The 1990s were arguably the most notable time period for modern rock music. Grunge was all the rage, with bands such as Soundgarden and Nirvana dominating the airwaves. But unfortunately, the rise of grunge contributed to the commercial downfall of metal music, with most metal bands at the time either changing their sound or temporarily fading into obscurity. Or both. But out from the Seattle scene came Alice in Chains (or AIC for short), a band who sought out to combine the commercial angst of grunge with the atmosphere and distortion of metal. They were heavier than most, if not all of their grunge contemporaries, providing music heavy enough for metalheads and accessible enough for the grunge/alt-rock fans of the day. Even to this day, they are one the only bands commonly associated with both grunge and metal. AIC was known for their dark, sludgy sound, as well as their moody lyrics, distinct vocal harmonies, and depressing musical atmosphere. Sounds kind of gloomy, doesn’t it? That didn’t stop them from being one of the most successful rock acts of their time.
Things began looking bleak when then-vocalist Layne Staley began suffering from health issues due to his heroin addiction. This forced the band to disband, and all hopes of a reunion were lost when Staley died in 2002 at the very young age of 34. For a while, the band disappeared from the spotlight, but eventually they reunited with a brand new singer, African-American rock vocalist William DuVall. They released “Black Gives Way to Blue”, their first album in 14 years, in 2009. Fans were heavily divided about the album due to Staley’s absence among other minor details, but only days ago, the absolute masterpiece that is “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here” began shutting up detractors for good. Not only is it the best AIC album without Staley, but it may actually be their best ever. The album is a big new chapter in the band’s career; a rebirth.
If you are familiar with AIC’s other work, you should know some of the things to expect. The signature attributes of the band’s music described above are all there. But what makes the album stand out is how well it flows from one song to the next, as well as its melodicism. In other words, it’s familiar yet unique. With the doomy opener “Hollow”, listeners are treated to one of the heavier songs on the album, featuring a thudding sludge riff and a relatively slow tempo. The lyrics, which are easy to understand as no screaming is present on the album, are an introspective about one feeling isolated, as though they have nowhere else to go. It’s not a happy song, but it can be very relatable if you are feeling like the narrator.
“Pretty Done” is the second track, and is easily one of the highlights of the album. The melody is beyond infectious, the tone is perfectly balanced, and is just generally addictive. This is, in some ways, the definitive AIC anthem. Things only get better with “Stone”, which is easily the heaviest song on the entire disc. From there, the album retains a sound that is relatively alternative-sounding, while still maintaining the vibe present by the opening songs. The use of acoustic guitar is prevalent on the album, which makes for a haunting yet beautiful effect.
The title track is one of the most lyrically interesting songs in the band’s entire discography, as well as one of the most thought-provoking rock songs in recent times. The metaphoric title, according to guitarist Jerry Cantrell, refers to religious hypocrisy, with the devil representing the origin of mankind and the dinosaurs representing all living beings. The second half of the album is a little bit softer than the first half, featuring more acoustic passages and less distorted guitars.
Although it is still unmistakably AIC, as stated earlier, there is an element of maturity present in its songwriting that goes to show how experienced the band is. It improves upon every flaw in their earlier output, making for a breathtaking rock experience from beginning to end. As a whole, nothing feels out of place, everything sounds crystal clear, and all elements weave together to prove that this veteran hard rock band is showing no signs of slowing down. If you enjoy their previous albums, or even just rock in general, this should be a no-brainer for you. Don’t dismiss “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here”; you may miss out on one of the most engaging collection of rock anthems of the 2010s.
