I like Alice in Chains, but in my mind, Soundgarden were more creative, complex, and original. In Jerry Cantrell's own words, they were the "granddaddies." From Deep Six, to Sub Pop, to SST, to super-stardom, they influenced the whole Seattle scene.
dude i would kill myself before making that choice. but if someone put out alice in chains and a soundgarden CD next to eachother... id reach for alice in chains.....chris cornells new songs have lessen his godness
Soundgarden and Alice In Chains both fucking rule. Try giving Badmotorfinger and Dirt back to back listenings and you won't be able to choose anyway. RIP Layne Staley and Chris Cornell's modern career choices lol.
I cant choose on this one, both are so awesome.... I have listend to both as long as i can remember and i thank my older sister for showing me these bands.
This is too hard. I think I would have an easier time deciding ,if i had to kill one son to save another. SG has the ball shaking, razor sharp ear piercing, paint peeling and 4 octave reaching screams from Chris Cornell, but AIC has the haunting, growling and awesome vibrato ass kicking vocals of fucking Layne Staley. SG has Kim, but AIC has Cantrell. Cornell took a "pee wee herman inspired head voice" and turned it into magic and Layne took a "I'm drunk and tired sound" and rocked it.
people that put vs videos up are too pussy to make up their own mind or figure out they are both good. but AiC is obviously better. if your a SG fan so be it. my opinion is mine and yours is yours. but in both of our eyes our favorite is better.
Jesus Christ, I'm never going on these vs. videos again. It kills me seeing the results. Usually, it's my favorite band that loses, and your always using their most overrated song (Better SG and AIC songs you know)
I won't choose between these two bands though. These two bands are equally as good as eachother. Don't make me die again... I'm done watching your videos .
Choosing a side might make my head explode... They both were able to change their music through all of their albums successfully... Cornell has better range but Staley has such a unique voice, especially with the accompaniment of Cantrell... Both have the capability of making poems out of most of their songs and had kick ass concerts...
i dont even see why a decision has to be made. chris cornell and soundgarden have always been my favourite band, but i love alice heaps to. i just always put them sort of in the same league. even though they r both so different to each other, they are better then any of the alternatives. so lets not argue whos better here, letss go onto a nirvava vid and then il have an oppinion
alice in chains barely takes this one. Both were THE creative forces behind grunge. its just that because im a fan, Staley's voice wins me over. Cornell had a voice that i cant label with words because it was just too great and unique. Even then, his voice evolved deeper into perfection when audioslave released out of exile. i just really really like staley's voice. And no, its not because he is dead. I doubt he would want to be remembered by only his death and not his incredible work.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
ur kiding me right u compare laynes voice with the other guy it is obvius that layne has better voice strong with a mix of high notes nad etc watch love hate love when he says lost inside my sick head live at seattle
both great bands and chris had alot of other great bands but i think alice in chains is far better than all of them and is even one of the best bands ever (cant say that much about them with the new singer tho)
Layne Staley had a better voice, IMO, and with Cantrell it sounded like god's voice. Riffs are about equal, I'd say, drumming goes to Soundgarden, bass is about equal, overall I'd go with AIC.
Let's not forget the soloing because Thayil crushes Cantrell at executing big solos. Cold Bitch, Birth Ritual, Like Suicide... so yeah, guitar goes to Thayil.
Bias for Staley...Cornell had more range and power to his voice and his harmonies with his own voice are unbelievable as well. Cornell for the win there.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
both bands were so trendy with the grunge thing..that formula never worked cause theyre pretty dead right now, pearl jam took the ride with the greatest artists aside the grunge comunity & it worked cause theyre still vital,AIC sucked ass,they bored me,always the same shit,soundgarden challenged themselves from time to time but cant stand that pussy of cornell...timbaland? fuck him..kudos for matt cameron for joining a real band but gotta admit that his drumming was better on soundgarden
Layne's great, but we're talking about Chris fucking Cornell. Listen to Beyond the Wheel live, Birth Ritual, Into the Void and early demos and you'll see that Layne does not compare.
Even later songs like Tighter and Tighter and 4th of July show Chris' absolute supremacy as a singer.
Alice in Chains. There will never be a more perfect duo in rock than Layne and Jerry. Perfect vocals every time, ripping guitar, pounding drums. Everything about them is outstanding.
by ability i am referring to skill and knowledge of theory. not influence, influence is different than ability man. and that isn't true that they would be unheard of. grunge may have been less mainstream, but to say it wouldn't be known of is a bit much man.
