Alice In Chains guitarist, Jerry Cantrell has sat down with Rolling Stone to talk about the progress of their upcoming album. You can read a couple of excerpts from their chat below.
Alice In Chains reemerged on the scene in 2009, with their brilliant album, ‘Black Gives Way To Blue,’ which was dedicated to their late singer, Layne Staley, who passed away from a drug overdose in 2002. Featuring some of the bands best ever songs, as well a guest appearance by legendary singer-songwriter Elton John, the album showed the world that they still meant serious business. Cantrell said that it was a huge honor to work with Elton. “What he is, beyond anything else, is a f***ing amazing musician. And he’s the guy who inspired me to start playing music, so to have him play on one of our records – especially such a meaningful record, where we’re restarting our musical careers and saying goodbye and honoring our buddy – it’s a tremendous thing.”
Though there’s been a bit of a gap between releases, Cantrell says that the band actually started writing material for the new album back in 2010, and that they intend on going back into the studio, early this year. “I had a shoulder surgery. I had to get some bone spurs and torn cartilage taken care of, so that put me back a little bit. But we’ve been writing through the whole process.”
Cantrell went on to say that while Alice In Chains may have moved on since Staley’s untimely death, they continue to work hard to ensure that his legacy will never be forgotten. “Layne’s mother’s been doing a show for Layne every year, and we give to that,” he said. “It’s good to remember your people. Life is very temporary, and we will be joining them shortly. Hopefully, it’s not too soon, but it’s good. It’s some amazing people that should be remembered.”