Alice in Chains Damns that River

1993,The Lollapalooza tour was in Barrie, Ontario at Molson park.  When it came time for Alice in Chains to hit the stage it was dark and still very hot out. I was 16 years old in the middle of a massive mosh pit, the heat was so intense I could barley breath.
Front man Layne Staley took notice to the temperature and asked security to break the fire hoses back out and drench the crowd  just as they had been doing all day bringing much needed relief. The atmosphere was sonic, everything about the set was amazing, truly a memory that has lasted a lifetime.

It’s now 26 years later and this past Saturday I finally had the opportunity to see the band once again on the Rainer Fog tour in Montreal.  With the city under a state of emergency due to the flooding one would think most would be staying home and battening down the hatches, but we’re talking about the rock capital of Canada and if blizzards don’t slow the locals down neither will the rain.

Mtelus was sold out and once again and like all those years ago I  found myself standing shoulder to shoulder in the middle of a hot and sweaty pit. The decibels from the crowd went through the roof as the grunge icons walked out onto the stage and busted into Bleed the Freak  from their 1990 debut album ‘Facelift’. This was quickly followed by Check My Brain off of the 2009 release ‘Black Gives Way to Blue’.  Quite fitting for opening tracks as Bleed the Freak being one of the first songs with Staley and Check my Brain the first single with William DuVall.  Up next was Again off the 1995 ‘Self Titled’ release and Never Fade off the current album ‘Rainer Fog’.

With a quick pause DuVall walked off stage to drop his guitar, Lead guitarist Jerry Cantrell greeted the crowd, the crowd screamed back with approval and metal horns held high. DuVall walked back up to the front of the stage and yelled “I”  and simultaneously the band broke into Them Bones and Dam That River back to back just like on their 1992 album ‘Dirt’. Instantly the band had over 2000 back up singers as the entire audience at Mtelus were singing along to the legendary tracks at the top of their lungs, myself included. This wasn’t even the half way mark of the set  and it was safe to say that everyone was blown away.

 

Cantrell took a moment to thank the crowd for coming out and introduced members Mike Inez on bass, his tone was gut busting deep. Drummer Sean Kinney who’s drums were thunderous and balls to the walls heavy and then of course  William DuVall on lead vocals.  I’ve heard people complain since DuVall joined the band that Alice in Chains isn’t Alice in Chains with out Staley. I really don’t see what there is to complain about. For the past ten years with DuVall as a front man the band has released three solid albums, received tonnes of radio play and been very successful on tour.  When you combine Cantrell’s backing vocals and the texture of DuVall’s voice you get the same feel and energy that came from their late front man. Witnessing it live is even better, if you close your eyes you would think Staley is up there with them.  Instead of being closed minded or just stuck in the 90’s the naysayers should be greatfull that Cantrell was able to find DuVall and continue on with the band.

Through out the rest of the night the band only stopped to switch up guitars or take a momentary breather. This night was all about playing the music for their fans. The remainder of the set was a mixture of old and new with the audience singing along to every track. To top it all off the band ended the night with the remaining hits off of the ‘Dirt’ album Would? followed by Rooster.  Lighters were held in the air and the audience roared when it came to an end. It doesn’t matter if you liked them then or you like them now, the band will always be legendary.

Dallas Green of Alexis on Fire / City and Colour joined Alice in Chains as the opening support on the Canadian leg of the tour.  Green told the crowd that his set would be short and sweet as Alice in Chains has been one of his favorite bands growing up and that it was a great honor to be on the tour with them. He later joined the headliners on stage playing Got me Wrong off of  the 1992 Ep ‘Sap’.