2013, In many ways, Alice in Chains was the definitive heavy metal band of the early ´90s. Drawing equally from the heavy riffing of post-Van Halen metal and the gloomy strains of post-punk, the band developed a bleak, nihilistic sound that balanced grinding hard rock with subtly textured acoustic numbers. They were hard enough for metal fans, yet their dark subject matter and punky attack placed them among the front ranks of the Seattle-based grunge bands. After a few beats of ,,Hollow", it's obvious that this is still the band which was loved by millions of Grungies in the 90s: Jerry Cantrell's overwhelming guitar barrage, drummer Sean Kinney's irresistible beat, Mike Inez' intense and pumping bass - and the overall epic, atmospheric air created by all these ingredients. And William DuVall is more than a mere substitute for Lane Staley: he never tries to copy the original, but is confident, just himself - in calmer moments or on the title track.