Alice In Chains – Rainier Fog
Release Date: August 24, 2018 via BMG
August 21, 2018
It’s been five years since the last Alice In Chains album. Fans, critics and frankly, even other bands, have been waiting for these legends of rock to release a new album.
They did not disappoint.
AIC has always been idolized for their distinctive and tight vocal harmonies. Prior to his passing, Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell provided game changing harmonies and lyrical content. Today, Cantrell and William DuVall carry on with that legacy.
Another piece to the AIC puzzle are the extraordinary guitars. Cantrell has taken his already explosive guitar-riff catalog to a new level.
A few songs had me wishing I could turn up the speakers even more without blowing them. The title track Rainier Fog, gave me the We Die Young goose bumps but Cantrell takes it to another level. This song had me grooving on it something fierce.
Drone has the classic Dirt-esque sound to it. Cantrell walks you up and down the fret board with an in your face guitar. His tone is mesmerizing. But the most bitchin’ guitar moment comes from the super dark, So Far Under. A little less than two minutes in, you get the mind bending payoff.
I also want to acknowledge some terrific acoustic guitar work on Fly and Maybe. Either track would make a worthy single. AIC has a unique way of mixing in these acoustic guitars while still delivering a heavy overall tone. It really is something special to witness.
Bassist Mike Inez shines throughout the entire record but his bass tone on Never Fade is boss. All I Am will remind you why he is so vital to the bands sound. The drop tuned sound of his bass on that one is so thick and crucial to the track. He just seems to get it right on every single song.
The drums on this record: Exactly the way I like drums to sound. Cracking snare and shimmering brass. The kick feels heavy and I couldn’t be happier with it. Drummer Sean Kinney always produces a strong drum track and this album is no exception. The hanging snare on Fly is a nice touch and lets the song breath. His hi-hat and tom work sits so perfectly in the mix it could almost get missed. If you did happen to miss it, go back and listen again. There’s some amazing work on this album.
The sum of these parts – so silky smooth. I only wish I was able to get a mix down of the isolated vocals AND a mix down of just the instrumentals, separately. It’s one of those rare albums that makes me feel this way.
Rainier Fog marks a return to the same studio where they recorded their 1995 self titled album, Alice In Chains. Studio X (then known as Bad Animals) is a Seattle based studio. Alice in Chains was clearly inspired by their hometown, naming the Rainier Fog album in tribute of the Emerald City. The band also spent time at Henson Recording Studio in Los Angeles as well as album producer, Nick Raskulinecz’s studio, in Nashville. The album was mixed by Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Tool). Both Nick and Joe should feel very proud of their work and they seem likely to be rewarded, come award time.
Alice In Chains has put out an album here that doesn’t disappoint. Regardless if you are a longtime fan or a new fan of the band, we should all be thankful that these guys are still making records and putting out high quality rock.
Now go listen. And enjoy!
4 out of 5 stars
-Tommy Marz
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Rainier Fog Track Listing:
01. The One You Know
02. Rainier Fog
03. Red Giant
04. Fly
05. Drone
06. Deaf Ears Blind Eyes
07. Maybe
08. So Far Under
09. Never Fade
10. All I Am
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