I agree with that statement, although I prefer SG's music. I think probably the most riveting part to what SG put out was the fact that musically, all of Soundgarden were different and pulling in different directions. That's what makes Superunknown and Down on the Upside such stunning pieces of art.
As for Alice in Chains, they were dedicated, even past Staley's death. I have to commend them for that. After Dirt and Jar of Flies, however, the music wasn't QUITE as good.
i think old soundgarden was the shit but since they went mainstream im gonna have to go with alice in chains just becuz i love mad season wich layne stanely was in
i think soundgarden had more variety in their music, because they dared to change. that was a good thing, but bad at the same time, because thats why soundgarden broke up. alice in chains is amazing as well with staley and cantrell's combined voices. i'm gonna have to go with soundgarden by a little, but at least nirvana is at the very bottom! XD
i love comparing them because i love them both so much. i think the only way to say which one is better would be personal preference, for which there is no scale or meter, besides poles.
If you want to talk technical ability there are a ton of bands who blow both AIC and SG out of the water instrumentally, but that isn't what their styles were about. It was about art and creativity. Both bands were equally artistic imo.
As for being equally artistic, however, I would certainly have to agree with you. Both created two rough mosaics focused around topics like angst, depression, familial issues and addiction. Cantrell, Cornell, Thayil, Staley visualized their problems beautifully.
another thing, thayil was NOT the main song writer in soundgarden, cornell was. cantrell was just as important as layne, in fact wrote most of the songs. he was also a much more sophisticated lead guitarist than thayil and used alot of his knowledge on harmony and counterpoint. Listen to the instrumental "Whale and Wasp". brilliant guitar harmonies. however thayil is a much faster player and has a sound that is just as unique. you can't compare the two. they're way different players.
Yeah, it's a tough comparison. On the one hand, you have Cantrell with riffs from Them Bones, Would, Heaven Beside You, Man In The Box...matched by Thayil's excellence with Rusty Cage, Jesus Christ Pose, Let Me Drown, My Wave, 4th of July, Beyond the Wheel, Flower...
But for solos (despite the fact that Cantrell had some crazy solos in Man in the Box, Them Bones, Would, etc.), Thayil wins by a longshot. Like Suicide, Never the Machine Forever, Beyond the Wheel, Spoonman, etc.
Not really man. Thayil's solos were faster but his melodic sense wasn't as good. Cantrell has an excellent sense of melody. And btw, most of those riffs that you mentioned aren't thayil's, they were written by Cornell.
Melody does not necessarily equate to talent or technical ability...Thayil was more technical and still retained melody (eg. Like Suicide).
You are right about a lot of the riffs not being his, but it furthermore proves that both Thayil and Cornell wrote excellent riffs consistently. I don't think Cantrell could have ever come up with something like Flower's badass riff, nor Rusty Cage's riff.
Melody has ALOT to do with talent.A good sense of melody is what makes a great songwriter.tech ability isnt the only thing that determines talent. why would cantrel not be able to write the rusty cage riff?its not that hard of a riff to play.Another thing cantrell can do is write brilliant vocal harmonies. and thats something SG couldn't do as well. Most of thayills solos especially ones from BadMotorFinger and before are atonal and dont have alot of melody. Btw i like Soundgarden more.
Well, clearly the sign of two different bands. SG never tried to be melodic; they messed around with psychadelia much more than AiC did. SG took risks in songs like Applebite, Beyond the Wheel, Big Dumb Sex, Head Down, Superunkown; all visualized by Cornell and Thayil and all brilliant songs.
SG did not employ vocal harmonies very often, but that does not relate to who is the better guitarist. Cantrell never blew on his guitar, nor could he, in his wildest dreams, ever hope to play Rhinosaur.
there again you're talking about technical ability. and that isn't true about SG, they were very melodic at times. Black Hole Sun, Burden in My Hand, etc etc
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
btw, after just listening to rhinosaur i have to say, what is so hard about that and why couldn't cantrell play it? I think you're thinking cantrell is almost more limited than he really is. he had chops. he just didn't play fast often.
I wouldn't classify the band as a melodic styled band at all. Sure, they were psychadelic (BHS) and melodic (BINH, MW are good examples), but overall, they were a band that didn't rely on melodicism, especially from Screaming Life to Badmotorfinger.They were, as you said, atonal, for most of their career.
As for Rhinosaur...Cantrell's great, but he certainly could not produce with the solo, which fits the song perfectly.
again, it's all up to opinion. Some even argue that the big four, when they gained popularity, weren't even grunge any more. eg, Pearl Jam were alt. rock, SG and PJ alt metal and Nirvana just punk.
