alice in chains|chart=all}} Debut @ Billboard.com]. Retrieved 2009-12-15. and charted at number 1 on the US Rock Songs, at number 1 on the US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and at number 4 on the US Alternative Songs charts.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/mrt/ |title=Alice in Chains "Your Decision" Chart History – Alternative Songs |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 10, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206111147/https://www.billboard.com/music/alice-in-chains/chart-history/alternative-songs/song/625453 |archive-date=February 6, 2018 |df=mdy }}

The third and last single, "Lesson Learned", went to radio on June 22, 2010,{{cite web |url=https://www.theprp.com/2010/05/13/news/alice-in-chains-select-new-single |title=Alice In Chains Select New Single |website=ThePRP.com |date=May 13, 2010 |access-date=June 16, 2019}} and reached number 1 on the US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. The music video for the song premiered on Yahoo! Music on September 22, 2010.{{cite news| url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-lesson-learned-video-released/|title=ALICE IN CHAINS: 'Lesson Learned' Video Released|work=Blabbermouth |date=September 22, 2010|access-date=November 25, 2017}}

Black Gives Way to Blue received Gold certification by the Canadian Recording Industry Association in February 2010, signifying sales of over 40,000 units.{{cite web|url=http://cria.ca/gold/0210_g.php |title=Audio & Video Certifications |access-date=June 10, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019175556/http://cria.ca/gold/0210_g.php|archive-date=October 19, 2010 |df=mdy }} The album was certified Gold by the RIAA, in May 2010,{{cite web

|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=ALICE+IN+CHAINS&ti=BLACK+GIVES+WAY+TO+BLUE |title=Gold and Platinum Database Search |website=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=October 18, 2010}} selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/alice-in-chains-strikes-gold-with-black-gives-way-to-blue/ |title=Alice In Chains Strikes Gold With 'Black Gives Way To Blue' |work=Blabbermouth |date=25 May 2010 |access-date=9 July 2017}}

Black Gives Way to Blue was voted number 2 on Kerrang!{{'}}s Top 20 albums of 2009 list,{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} and on Metal Hammer{{'}}s Top 50 albums of the year list,{{Cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/metal.htm#2009 |title=Metal Hammer Albums Of 2009 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706192100/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/metal.htm#2009 |url-status=usurped }} and number 7 on Kerrang{{'}}s 50 Best Albums From 2009.{{Cite web |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/the-50-best-albums-of-2009/ |title=The 50 Best Albums From 2009 |last=Law |first=Sam |date=July 26, 2019 |website=Kerrang}} The album won the 2010 Revolver magazine Golden Gods Award in the category Album of the Year, beating out Slayer, Mastodon, Megadeth and Heaven and Hell.{{cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/revolver-golden-gods-awards-2010-winners |title=Revolver Golden Gods Awards 2010: The Winners | Latest News |work=Metal Injection |date=April 9, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2012}}

The track "A Looking in View" was the first song from the album that was made available for purchase via digital download in June 2009, and despite not being the first official radio single, Rock stations started playing the song and it peaked at No. 12 on Billboard{{'}}s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains - Chart History|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/alice-in-chains/chart-history/rtt/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2017}} The singles "Check My Brain" and "Your Decision" reached No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, while "Lesson Learned" reached No. 4. "Check My Brain" was also the band's first No. 1 song on the Alternative Songs chart,{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains - Chart History - Alternative Songs|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/278597/alice-chains/chart?f=377|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2017|archive-date=February 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205120509/http://www.billboard.com/artist/278597/alice-chains/chart?f=377|url-status=dead}} and on the Hot Rock Songs chart,{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains - Chart History - Hot Rock Songs|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/278597/alice-chains/chart?f=902|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2017|archive-date=February 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205113743/http://www.billboard.com/artist/278597/alice-chains/chart?f=902|url-status=dead}} and it also reached No. 92 on Billboard{{'}}s Hot 100, becoming the band's first single to appear on the chart.{{cite magazine|title=Alice in Chains - Chart History - Hot 100|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/278597/alice-chains/chart?f=379|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2017|archive-date=October 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009153555/http://www.billboard.com/artist/278597/alice-chains/chart?f=379|url-status=dead}}

More music videos have been released in support of Black Gives Way to Blue than for any previous Alice in Chains release. Videos were released for "A Looking in View",{{YouTube|lr_tyst3SVE}} "Check My Brain",{{YouTube|SZTQ7xlFFA8}} "Your Decision",{{YouTube|M9zhDf_Rp0U}} "Acid Bubble"{{YouTube|adojS5sQNJw}} (which is available as an interactive video on AliceinChains.com),{{cite web |url=http://aliceinchains.com/acidbubble/ |title=Acid Bubble|publisher=AliceInChains.com |access-date=2016-07-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909101414/http://www.aliceinchains.com/acidbubble |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |df=mdy-all }} "Last of My Kind"{{YouTube|gjIIQb7KNFc}} and "Lesson Learned".{{YouTube|gCxm0C_eXxY}} Three of the videos ("A Looking in View", "Acid Bubble", and "Lesson Learned") do not feature the band in any way, which is a first (the music video for "Get Born Again" featured glimpses of the band with images used from previous videos).

