Iconic rock band Alice in Chains returns with their highly-anticipated sixth studio album, ‘Rainier Fog.’ The project doesn’t disappoint in the least.

Throughout the years, Alice in Chains has endured a lot – it’s never easy losing your frontman (Layne Staley). There was a fourteen-year gap between studio albums with 1995’s self-titled album and 2009 comeback Black Gives Way to Blue, the first post-Staley album.  Fifth studio album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here arrived four years later.  Despite the lengthy hiatuses between singles and albums, AIC proves it knows how to make an unforgettable impression.  The band definitely doesn’t disappoint on Rainier Fog.

“The One You Know”

Alice in Chains started their impressive comeback after a five-year hiatus with the menacing, rocking “The One You Know”. Enigmatic and foreboding to the nth degree, the collective conjures up some truly ‘off-kilter funk’ instrumentally, carried by hellish, menacing bass and guitars.  There’s clear-cut dissonance, amplifying utter darkness.  The unsettling nature of “The One You Know” makes it alluring. The vocals shine most on the chorus, where there’s more musical consonance and a change of harmonic progression.  If the verse seems to lean on a harmonic vamp, the chorus ‘spreads its wings.’

“Tell me, does it matter / If I’m still here, or I’m gone? / Shifting to the after / An imposter, I’m not the one you know.”

“It reminds me why I even care anymore / You can find me writhing in the ghost of a song / Rising through the Rainier fog.” Following the brilliant “The One You Know” is an elephantine task.  Not so much for “Rainier Fog,” the electrifying title track that deserves its own fair share of praise.  While “Rainier Fog” is more straightforward and less quirky than “The One You Know,” it has a classic vibe that’s utterly refreshing.

“Red Giant” 

“Blowing up like a red giant, expansive, a star / And I’m coming to burn this down and laugh my ass off.” Unique lyrics to say the least. “Red Giant” rolls right along soundly, keeping Rainier Fog dark, yet incredibly endearing.  Okay, maybe ‘endearing’ isn’t the right word, but the ‘old-school’ rock sounds keep on being an awesome gift. The band goes on to “Fly,” a more optimistic-sounding cut compared to the three that precede it.  While there are more major moments as opposed to minor, calling Alice in Chains uplifting or positive is totally an overstatement.  Still, a change of pace from “The One You Know,” “Rainier Fog,” or “Red Giant.”

“Drone”

“Steppin’ in and out of madness / Such a dedicated drone / And though you find me rather tragic / I’ll stay here and feed my pet black hole.” Like “Red Giant,” “Drone” has some truly interesting lyrics. A personal favorite from Rainier Fog, “Drone” incorporates chromaticism, jagged riffs, wailing guitar solos, and reinstates the order of the minor key.  This is a heavy post-grunge record at its finest. “Deaf Ears Blind Eyes” may have a tough act to follow (“Drone” is pretty epic), but maintains the consistency and enjoyable vibe of Rainier Fog.  

“Maybe” is notable change of pace on the album, obvious from the first couple of notes.  Give Alice in Chains credit for offering contrast, particularly with so much blackness characterizing Rainier Fog. Of course, the hellish comes back on “So Far Under”. Notably, AIC seem content to spend the majority of the record hanging and sliding around the tonic minor key (E-flat minor).  There are variations on this ‘vamp,’ as they experiment with chromaticism (half steps), notably the popular lowered second.  A descending progression that breaks away from the vamp, is distinguished by the titular lyrics, “So far under.” Also, there’s instrumental section that modulates a whole step to F minor, before returning home (E-flat minor). Perhaps that’s was more music theory than you asked for, but “So Far Under” is definitely an interesting record.

“Never Fade”

“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.

“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, one of the biggest selling points of Rainier Fog as a whole. The lengthy, relaxed-paced “All I Am” closes things out successfully, without eclipsing the crème de la crème.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Alice in Chains makes an awesome return with Rainier Fog.  If you are looking to relive the greatness of 90s rock and metal, Rainier Fog keeps the spirit alive and well.  Prepare to rock hard!  Could this 53-minute album have existed closer to 40 minutes and been just as successful? Probably, but the band never misses the mark.

Gems: “The One You Know,” “Rainier Fog,” “Drone,” “So Far Under” & “Never Fade”

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

Photo Credit: BMG Rights Management