But they are not "grunge", Master TC1994. He made a good point. Grunge is just a term Mark Arm from Mudhoney coined and the media went with. These bands are all alternative metal bands who became mainstream during the 1990s. Like Fragile said, grunge is the label, music is alternative metal.
And Cantrell is an amazing singer and has cool riffs, but he has NOTHING on Thayil. "Like Suicide", "Never the Machine Forever", "Beyond the Wheel" secure his place in alt. metal history.
The bands from this era made me love music again. It was a breath of fresh air. Unfortunatly we are in Marketing hell nowadays. It is a shame that we are growing old with this music. It was a time of all times in music. That and the 60's.
All three bands Soundgarden, AIC and Nirvana are awesome. Personally the most talented was prob Soundgarden but Cobain wrote some great stuff. LS and Cantrell are more Hard Rock than the punk and Classic influences of the other two.
nirvana was more successful. that doesn't mean they were more talented in every aspect. thats silly. in terms of ability they were the weakest of the big grunge bands.
Soundgarden's musicianship/talent merged with their creativity and rawness easily put them over top of AiC in my opinion. Each member was amazing...Cornell, tho, I think, is probably the biggest reason I love SG so much. Absolutely incredible what he can do.
I personally am a bigger AIC fan, although these are both top five favorite bands. Cornell has a much more dynamic and versatile voice. He can reach any note. Layne has an awesome unique voice that is really cool to hear. Alice's great harmonies put them ahead for me. Both bands have great musicians.
Love both bands...gosh i'd do my top 3 fav. bands excluding STP...shit but i'm sorry cornell Chris does it bettter...there's just more emotional in AIC!!! but wow t2o great bands man you cant compare!!!!!
lets not compare radio friendly hooky songs-lets try a little deeper shall we-lets go to the place were true,honest,raw creativity has the price the price of exposing your soul to those of vanity-it s easy being cryptic-not so much when poetic-fuck-really miss you layne
soooo true soooo true they both have a familiar but different sound you know....I say familiar cuz you ever heard Godsmack by AIC sounds like a thayil riff...but Cantrells riffs goes great with Laynes vocals....two of my fav. Guitarist can't comptare the Gods of strings man!
ahahahaha...I actually searched it up on Wikipedia...he does have this "Riff Lord" award. But that's Metal Hammer's opinion...clearly it doesn't judge stars like Hendrix as well.
Kim Thayil is, according to Rolling Stone and many other respectable critics, the 100th greatest guitar player for all time. Not just riffs, but technically. He did things with the guitar that no one had done before and significantly changed his style in just about every song.
I LOVE both bands, but AIC is my all time favorite. They combine great vocals with personality, guitar, EVERYTHING. Soundgarden did all that too, but AIC beats them out.
Honestly, depends on what song is playing. I prefer hearing Man in the Box than Black Hole Sun, but I also prefer hearing Pretty Noose than Grind...but I can't live without either band.
Definitely Kim Thayil, though. Jerry's nowhere close to what Kim had. Listen to Rhinosaur, Like Suicide, Black Hole Sun, Sub Pop Rock City, Beyond the Wheel...
Bass...tied between Shepherd and Inez. Ben Shepherd had some complex shit though...Spoonman isn't exactly a piece of cake. The whole Down on the Upside and Superunknown was difficult.
Drums...definitely Matt Cameron. He switched tempos so many times and the time signatures were nuts! (esp. Never the Machine Forever)
ya i actually agree now with matt on drums...ill argue kim beating jerry tho..and ben is very underrated but mike is more wll known and has done more with his career.
Kim Thayil is way better than Jerry. There's a reason he's the 100th best guitar player of all time according to Rolling Stone. Just listen to all the Soundgarden B-sides out there. You'll see through the solos (Sub Pop Rock City, for example)
Personally, I prefer Alice In Chains, I love both bands, and I have all Jerry's solo stuff, but I think it is quite obvious when solos are compared that Thayil is better. I do, thoughm think some of Jerry's riffs are insane.
"haha 100th best guitar play" that's shit haha.. Jerry Cantrell is the "RIFF LORD" beating out guys like Jimi Page, Slash, Hendrix and so on. Don't even get me started. and as far as music Alice In Chains does it for me i'll play some soundgarden, but you just have to relize when both minds come together it's brilliant. Sap: "Right Turn"
There is no way that Jerry Cantrell beats Jimmy Page or Hendrix. What the hell are you on?
