Alice in Chains - Down In A Hole, live. (Phoenix, Sep 2007)

[Burdman224]

Guys, Stop saying this is Layne's Song and how they should'nt play it... IT'S JERRYS FUCKING SONG, HE WROTE IT! It's not even about Drugs, its about a fucking relationship... I miss Layne just as much as any of you but I have seen the new AiC live twice and honestly can say there great, and have the right to play any song they made, and im sure layne would of wanted them to continue

[methadonemouth]

if it is so obvious to us why Layne had "feeling" to his notes, don't you think Duvall can feel it too? by watching him, I think he can.

[kohsty]

the group dynamic is most certainly NOT present. this new guy has no grit or feeling in his voice. he's like a choir kid that knows what notes to h it but not WHY they need to be hit. if you're going to continue under the same name after someone dies, at least get someone who respects the music, vocals, and emotions of the songs.

[pleini01]

without layne, no "Down in a hole" !!!

[Dpiiiius]

william is a beast! <3

[x20Tours]

Best WilD ever living a notion to be a Heart Song sung brilliantly...

[eyesewnopen]

nice job duvall!

[alyssaleighgonzales]

william nailed it. he jams. I love layne staley and his voice. but you got to give AIC props for it all. they jam still.

[faithless1969]

aic should not be opening for ANY band!

unless: they wanted to open for a pink floyd or led zep reunion.:-D

[Keyc94]

the voices not loud enough staley was the best singer for this Song....

[ColtinNotChicken]

William sounds perfect here

[skunkarific]

DuVall rocks.....love it

[godsgirlsgonewild]

they should have got Jeff Gutt to song for them

[brix04]

and you should of got your mother to spell for you.

[teemunknee]

LMAO, that was funny!

[chowds4]

RIP - Layne Staley

[yousuperpussy]

It's amazing how much people will bitch about anything... Alright, now, Jerry Cantrell has always been the primary songwriter and with 3/4 original members the group dynamic is still present so there's no reason to not continue with their name, they ARE alice in chains. Everyone loves layne, no one can replace him, and i'm sure this new william duvall fellow knows this as well. If you think what they're doin is wrong, or they should change there name... either fuck off..... or try to understand.

[DreamNeonBlack]

I'm sorry, but Layne is and forever will be the true voice of this band. He's got a special place in my heart. Layne is unreplaceable. Jerry is just trying to cash in on the AIC name

[pho3nixtar]

Maybe Jerry is trying to "cash in" on the AIC name, but considering that he was as much the reason for AIC being known as Layne was I'd say he's got a right to. It was his band as much as it was Layne's.

As for DuVall "replacing" Layne... that's not what's going on. DuVall is just following in his footsteps. Nothing DuVall ever does, no matter how great it might be, will nullify anything Layne did. If it were not for Layne's accomplishments we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

[DreamNeonBlack]

I know that Jerry is the primary songwriter for this band, but I think he should let Alice rest and use a different band name, thats all. For some reason, I've always had a problem with new singers in such accomplished bands. It's not the same as replacing and instrument player (unless of course that certain player were the primary songwriter and/or founder of said band).

[pho3nixtar]

I'll just have to agree to disagree. If they had wanted to go with another name they would have. And I think bands with encompassing names, as opposed to bands with names like "Dave Matthews Band", tend to want the music to be bigger than each individual in the band to begin with.

I understand why people are protective of the AiC name. I'd just wait to see what the music is going to be like, though. If it adds to the name, isn't that a good thing?

[DreamNeonBlack]

Well, to each his own, it's just an opinion. I appreciate that you're not a dick like most people here that disagree with what you have to say. I still love AIC, Jerry Cantrell, and will still buy the new album. Anything Jerry is involved in is great, so yeah, I'm sure this new shit is gonna be good.

[Elshubobu]

Security problems my ass. They should let you record all you want. If AIC really wants to make some money, they should sell SoundBoard copies of all their live shows. I would buy an album of 320kbps Mp3's, or a cheap burned disc of a live show From Alice In Chains any day!

[pho3nixtar]

Some of you need to realize that DuVall is singing songs that people associate with Layne. Wait until you hear original AiC material with DuVall at the forefront before you go passing judgement.

