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.
Sickman
Alice in Chains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thousand eyes, a fly
Lucky then I'd be
In one day deceased
Sickman, sickman, sickman
I can feel the wheel, but I can't steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
In this sick world of mine
What the hell am I?
Leper from inside
Inside wall of peace
Dirty and diseased
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman
I can see the end is getting near
I won't rest until my head is clear
Ah, what's the difference, I'll die
In this sick world of mine
Yeah, though I walk through the valley of rape and despair
Can you see the end?
Choke on me my friend
Must to drown these thoughts
Purity over rot
Ah, ah, ah
What the hell am I?
Worn eroded pride
Saddened ten miles wide
I'm gonna let it slide
Sickman, Sickman, sickman, sickman
I can feel the wheel but I can't steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
Ah, what's the difference I'll die
Oh, in this sick world of mine
Ah, ah, ah
The song "Sickman" by Alice in Chains is a reflection of the internal struggles and turmoil of the lead vocalist, Layne Staley. The opening lines are a portrayal of disorientation and confusion, as he questions his existence and compares himself to a fly with a thousand eyes. He then continues to ponder the idea of death and how it may be a fortunate end to his inner suffering. The repetition of the word "Sickman" throughout the chorus emphasizes the theme of illness and mental health issues affecting his psyche. Staley also talks about his inability to control his thoughts and how they become his biggest fear, leading him to the brink of despair.
The second verse reiterates the idea of being a "Sickman" on the inside and how it has affected his life, as he feels like a leper, diseased and dirty. He notes how he can see the end approaching, but he won't find rest until his head is clear. The bridge of the song is an explicit reference to the biblical passage of Psalm 23:4, where the author writes about walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Staley uses the imagery to describe his pain as a suffocating experience where he feels like he is choking.
Overall, "Sickman" is a poignant and introspective song that delves into the complex and often misunderstood world of mental illness. It's a cry for help and an honest portrayal of what it's like to struggle with one's demons.
Line by Line Meaning
What the hell am I?
Asking the existential question of one's own identity and purpose.
Thousand eyes, a fly
Feeling insignificant and unnoticed in the grand scheme of things.
Lucky then I'd be
Expressing the desire to not exist in this state of misery any longer.
In one day deceased
Wishing for a quick and painless escape from this life.
Sickman, sickman, sickman
Repeating the self-denigrating label of being sick and diseased.
I can feel the wheel, but I can't steer
Feeling powerless and unable to control one's own thoughts and actions.
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
Battling with one's own mind and the destructive thoughts it creates.
Ah, what's the difference, I'll die
Giving up on life and accepting the inevitability of death.
In this sick world of mine
Acknowledging the negative and unsettling nature of one's surroundings and experiences.
Leper from inside
Feeling isolated and rejected by society due to one's internal struggles.
Inside wall of peace
Having a protective barrier of inner peace that is slowly deteriorating.
Dirty and diseased
Feeling unclean and unwell, both physically and mentally.
I can see the end is getting near
Recognizing the inevitability of one's own demise and that it's coming soon.
I won't rest until my head is clear
Striving for clarity and peace of mind despite the difficulties.
Though I walk through the valley of rape and despair
Metaphorically describing a journey through a desolate and brutal landscape, emphasizing the bleakness of existence.
Can you see the end?
Asking if someone else can see the same mortality that the artist feels.
Choke on me my friend
Suggesting that the artist's own suffering and pain should be enough to make others understand their plight.
Must to drown these thoughts
Describing the need to escape from one's own mind and the overwhelming thoughts that plague them.
Purity over rot
Choosing to uphold one's own moral and ethical standards, even when faced with decay and corruption.
Worn eroded pride
Having one's self-esteem and self-worth slowly deteriorate over time due to emotional turmoil.
Saddened ten miles wide
Feeling an immense sense of depression and unhappiness that is difficult to overcome.
I'm gonna let it slide
Giving in to the negative emotions and allowing them to continue without trying to fight or suppress them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MikeysMorgue
@Cthulhu Awaken Here are my top 10 favorite bands of all time. And I'll list a bunch of other bands/artists I really enjoy:
- Metallica
- Alice In Chains/Jerry Cantrell
- Pink Floyd
- Led Zeppelin
- Megadeth
- Nirvana
- The Red Hot Chili
Peppers
- Black Sabbath
- Scorpions
- UFO
These bands/artists are awesome, too:
- The Beatles
- Ozzy
- Dio
- Deep Purple
- Pantera
- Down
- Guns N' Roses
- The Rolling Stones
- Van Halen
- The Misfits
- Danzig
- Type O Negative
- Aerosmith
- Foo Fighters
- Deftones
- Queensryche
- Anthrax
- Testament
- Slayer
- Exodus
- Soundgarden/Chris Cornell
- The Smashing Pumpkins
- Gojira
- Mastodon
- Corrosion Of Conformity
- Judas Priest
- Sodom
- Kreator
- Obituary
- Marilyn Manson
- Jimi Hendrix
- Diamond Head
- Thin Lizzy
- Cinderella
- Def Leppard
- 70s KISS
- Boston
- Suicidal Tendencies
- The Cult
- The Cure
- Oasis
- Pat Travers
- Billy Idol
- Tom Petty
- Genesis
- Fleetwood Mac
- Michael Jackson
- Prince
- Depeche Mode
@crunchysugar
Lyrics from genius:
[Intro]
Yay!