Soundgarden were way rawer and heavier than AIC with better lyrical content and ultimately more talent. Let's face it... Heaven Beside You is a joke for lyrics. "Be what you want to be". The album Superunknown is more talented and sophisticated than Dirt and Badmotorfinger runs over Facelift (although the first four songs are very good on that album)
right turn is a fuckin amazing song you have to love when cornell comes in for the last minute he has one of the greatest rock voices of all time but thayil is better than cantrell riff lord ha listen to flower BADASS RIFF cantrell cant compete with that and you have no argument for cantrells solos over thayils
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Hey yo, not only did he beat Hendrix, but he beat out Jimi Page. Don't even question me, I didn't give him the award it was part of a decades of rock awards thing, and If I had a choice i'd give it to him anyway b/c he is the master of riffs.. Go cry b/c Cantrell will always be the "RIFF LORD"
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
and theirs a reason why jerry cantrell is the 60th best guitarist and the number one "Riff Lord" songs like Damn that river, Grind, What the hell have I. Shits on anthing Thayil will ever produce. And while re-searching Thayil he is the 171st best compared to Cantrells number 60
My opinion is on who is better not a list i'm making a point b/c someone said that Jerry was listed lower, Jerry Cantrell is the "riff lord" and will forever be the "Riff Lord"
I love SG but nothing they have done touche the heartfelt emotion of a lot of AiC's work. Thats what sets them apart because to me you can't go wrong if you're speakin from the heart.
so had to decide. they are really equall in talent to me and very much alike in genre. their songwriting is about equal as is the atmosphere of their sound. but i prefer alice in chains because i just happen to prefer their style of sound. and i think they have a little more depth and versatility, and they have accomplished more when it comes to the amount of great songs and albums i believe.
Its hard to decide. I love both bands. Soundgarden are far more diverse and versatile but AIC had more soul and that moody aura that embodies them. Anyway if i have to pick, I'll pick AIC. Layne's haunting vocals complemented with his tormented stage presence are pure god. Also Jerry's bleak and nihilistic tone are simply groundbreaking. With that combination I think they define 90's rock.
It is hard to compare these two bands because they define most of the 90's with their heavyness and dark and depressing lyrics/tone. I both enjoy listening to AIC and Soundgarden and I can't see how I could really choose one. However, if I had to choose one band it would be Soundgarden because I just relate to the music more and I feel the Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath influence which I totally respect. Of course AIC is awesome with Layne and Jerry, but I perfer SG more with Chris's voice.
Alice in Chains just speaks to me more than Soundgarden. Also, I don't think Soundgarden was always the best at composing songs, while Alice in Chains constantly had absolutely flawless songs. I can't think of a single AIC song I dislike, whereas I can name several Soundgarden songs that are simply HORRIBLE.
Plus I think Layne's vocals match their music perfectly.
ha ha i like how someone tries to say Staley has a better baritone voice have you never listened to 4th of july to me soundgarden is better just because of how versitile they are and there ability to make new sounds and make them work in perfect harmony both amazing bands but chris has one of the best voices in rock history
Eh...Layne and Chris kinda tie for me. I love both of their voices and they are each excellent, but in their own way. Layne is undoubtedly SHITLOADS better at screaming than Chris, while Chris is better at actual singing.
4th of July is my favorite Soundgarden track... it's brilliant. I think I like Soundgarden better cause at times they were more experimental and Chris Cornell is crazy with lyrics...
as far as who is actually better, you can't really say, because music is all just a matter of opinion and taste. you can have all the reasons in the world to like one band more than another, yet still like the later.
on that note, i personally prefer soundgarden.
i think people in general compare soundgardens more popular music, such as bhs, but if you listen to early soundgarden, you will hear why soundgarden was such a big influence on so many bands, including aic. that is the stuff i love
they both kick ass alright. But i prefer AIC on this one. Personally i think Layne has a better voice than Chris but its not that i hate Chris. I love Chris voice too, especially his high notes and his versatile vocal range. But i think his voice is kind of a replica of Robert Plant. As for Layne, his voice is simply raw, a one of a kind. Not to mention he has an amazing resonance and vibrato too. Often imitated but never duplicated. RIP Layne & long live Chris Cornell
I like Alice in Chains, but in my mind, Soundgarden were more creative, complex, and original. In Jerry Cantrell's own words, they were the "granddaddies." From Deep Six, to Sub Pop, to SST, to super-stardom, they influenced the whole Seattle scene.
lulzfactor59 2 years ago
dude i would kill myself before making that choice. but if someone put out alice in chains and a soundgarden CD next to eachother... id reach for alice in chains.....chris cornells new songs have lessen his godness
ExtraStrings 2 years ago
Soundgarden and Alice In Chains both fucking rule. Try giving Badmotorfinger and Dirt back to back listenings and you won't be able to choose anyway. RIP Layne Staley and Chris Cornell's modern career choices lol.
