Review: Alice in Chains - HMV Forum - 17/11/09

On the back of their first album for 15 years Black Gives Way to Blue Alice in Chains played two sold out shows at Kentish Town's Forum; their first in London since somewhat of a comeback gig at the Astoria in 2006. Support came in the form of Oxford based 2 piece Little Fish, who warmed up a crowd full of anticipation fairly well. Their wifebeater clad front woman led them through a set of fairly solid pop-rock tinged with some interesting breakdown sections, adding a good amount of depth to the setlist. Perhaps one to watch if they can pen a few more catchy numbers and gain a foothold on the playlists of some of the bigger radio stations.

After a short gap new frontman William Duvall lead Alice in Chains onto the stage and into a threefold barrage of pure awesome in the form of Them Bones, Damn that River and Rain When I Die, the first 3 songs from '92's seminal Dirt. Executed with towering precision they started as they meant to go on, sounding at least as massive as in their 90's heyday, to the delight of a somewhat vintage crowd.

The band charged energetically through 2 hours of old and new songs alike without a hiccough, except for a problem with the projector system crashing and spitting up a Windows error and a slight loss of clarity in the sound at some of the louder moments of the show. Highlights included a sit down acoustic interlude complete with performances of Heaven Beside You and the stand out title track from the eponymous new album, as well as a triumphant encore finish to old favourites Would? and Rooster.

Most importantly the band seemed to be truly at home on stage. Duvall strutted around magnificently, reaching out towards the crowd as if his utter salvation depended upon it. After all these years guitarist Jerry Cantrell seemed to be enjoying himself more than ever which was very much echoed by the crowd. The world of heavy metal music is a much better one with Alice in Chains back in it, they return to London for another show at Brixton Academy in December, I already have my ticket and shall be counting the down the days!