Alice in Chains

Happy Birthday, @JerryCantrell. 📷: Carli Lind

On this day, 20 years ago, we reunited at VH1’s Decades of Rock. Filmed in Atlantic City, New Jersey, this show was a tribute to the band Heart, and featured a new and unexpected chapter in the Alice In Chains story. William made his first appearance with the band, and two months later we embarked on an ambitious touring schedule that would take us around the world for the remainder of the year. This led to more touring in 2007 and eventually into the studio in 2008, where recording began on the first new Alice In Chains album since 1995. It all began (again) in the spring of 2006. As 2026 unfolds, we’ll look back at some memorable moments not only from 20 years ago, but from other years as well.

🖤 📷: Dana Frank

Ghent, Belgium 02.22.93 🎥: mastervideosffm6202 on YouTube

Shop up to 30% off select merch for Black Friday at: shop.aliceinchains.com

“There’s a song called “Frogs” on this new record, right? Layne wrote the coolest words…that first line of the song, to me that just really hits home with our whole band. We know what friendship means, and we know what standing by your bro and standing by your people, and having them stand by you…it’s such a special feeling when someone sticks up for you.” — Mike Inez, RIP (1996) 📸: Rocky Schenck

“To date, this record probably offers the clearest view of my influences. I could point out 50 of them, from Brian May to Lindsey Buckingham, Dave Johnstone to Hendrix, Iommi to Page; there’s all kinds of shit in there.” — @JerryCantrell, Guitar World (1996)| 📸: Rocky Schenck

“There’s no huge, deep message in any of the songs. It was just what was going on in my head right then. We had good times, and we had bad times. We recorded a few months of being human” — Layne Staley, Rolling Stone (1996) | 📸: Rocky Schenck

Extending part of me again…revisit “Again” at youtu.be/__biilMpnmw 🎥: George Vale

“We really stripped down the sound this time. There’s no compression or effects or anything. I used one 808 drum hit, and that’s it. It’s a really clean sounding record” - Sean Kinney, Request (1996) | 📸:Rocky Schenck

Hanging on set of The Nona Tapes, 1995. | 📸:Rocky Schenck

“When I was a paper boy and I used to deliver papers, this dog used to chase me around. It was real vicious and had three legs. They called it Tripod. It’s haunted me ever since!“ — Sean Kinney, Metal Hammer (1996) Alternate art for Alice In Chains featuring Sunshine by Rocky Schenck

See what you came to see…revisit “Heaven Beside You” at youtu.be/TEAylKJb-to 🎥: Frank W. Ockenfels III

Jerry and I went to this after hours party in Seattle, and we went down to the basement and there’s this gear set up. We wrote “Heaven Beside You” on the spot at 4:00 in the morning. The next day we went to the studio and put it down. We did the same kind of thing with “Rotten Apple” and “I Stay Away” from Jar Of Flies. We have such good chemistry. — Mike Inez, Metal Edge (1996) | 📸 Rocky Schenck

Clowning around | The Nona Tapes, 1995

I’ve always been interested in bands that make heavy shit without sounding so obvious. There’s something about having strength and not flaunting…to me, being heavy has nothing to do with how many speakers you blow or how many decibels you play at. — Jerry Cantrell, Guitar World (1996) | 📸: Rocky Schenck

Hear a sound from a voice inside… Revisit the music video for “Grind”: youtu.be/83gddxVpitc 🎥: Rocky Schenck

The 30th anniversary merch capsule for our self-titled record is now available for pre-order, including a limited edition Welcome Skateboards skate deck and custom dog collar. Shop now at: bit.ly/3XifYsk

To celebrate 30 years of our self-titled record, the limited edition Alice In Chains 30 box set is available now for pre-order – including 2LP vinyl with pop-up gatefold packaging, three 7-inch singles, 10 custom art prints, 12 tarot cards, a cassette, two double-sided 24x24” posters, a double-sided zoetrope slipmat, a hardcover comic book, and more. shop.aliceinchains.com Grab the box set, vinyl reissue, and exclusive merch now, and join us over the next 2 weeks as we take a look back at this album.

Happy Birthday, @WilliamDuvall. 📷: Shannon McMillen