GrungeRock1991 2 years ago
Could you imagine the ungodly sludge riffs that could be if Cantrell and Thayil got together and butted genius?
soundgarden21 2 years ago 2
soundgarden is not even on the same level as AIC
benisdown 2 years ago
Alice in Chains wins but Soundgarden is badass
1994RockNRoll4ever 2 years ago 3
I cant choose on this one, both are so awesome.... I have listend to both as long as i can remember and i thank my older sister for showing me these bands.
nativepride004 2 years ago
Between these two bands I'd go with Soundgarden, I love em both, but I like Soundgarden a little better. R.I.P. Layne Staley
Demonoftheforrest 2 years ago 3
both are badass bands i have to vote for both. good music...
rockmusicisbest1 2 years ago 3
This is too hard. I think I would have an easier time deciding ,if i had to kill one son to save another. SG has the ball shaking, razor sharp ear piercing, paint peeling and 4 octave reaching screams from Chris Cornell, but AIC has the haunting, growling and awesome vibrato ass kicking vocals of fucking Layne Staley. SG has Kim, but AIC has Cantrell. Cornell took a "pee wee herman inspired head voice" and turned it into magic and Layne took a "I'm drunk and tired sound" and rocked it.
jmakdisi9494 2 years ago 2
people that put vs videos up are too pussy to make up their own mind or figure out they are both good. but AiC is obviously better. if your a SG fan so be it. my opinion is mine and yours is yours. but in both of our eyes our favorite is better.
siamesemilkman 2 years ago
hard decision.. im gonna have to say..
ALICE IN CHAINS AND SOUNDGARDEN. are both fucking awesome they each have their own style
jess16saint 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Meh i guess I'll add one thing though
Guitar = SG
Bass = AIC
Drums = AIC
Vocals = SG
I'm ALIVE oh iiiii uhhhh huh i'm still alive yeaaaah yeah yeah wat ... =.=
Gamagachee 2 years ago
Jesus Christ, I'm never going on these vs. videos again. It kills me seeing the results. Usually, it's my favorite band that loses, and your always using their most overrated song (Better SG and AIC songs you know)
I won't choose between these two bands though. These two bands are equally as good as eachother. Don't make me die again... I'm done watching your videos .
I'm a sensitive guy DAMMIT!
Gamagachee 2 years ago 4
both bands have way better songs than what is in this video.
frollun2 2 years ago 3
both of the songs are great ! , but i dont know who i should pick so i will vote for both . i have no other choice .
rockmusicisbest1 2 years ago
alice in chains is my favorite but soundgarden rocks too
salmon020 2 years ago 5
between these two songs...Soundgarden...R.I.P. Layne
carlito4003 2 years ago
Choosing a side might make my head explode... They both were able to change their music through all of their albums successfully... Cornell has better range but Staley has such a unique voice, especially with the accompaniment of Cantrell... Both have the capability of making poems out of most of their songs and had kick ass concerts...
MindRiotGood 2 years ago 3
they are both great but cris cornells voic wins it for me
piepie444 2 years ago
i dont even see why a decision has to be made. chris cornell and soundgarden have always been my favourite band, but i love alice heaps to. i just always put them sort of in the same league. even though they r both so different to each other, they are better then any of the alternatives. so lets not argue whos better here, letss go onto a nirvava vid and then il have an oppinion
665beyondthewheel667 2 years ago
Soundgarden. Birth Ritual, Cold Bitch, I Awake and Beyond the Wheel were too much for Alice in Chains.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
AIC hands down RIP layne
9redryder 2 years ago 2
AIC!!!!!!!
KvSrocks 2 years ago 2
in terms of epicness man in the box takes it, in terms of bands alice in chains take it.
PscottJ 2 years ago
tie.