[waverider038]

I agree with that statement. Well said. It seems everyone is listening for Layne in these songs when they shouldn't. This is the new AIC

[mEgaponies]

William is good. Not Layne but he's pretty good, he's probably better now that he's used to AIC's style. When he first came in with them, his vocal range wasn't as great but now he's sounding alot better. R.I.P Layne.

[Theboardsurfer]

Um, i'm not sure if you guys got the memo, but Layne is DEAD. Yes, gone. Quit making him Jesus, he's a singer with great vocal range that's dead. Losers. That's all. Imagine if you were put in his place to replace the lead singer for the band. what do you expect?

[ssgdigital]

R.I.P. Layen, guys don't try, it's a waste....

[deadviolets]

This isn't as bad as the songs where he tries (and fails) to scream, but it's still not right. He sounds a lot like Kermit the Frog. More than anything, he just has a very bland voice....just blahhhhh. Zero intensity.

[RothMan18]

He's doing well enough,I mean if Jerry has enough faith in him as being lead singer for AIC then we should too....

[deadviolets]

I see...so we should all follow Cantrell like blind sheep no matter what he chooses to do.

I admire Chris Cornell's previous work, too, but have you heard him lately? Point is, artists sometimes make bad choices or, at the very least, choices fans don't agree with. It's common for bands to make a lineup change, change their sound, etc and lose fans. This thing with Duvall is one of those changes.

[RothMan18]

Exactly this 'thing" with Duvall is a common change that bands go through and since Laynes no more we have to respect Jerrys decision to put Duvall in there,I mean we either have to or if we choose not to then don't listen to the fucking music anymore it's as simple as that,I mean Layne made his decision that left Jerry with an even bigger one which ultimately was whether or not he wanted to even continue with AIC we should be happy he's still keeping the music alive,either deal with it or stfu

[idodachachalikagrl]

OR, Jerry can accept the fact that Alice in Chains truly died with Layne Staley. He should respect what he did with Alice in Chains and Layne and move on. Instead, they are just hurting the legacy they created. I'm not saying that they shouldn't make music anymore, but don't do it as Alice in Chains. People associate and relate their music to their lives whether it be personal problems and/or drug addiction. In all honesty, Will DuVall can't relate to that no matter how much he wants to.

[RothMan18]

Duvall nor Cantrell want to replace Layne or give the songs that we all associate with Layne a new meaning,but as they are making the new AIC album which is music by Cantrell and Duvall and the other guys it'll be music by them and have nothing to do with Layne,old AIC has the essence of Layne and no one can replace that or change that,but new AIC is about Duvall and Cantrell having nothing to do with Layne except they decided to keep the band name

[penal420]

performances like this give the new album hope for me. as long as they dont try to pull one over on us and attempt to do more screaming songs as if its the same exact band. no more scream songs for duvall, he doesnt have the natural pain in his screams that layne had.

[slongman]

Met the band backstage at this show.. they were the nicest guys I could of hoped for. They even took us on the bus and then into the dressing room and then let my wife and I watch the show from Mike's bass pit side of the stage. And then to top it off- when we went to take a photo with the band my batteries went dead in my camera and Baldy ran and got us batteries for our camera!! I'll always love these guys.

[laboloche]

Layne..

[0verload]

I'm just happy to see them performing these awsome songs again and they still sound respectable even with Duvall, he does a decent job.

[ericwagoner98]

Amen pipi im right there with you

[pipedreamer79]

I just fucking love how a bunch of people who aren't members of Alice in Chains are trying to tell the members of Alice in Chains what they should or shouldn't do with Alice in Chains.

I miss Layne too, but hey, he's fucking dead by his own poor choices. There's still 3 members of Alice in Chains that obvious want to carry on.

If you think DuVall sucks, fine, don't fucking buy their new album next Summer, and don't come to the concerts. More room for me. Fucking douchebags...

[metallaholic]

A-fuckin'-men.

[AMApookie]

I must admit at first I didn't like him. I think some of the songs don't suit him but he is doing pretty good in this one... He has big shoes to fill of course, but I'm sure he'll rock out when the songs are written for his abilities. I'm growing faith in Duvall.

