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.
Over Now
Alice in Chains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can breathe somehow
When it's all worn out
I'd rather go without
You know it's been on my mind
Could you stand right there
Look me straight in the eye and say
We pay our debt sometime
Well, it's over now
Yet I can see somehow
When it's all gone wrong
It's hard to be so strong
You know it's been on my mind
Could you stand right there
Look me straight in the eye and say
That it's over now
We pay our debt sometime
Yeah, we pay our debt sometime
We pay our debt sometime
Yeah, we pay our debt sometime
Guess it's over now
I seem alive somehow
When it's out of sight
Just wait and do your time
You know it's been on my mind
Could I stand right here
Look myself in the eye and say
That it's over now
We pay our debt sometime
Yeah, we pay our debt sometime
We pay our debt sometime
Yeah, we pay our debt sometime
The lyrics of Alice in Chains’ song “Over Now” tell the story of a relationship that has come to an end. Despite the heartbreak, the singer acknowledges the relief that comes with finally being able to breathe again. He reflects on the fact that things may have gone wrong between them, but he’d still rather be without than endure a hollow relationship. The chorus repeats the phrase “we pay our debt sometime” as a recognition that every choice has consequences, and that even though it may be painful, it’s necessary to take responsibility for one's actions. The singer asks the other person if they could look him straight in the eye and confirm that it’s really over, implying that he’s seeking closure and the courage to move on.
The verses also convey a sense of resilience and perseverance despite the pain, as the singer is somehow able to see beyond the hurt and keep going. The line “just wait and do your time” suggests that there is a price to pay for every mistake, but it’s necessary to endure it and move forward. The final verse speaks not to the other person but to the singer himself, as he wonders if he could look himself in the eye and acknowledge that it’s really over. The sense of self-reflection and acceptance of personal responsibility suggests that the song is not just about a relationship, but about the process of coming to terms with oneself and the choices that have been made.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, it's over now
The relationship is over and there's no hope for it to work out anymore.
But I can breathe somehow
Although the relationship has ended, the singer is able to cope with it and find a way to move on.
When it's all worn out
The relationship has been through everything and there's nothing left to salvage.
I'd rather go without
It's better to be without the relationship and not rely on it anymore.
You know it's been on my mind
The artist has been pondering on the end of the relationship and what to do about it.
Could you stand right there
The singer wants to confront their ex-partner about the end of the relationship.
Look me straight in the eye and say
The singer is asking their ex-partner to be truthful and direct with them about the end of the relationship.
That it's over now
The artist wants to hear confirmation from their ex-partner that it's truly over between them.
We pay our debt sometime
The artist realizes that there are consequences to their actions and that they will eventually have to pay for them.
Well, it's over now
The relationship has ended and there's no going back.
Yet I can see somehow
Despite the end of the relationship, the singer can see a brighter future for themselves.
When it's all gone wrong
The relationship has taken a turn for the worse and there's nothing left to do except move on.
It's hard to be so strong
It's difficult to cope with the end of a relationship and find the strength to move on.
Guess it's over now
The singer has finally come to terms with the end of the relationship.
I seem alive somehow
Although the relationship is over, the singer feels rejuvenated and alive.
When it's out of sight
When the relationship is no longer visible in the artist's life, they can truly start to move on.
Just wait and do your time
The artist needs to wait for their emotions to settle and just let time take its course.
Could I stand right here
The singer questions whether they have the courage to confront themselves and their own emotions about the end of the relationship.
Look myself in the eye and say
The singer needs to be honest with themselves and confront their own emotions about the end of the relationship.
That it's over now
The artist needs to accept that the relationship is truly over and move forward with their life.
We pay our debt sometime
The artist acknowledges that there are consequences to their actions and that they will eventually have to face them.
Yeah, we pay our debt sometime
The artist repeats that they will have to pay for their actions at some point in the future.
We pay our debt sometime
The singer repeats that there are consequences to their actions and they will have to face them eventually.
Yeah, we pay our debt sometime
The artist repeats that they will have to pay for their actions at some point in the future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Layne Staley, Sean Kinney, Jerry Cantrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Stumbling Chef
Layne had such a great ear for harmonies. Such a powerful voice but could just hang low and blend in with Jerry perfectly. These guys weren’t just rockers, they were true musicians and artists. Nothing will ever come close to Alice In Chains again.
Gropiaf
That's lots of work
Ali
perfectly-rounded group of musicians. layne and jerry took singing to a whole new level. rip layne
John Giddings
What the. Hell was Alice?not grunge not metal?just great
James L
@John Giddings Alice? who the f is Alice!?... R.i.p brother Staley tells it all coincided with Cantrell whenever played..
Leahflower
@John Giddings i believe Alice in Chains was considered doom or sludge metal and were lumped in with the grunge movement which was an invented term anyway. Same when they invented the term punk rock a lot of the bands didn't sound the same, Ramones sounded nothing like the Sex Pistols.
Harley Baldwin
everyone mentions Layne's voice, i would like to point out his ear, this song is a perfect example of when Jerry sings the lead, and Layne's ability to instantly harmonize with him is what made this band so fucking special....once in a lifetime pairing of voices...hands down the most talented of the Seattle bands....and this unplugged is a masterpiece
Anna L. Vajda
I really like Jerrys voice I tend to like lots of the songs he sings lead on no disrespect to Layne just the ear likes what it likes. I had this album I remember my ex pointed it out to me I listened to more of Jerrys songs.
Leahflower
thats fine but just say they were great or amazing, the second you say the best then you dismiss the mighty chris cornell lol
willyjameshuff
I love these guys but I think soundgarden is hands down the most talented band from Seattle