33ryman 2 years ago
alice in chains,although they both rock
pacostacos112 2 years ago 3
I prefer AIC
ToaJoe 2 years ago 5
alice in chains barely takes this one. Both were THE creative forces behind grunge. its just that because im a fan, Staley's voice wins me over. Cornell had a voice that i cant label with words because it was just too great and unique. Even then, his voice evolved deeper into perfection when audioslave released out of exile. i just really really like staley's voice. And no, its not because he is dead. I doubt he would want to be remembered by only his death and not his incredible work.
kupodrinksmilk99 2 years ago 6
The 2 bands are 2 different worlds... can't say who's better
mjdrummerfreak 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
ur kiding me right u compare laynes voice with the other guy it is obvius that layne has better voice strong with a mix of high notes nad etc watch love hate love when he says lost inside my sick head live at seattle
grunge313 2 years ago
one song is all it takes: Beyond the Wheel (live) by Soundgarden. Layne, while still being exceptional, does not match up to Chris' vocals.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago 2
heard no complain prety nice voice but stil my personal opinion is that layne is better
grunge313 2 years ago
both great bands and chris had alot of other great bands but i think alice in chains is far better than all of them and is even one of the best bands ever (cant say that much about them with the new singer tho)
grungeforlife1 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Alice and Chains blows away soundgarden...but there both great bands...
MrHuggie666 2 years ago
Layne Staley had a better voice, IMO, and with Cantrell it sounded like god's voice. Riffs are about equal, I'd say, drumming goes to Soundgarden, bass is about equal, overall I'd go with AIC.
ToaJoe 2 years ago
Let's not forget the soloing because Thayil crushes Cantrell at executing big solos. Cold Bitch, Birth Ritual, Like Suicide... so yeah, guitar goes to Thayil.
Bias for Staley...Cornell had more range and power to his voice and his harmonies with his own voice are unbelievable as well. Cornell for the win there.
Drumming goes to SG, basses are equal. SG wins.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
both bands were so trendy with the grunge thing..that formula never worked cause theyre pretty dead right now, pearl jam took the ride with the greatest artists aside the grunge comunity & it worked cause theyre still vital,AIC sucked ass,they bored me,always the same shit,soundgarden challenged themselves from time to time but cant stand that pussy of cornell...timbaland? fuck him..kudos for matt cameron for joining a real band but gotta admit that his drumming was better on soundgarden
theachtungtree 2 years ago
soundgarden
VTGboston13 2 years ago 3
Well said.
GrungeRock1991 2 years ago
No, not Soundgarden VS. Alice In Chains.......but Soundgarden AND Alice In Chains.
GrungeRock1991 2 years ago 2
Layne's great, but we're talking about Chris fucking Cornell. Listen to Beyond the Wheel live, Birth Ritual, Into the Void and early demos and you'll see that Layne does not compare.
Even later songs like Tighter and Tighter and 4th of July show Chris' absolute supremacy as a singer.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago 3
In the end, the winner is...whoever's music you enjoy the most.
ClassicalShredMan 2 years ago
Soundgarden, alice in chains is just meh to me.
platinumluigi 2 years ago 4
Alice in Chains. There will never be a more perfect duo in rock than Layne and Jerry. Perfect vocals every time, ripping guitar, pounding drums. Everything about them is outstanding.
Dumpsterbaby1991 2 years ago
AIC by a lot
animalcrossing130 2 years ago
Cornell has a better voice than layne staley, and thats saying something, but these two bands r about even.
NVNAXS 2 years ago 7
AIC had more goods songs
but SG had song really amazing quality songs, I prefer SG but some of their songs are just really challenging to the ear
They are both great, I'd say that they are equal in terms of talent. SG harkens back to led zep when AIC is closer to black sabbath
but now AIC is back together and apparently SG is reuniting so its awesome
nave890 2 years ago 5
by ability i am referring to skill and knowledge of theory. not influence, influence is different than ability man. and that isn't true that they would be unheard of. grunge may have been less mainstream, but to say it wouldn't be known of is a bit much man.
codebabe 2 years ago 9
AIC had a billion times more passion. There will be many who disagree, but it's true.
ToaJoe 2 years ago
I agree with that statement, although I prefer SG's music. I think probably the most riveting part to what SG put out was the fact that musically, all of Soundgarden were different and pulling in different directions. That's what makes Superunknown and Down on the Upside such stunning pieces of art.
As for Alice in Chains, they were dedicated, even past Staley's death. I have to commend them for that. After Dirt and Jar of Flies, however, the music wasn't QUITE as good.
SG by a hair.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm starting to hate Soundgarden fans. They bitch about all the other grunge bands. Can't we all just enjoy them all?
I have to go with Alice In Chains because the guitarist in Soundgarden majorly sold out and also, Alice In Chains had a more 'grungy' sound anyway.
