Jerry Cantrell, Photo Courtesy: Spotify
On Friday, October 18th, 2024, the lead guitarist, songwriter, co-lead vocalist, and frontman of the Seattle Grunge/Alternative Metal Legends Alice In Chains, Jerry Cantrell, just released his fourth studio album titled I Want Blood. It is his first major release since his 2021 release: Brighten. Before this release, he released three singles earlier this year to promote the album: “Vilified”, in July, “Afterglow” in September, and “I Want Blood” in October.
The opening track, “Vilified” is an excellent opener, featuring the signature doomy alternative metal sound and riffing that Cantrell is often known for playing on AIC. It is a very dark track featuring intense lyrics that set the tone for the rest of the album. The second track “Off the Rails” is another great track that continues the alternative metal sound, and it sounds like it could have been featured on Black Gives Away The Blue due to the somberness of the track. The third track, “Afterglow”, is a heavy alternative song that features some of Jerry’s best vocal melodies on the album, it’s like “Your Decision” but without the acoustic guitar and more energetic. The self-titled track, “I Want Blood”, is the biggest departure from the classic Alice In Chains/Cantrell style sound-wise because it is a stoner rock song, featuring faster tempos. The fifth track, “Echoes of Laughter” is a heavy alternative track that starts slow, then my favorite part of the track (the bridge) comes by (at 2:57). The song suddenly gets more interesting as Cantrell plays a beautiful guitar solo.
The sixth track “Throw Me a Line” is a great alternative metal track that sounds similar to “Rain When I Die” (but without the doomy riffing) from Dirt in 1992. The seventh track “Let It Lie” is the most doom metal-esque track on the album and features slow tempos, but it is probably my least favorite track on the album. It’s not bad, it’s just not that interesting, especially for Cantrell’s standards. The eighth track “Held Your Tongue” is a great interesting heavy alternative track that sounds like it could be on Cantrell’s 1998 debut Boggy Depot but it also has a bit of an 80s gothic rock influence which made the vocal melodies stand out. The closer “It Comes” is a great moody grunge closer that reflects the solemnness of the album that reminds me of “Acid Bubble” from Black Gives Way to Blue.
Overview: This album is a 9/10 or 4.5/5, due to a combination of Jerry Cantrell’s awesome riffs, moody dark vocal melodies, incredible solos, and lastly his haunting lyrics.
Track List:
1. Vilified - 4:31
2. Of the Rails - 5:26
3. Afterglow - 4:38
4. I Want Blood - 4:22
5. Echoes of Laughter - 5:11
6. Throw Me a Line - 5:01
7. Let It Lie - 5:44
8. Held Your Tongue - 4:46
9. It Comes - 6:29
Total Length: 46:09
Favorite Tracks: “Vilified”, “Of the Rails”, “Afterglow”, “Held Your Tongue”, “Throw Me a Line”, “It Comes”
Least Favorite Tracks: “Let it Lie”
Recommended For: Fans of Grunge/Alternative Metal bands like Alice In Chains and Soundgarden.
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