Hands down, Alice In Chains’ Black Gives Way To Blue was the biggest surprise of 2009. The band’s first album in 14 years, and first since the death of Layne Staley, had a lot going against it. Instead, Black Gives Way To Blue not only premiered in the top 10, but turned out to be one of the best albums of the year. So that’s why it’s exciting to hear that after three years, Alice In Chains will be starting work on a new album.
Guitarist Jerry Cantrell confirmed to RollingStone.com during this past year’s Dimebash that the band plans to head back into the studio early this year. As it turns out, Alice In Chains didn’t intend to wait so long, Cantrell’s shoulder surgery delayed matters. Apparently, though, the band has been writing during the entire time. Whether Alice In Chains will have new material complete before the end of 2012 is unclear, but if they produce something as great as Black Gives Way To Blue then we can’t wait to hear it.