ToaJoe 2 years ago
kim thayil? how did he sell out
TwilightRev8lver 2 years ago 8
he probably means chris cornell sold out with scream and timbaland
nave890 2 years ago
How did Kim Thayil sell out? I respect your opinion, though, dude...He did Blood Swamp, which was fucking epic!
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
ALICE IN CHAINS ALL THE WAY.
xLedZeppelin25x 2 years ago
i think old soundgarden was the shit but since they went mainstream im gonna have to go with alice in chains just becuz i love mad season wich layne stanely was in
jakeass1130 2 years ago
WTF, why did you choose the censored version of man in the box? dammit, FUCK CENSORSHIP
megadethownage 2 years ago 4
They are tied, both bands kicked ass, i dont undestand why you used black hole sun, there are so much better songs
megadethownage 2 years ago 7
Soundgarden...enough said.
My respects to Alice In Chains, but Soundgarden where better.
Starvoid7 2 years ago 9
i think soundgarden had more variety in their music, because they dared to change. that was a good thing, but bad at the same time, because thats why soundgarden broke up. alice in chains is amazing as well with staley and cantrell's combined voices. i'm gonna have to go with soundgarden by a little, but at least nirvana is at the very bottom! XD
unconditionallykool 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
AIC had the most change in their music they went from metal, Grunge/alternative, to Blues, back to Pop/Alternative/Grunge wit a spice of metal
kevinAIC33 2 years ago
i love comparing them because i love them both so much. i think the only way to say which one is better would be personal preference, for which there is no scale or meter, besides poles.
loudlover 2 years ago
ALICEGARDEN!
Oscar35101865 2 years ago 7
If you want to talk technical ability there are a ton of bands who blow both AIC and SG out of the water instrumentally, but that isn't what their styles were about. It was about art and creativity. Both bands were equally artistic imo.
codebabe 2 years ago
As for being equally artistic, however, I would certainly have to agree with you. Both created two rough mosaics focused around topics like angst, depression, familial issues and addiction. Cantrell, Cornell, Thayil, Staley visualized their problems beautifully.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
for sure they did my friend :)
codebabe 2 years ago
another thing, thayil was NOT the main song writer in soundgarden, cornell was. cantrell was just as important as layne, in fact wrote most of the songs. he was also a much more sophisticated lead guitarist than thayil and used alot of his knowledge on harmony and counterpoint. Listen to the instrumental "Whale and Wasp". brilliant guitar harmonies. however thayil is a much faster player and has a sound that is just as unique. you can't compare the two. they're way different players.
codebabe 2 years ago 2
Yeah, it's a tough comparison. On the one hand, you have Cantrell with riffs from Them Bones, Would, Heaven Beside You, Man In The Box...matched by Thayil's excellence with Rusty Cage, Jesus Christ Pose, Let Me Drown, My Wave, 4th of July, Beyond the Wheel, Flower...
But for solos (despite the fact that Cantrell had some crazy solos in Man in the Box, Them Bones, Would, etc.), Thayil wins by a longshot. Like Suicide, Never the Machine Forever, Beyond the Wheel, Spoonman, etc.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
Not really man. Thayil's solos were faster but his melodic sense wasn't as good. Cantrell has an excellent sense of melody. And btw, most of those riffs that you mentioned aren't thayil's, they were written by Cornell.
codebabe 2 years ago
Melody does not necessarily equate to talent or technical ability...Thayil was more technical and still retained melody (eg. Like Suicide).
You are right about a lot of the riffs not being his, but it furthermore proves that both Thayil and Cornell wrote excellent riffs consistently. I don't think Cantrell could have ever come up with something like Flower's badass riff, nor Rusty Cage's riff.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
Melody has ALOT to do with talent.A good sense of melody is what makes a great songwriter.tech ability isnt the only thing that determines talent. why would cantrel not be able to write the rusty cage riff?its not that hard of a riff to play.Another thing cantrell can do is write brilliant vocal harmonies. and thats something SG couldn't do as well. Most of thayills solos especially ones from BadMotorFinger and before are atonal and dont have alot of melody. Btw i like Soundgarden more.
codebabe 2 years ago
Well, clearly the sign of two different bands. SG never tried to be melodic; they messed around with psychadelia much more than AiC did. SG took risks in songs like Applebite, Beyond the Wheel, Big Dumb Sex, Head Down, Superunkown; all visualized by Cornell and Thayil and all brilliant songs.