[chrisjackson1]

Duvall does a great job. For those of you bitching about calling themselves AIC sans Layne....you need to do your fucking homework. Cantrell was the real driving force behind the band. Layne was an important part, but he wasn't the whole band. I for one am glad to see a great band carrying on after the untimely death of the frontman.

[Kiba450]

My thoughts exactly. Layne was a great singer and he was an important part of the band, but Jerry Cantrell CREATED AiC's sound.

I think Duvall does an impressive job of imitating Layne's voice/singing style, as well.

[deadviolets]

Sounds like crap.

[frzrbrnt04]

some guy posted laynes last show in 96, i suggest those check it out who say he couldnt do man in the box anymore

[tabera14]

i just cant deel with this new singer im not saying hes bad hes just not fit for alice in chains

[igotbeatyo]

Not fit for Alice In Chains...William DuVall does a great job . I'm excited for this, too bad Soundgarden won't ever get back together.

[TommyGuy96]

I don't hate this singer and alice in chains are my absolute favorite band, they have been since i was a little kid. But i agree with everyone who says this is wrong. Its actually worse than axel rose calling himself guns n roses. The least that could be done is they could do like the doors, journey and many others have done and call themselves alice in chains with so and so, in this case with Duvall. Otherwise this is a total cash in on the alice in chains name.

[devilcatgirl]

the new singer sounds stupid.

[legend142]

are you deaf? he sounds incredible Layne would be proud. All the people bitching about the name shut the fuck up its their decision not yours.

[kyle8769]

Layne is my favorite singer of all time hands down, but his voice had been deteriorating from 92 on. If you actually listen from when they started in 87 up until 99, his voice was changed forever, and AIC would never again be what it once was. As bad of condition as he was in Unplugged, you think he could of actually still belted out tunes like Man in the Box? there is no way.

[deadviolets]

Heroin, among other things, will do that to you.

But even at his worst, you knew it was coming from some place real when Layne sang. I don't get that feeling with Duvall. I've yet to see him give a convincing performance. It always looks/sounds contrived.

Layne may have burned out quickly, but when he was in his prime, he could've blown Duvall right off the stage.

[kyle8769]

Oh yeah layne in 1990-1992 was probably the best rock singer that i'd ever seen. I loved his voice in later years as well, but theres no denying it lost alot of it's power. But yeah, i'm sure heroin, weight loss, losing teeth, touring all the time all had something to do with it...

[Diegounal]

ufff esto si es grunge que buena musica, el grunge sera siempre recordado por nosotros fue lamejor epoca que sentimiento bque transmite, alice in chains increible su musica

[blazdone]

i miss layne, but i'm glad to see these songs being performed. i was too young to see them in the 90s, but now i definitely plan on going to see them

[ou812bass]

so was i... "91"

[mtllica1991]

same here, I think DuVall does a good job, he can never replace Layne to me, but he's good nonetheless

[opensourcethong]

bands just shouldn't carry on under the same name when one of the main members leaves/dies, it just isn't right. they should do what joy division did. when ian died, they changed the name to new order. it just seems so wrong to keep the same name, cos with layne gone, it's not aic anymore.

[deadviolets]

Should we find replacement members for The Beatles and send them out on tour as if nothing ever happened?

All good things come to an end. All bands/artists die eventually. Alice died with Layne.

Besides, continuing on with this shitty new singer is a fate worse than death.

[koshadeal]

I usually don't bother commenting but I have to say that any true aic fans would be sick to their fucking stomachs watching this if they want to try replacing layne fine..go on and make new songs but how dare they perform the songs that layne made famous.. i have more respect for layne staley than aic does because those songs would have died with layne..hell they did die with layne and so did his true fans.. i don't know how jerry cantrell sleeps at night..a heartless piece of shit

[Tharsis11]

ok, i'm having trouble understanding your logic... i think its more of an honor than anything else. plus, theyre fucking amazing songs... and it would be a shame to never play them again live

[UliCantrell]

Oh get over yourself. Jerry Cantrell wrote this song. They waited on Layne for years before he died. If the only thing they cared about was money they would have found a new singer in 1996.

