Reading Time: 2 min read

4 out of 5 stars

Alice in Chains, Rainier Fog [Photo Credit: BMG Rights Management]Iconic rock band Alice in Chains returns with “Never Fade,” the third single from their highly-anticipated sixth studio album, ‘Rainier Fog.’

After a five-year hiatus, iconic grunge-/hard-rock band Alice in Chains made a comeback in 2018. It all began with the stellar “The One You Know”, a record which earned a spot on The Musical Hype’s 50 Best Songs of 2018 (So Far) (#11 to be exact). Things got even more triumphant with the announcement of their sixth studio album, Rainier Fog, which welcomed a second, worthwhile single, “So Far Under”. As the release of Rainier Fog inches closer, AIC drops a third advance single, “Never Fade,” which maintains consistency and pleasantry.

“Never Fade” is turned-up from the beginning – understatement. The record is energetic, featuring jagged guitars and a good ole minor key.  The opening guitar riff, which recurs throughout the record, is sick.  The verses tend to be a slightly more dissonant than the eventual chorus.  No, it’s nothing too crazy, but the vocal production incorporates a quirky, slightly off-kilter lead vocal harmonization, not to mention the underlying harmonic progression, which theoretically, resolves incorrectly. Okay, that was a lot to take in, but everything feels “right as rain” on the highly effective, memorable chorus.

“Never fade / I know you think you’re someone I forgot / Never fade / I’m everything you really think I’m not / Never fade / I know you think you’re someone I forgot / Never fade.”

Beyond the verses and choruses, there’s a sick, souped-up electric guitar solo.  The shredding hearkens back to the 90s grunge sound, sigh.


Final Thoughts 

Yeah, I gave some totally long-winded analysis, but just know that “Never Fade” ‘never fades’ – it rocks.

4 out of 5 stars


Alice in Chains • Rainier Fog • BMG Rights Management • Release: 8.24.18
Photo Credit: BMG Rights Management

the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

1 Comment

Alice in Chains, Rainier Fog | Album Review - The Musical Hype · September 1, 2018 at 11:25 pm

[…] “Never Fade” is turned-up from the beginning – understatement. The record is energetic, featuring jagged guitars and a good ole minor key.  The opening guitar riff, which recurs throughout the record, is sick.  The verses tend to be a slightly more dissonant than the eventual chorus.  No, it’s nothing too crazy, but the vocal production incorporates a quirky, slightly off-kilter lead vocal harmonization, not to mention the underlying harmonic progression, which theoretically, resolves incorrectly. Everything feels “right as rain” on the highly effective, memorable chorus. […]

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