An official video for "Private Hell" was published on Alice in Chains' official YouTube channel on September 27, 2019, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Black Gives Way to Blue. The video features behind the scenes footage of the band on studio recording the album between December 2008 and January 2009.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBuxFU-e4zA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/IBuxFU-e4zA |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=Alice In Chains - Private Hell (Official Studio Video) |date=September 27, 2019 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing = Jerry Cantrell, except where noted

| title1 = All Secrets Known

| length1 = 4:42

| title2 = Check My Brain

| length2 = 3:57

| title3 = Last of My Kind

| writer3 = {{hlist|Cantrell|William DuVall}}

| length3 = 5:52

| title4 = Your Decision

| length4 = 4:43

| title5 = A Looking in View

| writer5 = {{hlist|Cantrell|DuVall|Sean Kinney|Mike Inez}}

| length5 = 7:06

| title6 = When the Sun Rose Again

| length6 = 4:00

| title7 = Acid Bubble

| length7 = 6:55

| title8 = Lesson Learned

| length8 = 4:16

| title9 = Take Her Out

| length9 = 4:00

| title10 = Private Hell

| length10 = 5:38

| title11 = Black Gives Way to Blue

| length11 = 3:03

| total_length = 54:12

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Japanese edition bonus track

| title12 = Down in a Hole

| note12 = Live at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre, 7 July 2009

| length12 = 6:46

|total_length = 60:56

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = iTunes edition bonus tracks

| all_lyrics =

| title12 = Black Gives Way to Blue

| note12 = Piano Mix

| length12 = 3:01

| title13 = Your Decision

| note13 = Live

| length13 = 4:48

|total_length = 62:01

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Alice in Chains

• Jerry Cantrell – lead and backing vocals, lead guitar
• William DuVall – co-lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, lead vocals on "Last of My Kind"
• Mike Inez – bass, backing vocals
• Sean Kinney – drums, percussion

;Additional performers

• Elton John – piano on "Black Gives Way to Blue"
• Lisa Coleman – vibraphone on "Black Gives Way to Blue"
• Chris Armstrong – tabla on "When the Sun Rose Again"
• Stevie Black – string arrangement, performance, and engineering on "Your Decision" and "Private Hell"

{{col-2}}

;Production

• Produced by Nick Raskulinecz and Alice in Chains
• Recorded by Paul Figueroa with additional engineering by Nick Raskulinecz, assisted by John Lousteau, Martin Cooke, and Kevin Mills
• Mixed by Randy Staub
• Mastered by Ted Jensen
• Art direction by Alice in Chains & Matt Taylor
• Artwork and design by Matt Taylor
• Band photography by James Minchin III
• Package interior photography by Rocky Schenck
• Illustrations pages 7 & 11 by Emmanuel Polanco
• Management by Velvet Hammer Music and Management Group and Susan Silver Management

{{col-end}}

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2010

| Black Gives Way to Blue

| Album of the Year

| {{won}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/55720/revolver-golden-gods-awards-2010---winners-list-&-photos |title=Revolver Golden Gods Awards 2010 - Winners List & Photos |website=Gigwise.com |date=April 9, 2010 |access-date=June 14, 2018}}

{{end}}

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2010

| "Check My Brain"

| Best Hard Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

|-

| 2011

| "A Looking in View"

| Best Hard Rock Performance

| {{nom}}

{{end}}

{{awards table}}

|-

| rowspan="2" | 2009 || rowspan="2"| Black Gives Way to Blue

| Best Alternative Metal Album

| {{nom}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2009 |title=Metal Storm Awards 2009 |website=Metal Storm}}

|-

| Biggest Surprise

| {{nom}}

{{end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Gold|type=album|artist=Alice in Chains|title=Black Gives Way to Blue|relyear=2009|certyear=2010}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=album|artist=Alice in Chains|title=Black Gives Way to Blue}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.aliceinchains.com/music/black-gives-way-to-blue/ Official website]
• {{AllMusic | class=album | id=mw0000822308}}

{{Alice in Chains}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2009 albums

Category:Alice in Chains albums

Category:EMI Records albums

Category:Virgin Records albums

Category:Doom metal albums by American artists

Category:Sludge metal albums

Category:Albums produced by Nick Raskulinecz