[Verse 1]
What the hell am I, thousand eyes, a fly?
Lucky then I'd be in one day deceased
[Refrain]
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman
[Pre-Chorus]
Ah!
I can feel the wheel but I can't steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
[Chorus]
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh, ah, what's the difference, I'll die
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh, oh, in this sick world of mine
[Interlude]
Yay!
[Verse 2]
What the hell am I, leper from inside?
Inside wall of peace, dirty and diseased
[Refrain]
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman
[Pre-Chorus]
Ah!
I can see the end is getting near
I won't rest until my head is clear
[Chorus]
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh, ah, what's the difference, I'll die
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh, oh, in this sick world of mine
[Bridge]
Can you see the end?
Choke on me, my friend
Must to drown these thoughts
Purity over rot
"Yeah, though I walk through the valley of rape and despair
With head high and eyes alert
I tread on a plane of many
We who are of good nature and intention
But cannot touch on the dark
Recesses of memory
And pain learned, so come walk
With me, feel the pain
And release it"
[Guitar Solo]
Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh
Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh
[Interlude]
Yay!
[Verse 3]
What the hell am I, worn eroded pride?
Saddened 10 miles wide, I'm gon' let it slide
[Refrain]
Sickman, sickman, sickman, sickman
[Pre-Chorus]
Ah!
I can feel the wheel but I can't steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
[Chorus]
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh, ah, what's the difference, I'll die
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh, oh, in this sick world of mine
[Outro]
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh, ah
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh
Ahh-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ahh-ah-ah-ahh, ah
Ahh-ah-ah-ah-ahh
@gamewizardks
This part is the most beautiful part of this song and I'm not just talking about the lyrics. Also the music.
Can you see the end?
Choke on me, my friend
Must to drown these thoughts
Purity over rot
"Yeah, though I walk through the valley of rape and despair
With head high and eyes alert
I tread on a plane of many
We who are of good nature and intention
But cannot touch on the dark
Recesses of memory
And pain learned, so come walk
With me, feel the pain
And release it"
@wyattatm6989
"Sickman"
Yay!
What the hell am I?
Thousand eyes, a fly
Lucky then I'd be
In one day deceased
Sickman,
Sickman,
Sickman,
Sickman
Ahh!
I can feel the wheel,
But I can't steer
When my thought become
My biggest fear
Ah-ah, what's the difference, I'll die
Ah-ah, in this this sick world of mine
Get it
What the hell am I?
Leper from inside
Inside wall of peace
Dirty and diseased
Sickman,
Sickman,
Sickman,
Sickman
Ahh!
I can see the end
Is getting near
I won't rest until
My head is clear
Ah-ah, what's the difference, I'll die
Ah-ah, in this sick world of mine
Yeah, thought I walk through
The valley of rape and despair
(Yeah, though I walk through)
(The valley of rape and despair)
Can you see the end?
Choke on me, my friend
Must to drown these thoughts
Purity over rot
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
Yay!
What the hell am I?
Worn eroded pride
Saddened ten miles wide
I'm gonna let it slide
Sickman,
Sickman,
Sickman,
Sickman
Ahh!
I can feel the wheel,
But I can't steer
When my thoughts become
My biggest fear
Ah-ah, what's the difference, I'll die
Ah-ah, in this sick world of mine
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
@theMenace985
This is one of their best songs IMO, the verses are so powerful and that chorus and middle section take me to another planet... I love these visualizers, so sick.
@TheStepmonkey
Yea and to imagine they created a harmony like that in 1992, back when rock music was totally different. They really were ahead of their time.
@dragons_red
Agreed. So off the wall yet so powerful and beautiful...
@arvinbrinas8732
Yeah,
@frealvincentvega
On that planet now
@theMenace985
@Vincent Vega I'm always there these days
@ifraggedonce4656
This is the darkest, most stunningly accurate representation of drug withdrawal in the form of song. Every sound and word and their delivery in this track is exactly how hopeless withdrawal with zero resources feels. If you know you know
@zarnold1995
Damn bro, I can only imagine. Hope your safe brother!
@andrewjensen7413
@Zac your can only understand if have lived with the Hell it is. I don't recommend try it stay away from hard Drugs
@user-bb3je8il1c
I love their music when I was younger and now I understand it ,now that I have lived through it, God grant me the serenity and God bless you all and your family