Alice In Chains return with their first new album since 1995

"Hope, a new beginning / Time, time to start living / Just like before we died," sings Alice in Chains' vocalist William DuVall on "All Secrets Known" - undoubtedly a reference to the band's revival and efforts to escape the shadows of its past. Despite the forward-looking attitude, however, these are shadows not easily forgotten on "Black Gives Way to Blue," the band's first disc of new material in 14 years, but more importantly, since the 2002 death of the band's original singer, Layne Staley.

As with most bands that need to replace a vocalist, the first question that comes to mind is how does the new stack up to the old, and the answer is surprisingly well. I understand many purists might denounce the band's decision to continue with making music under the Alice In Chains moniker, but it must be accepted that what happened, happened and it's only fair for the band to move on. DuVall sounds a lot like Staley and although he lacks the tortured artist ideal that made the band so intriguing and real to begin with, he gets the job done.

The music itself is also of the typical Alice In Chains flavor. The guitars sound dirty, the tempo is slow and the mood is very dark - all befitting the grunge movement the band was born from. But after a while, it's pretty uninspiring. Everything seems to be moving slower than it should and the grind of the guitars will wear you down with repeated listens.

While listeners will spend the entire album waiting for that one song - the song that has that big, power chorus that oozes the pain of a man really in trouble - it never comes. Sure, Alice In Chains' niche has always been dark, drudging and moody alternative metal, but "Black Gives Way To Blue" just leaves you wanting a little more.

By no means is "Black Gives Way to Blue" a bad album - though, as I mentioned, it is what Alice In Chains always has sounded like and to the faithful, this will be pleasing.

"Check My Brain" is about as catchy as the album will get, and the few slower acoustic songs like "Your Decision" and "When the Sun Rose Again" are good listens.

The album closer, "Black Gives Way to Blue" (which guest stars Elton John on piano), is a lovely song dedicated to the late Staley, but again demonstrates that there's nothing really new about this beginning and there's nothing wrong with that. DuVall and Co. spend the better part of an hour paying tribute to a deserving musician.

Check out: "Check My Brain," "Black Gives Way To Blue"