Layne was immense but he's gone.

They have their own lives to live. Good luck to them.

[devilcatgirl]

It's sad to see a great band turn into a third-rate, money-grubbing carnival act.

They couldn't even find a good singer. Or care to actually look for one.

Instead, we get this guy, with all of two octaves and a permanent frog in his throat.

I hope the money's worth it to you, Jerry.

[discodan1251]

he sounds alot like layne. im glad alice are still jammin

[seanyboi234]

wow, this is my first time hearing Duvall sing for Alice in Chains, I had to listen to him sing my favorite Chains song, he did this song some justice, but Layne of course was better.

[mcrkid22]

Layne will always be better. Like, there's no comparison... He was the best, and I'd give my guitar playing arms to have him back.

[charliegrs]

i always thought of the current alice in chains like i think of the current misfits

[mcrkid22]

wtmfh?

[charliegrs]

my point being that the original misfits with the original singer {glenn danzig} shits all over the new misfits with whatever shit singer they got now

[RJB61012]

aic could have existed without staley. people think there like nirvana where they say oh just because staley died no more aic.. nirvana couldnt survive without cobain. but aic can survive without staley

[mcrkid22]

Fuck that! There's no one better than Staley.

[waterandmetal]

Duvall doesn't seem to have the pain or passion that Layne just bled freely. It makes the difference extremely noticable, I think they should just leave AIC as the legend it remains. You do have to give some kudos to Will though, musically speaking its very difficult to sing how Layne did. Still total bummer way he went, RIP Layne

[LiasonLoveAlways]

William does a good job on some songs...but on others, Layne's voice and charisma are sorely missed. This is one of those songs.

[kevinAIC33]

Layne is missed on every tune, but i'm not gonna bitch that aic is going on without him it's like the tripod album "three legs but still standing"

[BahigPimpin]

ya know if one didnt know

you wouldnt be able to tell that wasnt layne

[grungecohlic]

AIC with layne do it better... But I'm still proud of you Duvall...

[twistedcross]

One of my favorite bands, but some of you need a reality check. This band does not exist without Cantrell. It could have existed without Staley. He was great, but the heart of the songwriting is alive and well. Staley killed Staley. I don't see any reason why Staley should be the death of the band as well. Most people would be surprised if they knew how much of the singing on the albums was Jerry.

[deadviolets]

AIC was the interaction between Jerry AND Layne. Jerry, alone, cannot keep AIC afloat. He couldn't make any of his solo albums a success and, in fact, he was dropped by not one record label, but two.

[psymalta]

Would be interesting to hear eddie vedder, or chris cornell singing along this song. (the only 2 good grunge vocalists who are still alive). Although DuVall isnt too bad either. I am glad to have Alice in Chains back on stage, doing what they are good at doing! :)

[oaklandrmoss18]

ya this guy actually sounds kinda like layne. your right cant compare to layne though. I am the biggest grundge music lover and you forgot to add one person besides eddie and chris. Scott Weilan from stone temple pilots. i know a lot of people disagree and say STP isnt grundge. but how are they not? scotts voice has that grudgy tone to it and their songs have the same feel. think about it if they were from seattle they would DEFINETLY be considered grundge

[Batgirlgl]

It's grunge dude. G-R-U-N-G-E.

[gayassllama]

what about scott weiland and mark lanegan

[santastic69]

Scott fucked over VR, he shouldnt be let near AiC

[muducka]

I'm actually impressed. This is the first time I've actually been able to force myself to try to watch an AIC video w/o Layne and this is my fav song. I mean can't really compare to him

[santastic69]

my feelings exactly.

[pigfungus909]

AIC should change their name. Simple as that. They are no longer Alice in Chains without Layne, and though I like William Duvall's voice, it simply can't compare.

They SHOULD stay together though. Layne's death shouldn't have to keep Jerry Cantrell down; he's got amazing talent

[GreenRiver909]

I was there in that audience. While DuVall was just not like Layne, I was still impressed. I think he's got the talent. Just don't judge each new member of a band based on the previous person in his/her position. Does Alice In Chains want to keep living in the past dwelling on the Staley era? No, they want to keep performing. They want to look towards the future. And, like I said, I was impressed with DuVall's singing. He's got a great high range, especially during the other songs played here.

