Although widely associated with grunge music, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal elements. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released five studio albums, three EPs, three live albums, four compilations, two DVDs, 31 music videos and 29 singles. The band is known for its distinctive vocal style, which often included the harmonized vocals between Staley and Cantrell (and later between Cantrell and William DuVall). Cantrell started to sing lead vocals on the 1992 acoustic EP Sap, and his role continued to grow in the following albums, making Alice in Chains a two-vocal band.
Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, along with other Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. The band was one of the most successful music acts of the 1990s, selling over 20 million records worldwide, and over 14 million records in the US alone, with two No. 1 albums and six Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart. The band has had 16 Top 10 songs on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, 5 No. 1 hits, and nine Grammy Award nominations. Their debut album, Facelift, featuring the hit single "Man In The Box", was released in 1990 and has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA, selling over two million copies. In 1992, the band's second album, Dirt, was released to critical acclaim and was certified quadruple platinum. Their second acoustic EP, Jar of Flies, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1994, becoming the first ever EP and first Alice in Chains release to top the charts, and it has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA. The band's third album, Alice in Chains debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 1995 and has been certified double platinum.
Although never officially disbanding, Alice in Chains was plagued by extended inactivity from 1996 onwards due to Staley's substance abuse, which resulted in his death in 2002. The band reunited in 2005 for a live benefit show, performing with a number of guest vocalists. They toured in 2006, with William DuVall taking over as lead vocalist full-time. The new line-up released the band's fourth studio album, Black Gives Way to Blue, in 2009, which received gold certification by the RIAA and two Grammy nominations. Their fifth studio album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, was released in 2013 and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The band toured extensively and released several videos in support of these albums.
Their sixth studio album, Rainier Fog, would be released in 2018, through BMG records, making it their first big release on the new label. Rainier Fog would end up debuting at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, making it yet another powerful addition to the band's already impressive discography.
Although Alice in Chains has been labeled grunge by the mainstream media, 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". 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."
Over the course of their career, the band's sound has also been described as alternative metal, sludge metal, doom metal,drone rock, hard rock, and alternative rock. 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!". Drummer Sean Kinney rejects the grunge label, stating in a 2013 interview "I mean, before we first came out there was no grunge, they hadn’t invented that word. Before they invented the word grunge we were alternative rock and alternative metal and metal and rock, and we didn’t give a shit whatever, we were a rock and roll band!". According to Mike Inez, they were always the metal stepchildren of the Seattle scene.
Jerry Cantrell's guitar style combines "pummeling riffs and expansive guitar textures" to create "slow, brooding minor-key grinds". 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". 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.
Last of my Kind
Alice in Chains Lyrics
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I come to you in painted skies
You're broken, taint your ancient story
The living challenge to their lies
Trapped in the cold outside
There ain't no shelter
And they want to force my hand
And break all their lies
And defeat the fucking liars
Smash all the temples
And crawl through the rubble
And cry to the fallen
I'm the last of my kind still standing
I'm the last of my kind still standing down the law
Oh, from out upon the hillside
I am but what they've thrown away
I go to sleep behind the eight ball
I live to fight for one more day
I'm trapped in the cold outside
There ain't no shelter
And they want to force my hand
Until I take what I wanted
And break all their lies
And defeat the fucking liars
Smash all the temples
And crawl through the rubble
And cry to the fallen
Take what I wanted
And break all the lies
And defeat the fucking liars
Smash all the temples
And crawl through the rubble
And cry to the fallen
I'm the last of my kind still standing
I'm the last of my kind still standing down the law
I'm the last of my kind still standing
I'm the last of my kind still standing down the law
The last of my kind still standing
The last of my kind still standing
The lyrics of Alice in Chains's "Last of my Kind" is a powerful commentary on being an outsider who is forced to fight for survival in a world that is hostile and unforgiving. The lyrics start with the singer acknowledging that they are not like those around them, a young and unholy individual who has arrived with painted skies. The singer is aware that they are not the same as those around them and that their story is broken and tainted. The singer is a living challenge to the lies and narrative that those in power create to maintain control. However, despite their defiance, the singer is still an outsider, trapped in the cold outside where there is no shelter. The singer is under immense pressure to conform with those around them and do things their way. However, the singer refuses to be pushed around and bullied by the liars in power, and instead seeks to break all their lies, smash all the temples, and crawl through the rubble to cry to the fallen.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is the last of their kind, the last person who is willing to stand up against the lies and deceit perpetuated by those in power. They are willing to fight to the death to ensure that their voice is heard, that they will not be silenced or controlled. However, the singer is not just a victim, but also a fighter, someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to survive. They are not afraid to take what they want, even if it means fighting against those in power. The lyrics are a powerful commentary on the struggle between those in power and those who refuse to be controlled.
Line by Line Meaning
So young, so brazen, so unholy
Despite my youth, I act boldly and do what many would deem as sinful.
I come to you in painted skies
I arrive with a false exterior, hiding my true intentions.
You're broken, taint your ancient story
You've been hurt and your history has been distorted.
The living challenge to their lies
I represent the living challenge to those who deceive or manipulate others with their lies.
Trapped in the cold outside
I'm stuck in a difficult situation without much hope of help or escape.
There ain't no shelter
I have no protection or refuge from the challenges I face.
And they want to force my hand
Others are trying to manipulate or coerce me into taking a certain action or making a decision.
Until I take what I wanted
I will not relent until I have what I desire or need.
And break all their lies
I will bring an end to the falsehoods that others perpetuate.
And defeat the fucking liars
I will overcome those who deceive or manipulate others.
Smash all the temples
I will tear down the institutions that promote or perpetuate falsehoods.
And crawl through the rubble
I will not be deterred by obstacles or challenges that arise from my actions.
And cry to the fallen
I will mourn those who have suffered because of the lies and deception of others.
I'm the last of my kind still standing
I am the only one left who refuses to give in to the lies and manipulation of others.
I'm the last of my kind still standing down the law
I will stand up to those who wield unjust authority or power over others.
Oh, from out upon the hillside
I emerge from the wilderness or outskirts of society.
I am but what they've thrown away
Society has discarded or disregarded me because of my beliefs or actions.
I go to sleep behind the eight ball
I am at a disadvantage, but I persist even when the odds are against me.
I live to fight for one more day
I continue to struggle for my beliefs or values, even when it seems like there is no hope.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Cantrell, William B. Duvall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josh
on Nutshell
Really would like some prayers guys.