[deadviolets]

You must have some low standards if you think Duvall is a great talent. He sounds like friggin Tarzan with a severe head cold.

[cdnsoldier69]

You're an idiot. Who the fuck do you think you are anyway? Simon from fucking American Idol. Where's your music degree from Julliard. Do you really think that you're qualified to criticize his singing. I don't think so. He's got a great voice as far as I'm concerned.

[deadviolets]

Who am I? I'm a TRUE fan of AIC...the REAL AIC, not this repackaged horseshit.

Duvall sucks. He sucked in CWTF, he sucks with AIC and he'll suck on any future material they produce. You don't need a degree from Julliard (or, as most people know it, Juilliard) to know that. Go listen to some Puddle of Mudd or something, jackass.

[waverider038]

Well well well........look what "deadpanzie" is suggesting here.

[deadviolets]

Well well well...it's wanna-be AIC fan, assrider, here to watch some more crappy videos of the fake AIC.

[cdnsoldier69]

What's that, I couldn't hear you! You must have had a dick in your mouth.

[rcmaster1029]

It's just nothing without Layne.

[Yasushi1983]

William is not Latyne.

Layne is not William.

I miss Layne,sure.

I think William should do his own stile more.

And new AIC must play new material.

I'm waiting for their new album.

R.I.P Layne

[travispapp21]

new guy sings good, isnt layne but its close enough.

[cdnsoldier69]

Yeah, there are a lot of peope trashing the new guy. I think he's great. People gotta stop trying to fit him into Layne's shoes. I think people should give him a chance before trashing him. For Christ's sake people, we haven't even heard the new album yet.

[kevinAIC33]

Nah they can change the name, but they still might owe Cloumbia Records a few more albums

[Trainor79]

we'll see about the album I herd due to leagal reasons they can't change their name does anyone know if thats true?? and William can never be Layne but he does do him justice by not makin it his own he sings it like Layne would

[mtllica1991]

I'm so glad they've decided to do at least one more album, even without Layne. I think DuVall does very well as the lead vocalist, but he's still no Layne Staley.

[banion23]

what a change...this guy was picked for sounding similar...we'll never hear the original...sad.

Original Alice in Chains was incredible.

[iambigp2]

This was such a badass show but i can't believe alice in chains was playing second fiddle to velvet revolver. I would have much rather seen more AIC

[BluesBreaker26]

That was a kickass show. One of the best sets I've seen in my life especially considering we were front row. They COMPLETELY outdid Velvet Revolver and everyone was booing when they said they could only do one more song and that VR was coming out in a few.

[slongman]

I agree with you all. My wife and I were there and watched from Mike's bass pit... it was the coolest thing I've ever done. We got to meet the whole band as well and they were gracious as hell.

[chvipergts]

I envy you. I was happy with my seats, but the show last year in Tempe was killer.

[chvipergts]

Anyone notice the mistake at 4.46? I noticed it when I was at the show. Either way, still a great performance.

[chvipergts]

That show was great. I only wish AIC could have gotten to play more songs. Next time, I hope they do their own show.

[ScottyVengeance]

AGREED

i was thar. lol. middle area, center.

Alice in Chains was fucking amazing, beyond explanation.

Velvet Revolver Sucked that night.

[rrodinis]

Velvet Revolver can not hold a candle to Alice in Chains. I had chills through most of the show. (it was 100 degrees outside) The best thing VR did was play Guns and Roses songs. I don't think that I am the only one who feels this way after seeing the Phoenix show. Please, feel free to comment.

[chvipergts]

Even the DJs on KUPD commented on how much better AIC show was than VR. That takes balls to say that on the radio.

[BluesBreaker26]

I agree completely man VR honestly sucked and when AIC played Rooster at the end of the set I almost had a seizure

[bunkfoss]

hahaha holy shit same here man... my buddy and i left on a good note and decided to leave and forget about velvet revolver