SG did not employ vocal harmonies very often, but that does not relate to who is the better guitarist. Cantrell never blew on his guitar, nor could he, in his wildest dreams, ever hope to play Rhinosaur.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
there again you're talking about technical ability. and that isn't true about SG, they were very melodic at times. Black Hole Sun, Burden in My Hand, etc etc
codebabe 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
btw, after just listening to rhinosaur i have to say, what is so hard about that and why couldn't cantrell play it? I think you're thinking cantrell is almost more limited than he really is. he had chops. he just didn't play fast often.
codebabe 2 years ago
I wouldn't classify the band as a melodic styled band at all. Sure, they were psychadelic (BHS) and melodic (BINH, MW are good examples), but overall, they were a band that didn't rely on melodicism, especially from Screaming Life to Badmotorfinger.They were, as you said, atonal, for most of their career.
As for Rhinosaur...Cantrell's great, but he certainly could not produce with the solo, which fits the song perfectly.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
I agree cantrell was more melodic
megadethownage 2 years ago 6
how the fuck can you compare these two songs? man, youtube is full of sick heads. i get a headache every time i see so much stupidity.
rock on SG and AIC!!!, there are still some people which simply love you without comparing you
tibyv8 2 years ago 3
Can i say tie?
NirvanaInChains95 2 years ago 2
soundgarden alice in chains arnt grunge
adamypadamy 2 years ago
why are you commenting in this video if you dont even know alice in chains are grunge,???
music history lesson, 90s big four grunge bands, alice in chains, soundgarden, pearl jam, nirvana
yutubecop 2 years ago
again, it's all up to opinion. Some even argue that the big four, when they gained popularity, weren't even grunge any more. eg, Pearl Jam were alt. rock, SG and PJ alt metal and Nirvana just punk.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
grunge was just a name, a label. soundgarden and aic are more metal
doesthisnamefit 2 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
That is the msot retarded comment I have ever seen...
MasterTC1994 2 years ago
But they are not "grunge", Master TC1994. He made a good point. Grunge is just a term Mark Arm from Mudhoney coined and the media went with. These bands are all alternative metal bands who became mainstream during the 1990s. Like Fragile said, grunge is the label, music is alternative metal.
And Cantrell is an amazing singer and has cool riffs, but he has NOTHING on Thayil. "Like Suicide", "Never the Machine Forever", "Beyond the Wheel" secure his place in alt. metal history.
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
yes they are. grunge music has no definite sound. its an aesthetic applied to alternative hard rock bands that rose to prominence in the early 90s.
codebabe 2 years ago
The bands from this era made me love music again. It was a breath of fresh air. Unfortunatly we are in Marketing hell nowadays. It is a shame that we are growing old with this music. It was a time of all times in music. That and the 60's.
All three bands Soundgarden, AIC and Nirvana are awesome. Personally the most talented was prob Soundgarden but Cobain wrote some great stuff. LS and Cantrell are more Hard Rock than the punk and Classic influences of the other two.
DelPescatore 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
soundgarden is better ive seen them both live soundgardens better aic is good though nirvana tops them all no question
bforte123 2 years ago
haha thats funny Nirvana?
q94sucks 2 years ago 9
...you should have stopped talking after "aic is good"
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
nirvana was more successful. that doesn't mean they were more talented in every aspect. thats silly. in terms of ability they were the weakest of the big grunge bands.
codebabe 2 years ago 6
Soundgarden's musicianship/talent merged with their creativity and rawness easily put them over top of AiC in my opinion. Each member was amazing...Cornell, tho, I think, is probably the biggest reason I love SG so much. Absolutely incredible what he can do.
andrewjacobmack 2 years ago 3
alice in chains
2ndthesselonians2 2 years ago
Soundgarden's making a comeback!!
daydreamnation54 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
REally???????
Marcosb16 2 years ago
oo thats hard
LesPope123 2 years ago
soundgarden black hole sun is a masterpiece and chris cornell's voice is better than alice in chain's singer
kurtcobain628 2 years ago
SOUNDGARDEN :)
NABV90 2 years ago
Matt Cameron is sick
SoulTravellers 2 years ago
Soundgarden hands down
SoulTravellers 2 years ago 2
I personally am a bigger AIC fan, although these are both top five favorite bands. Cornell has a much more dynamic and versatile voice. He can reach any note. Layne has an awesome unique voice that is really cool to hear. Alice's great harmonies put them ahead for me. Both bands have great musicians.
Str8OutOfLine 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Alice in Chains owns soundgarden.
arowwood12 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
layne has way better voice
wwemattlord1 3 years ago
Are you srs?
Mecawally 3 years ago 4
wat do u mean by srs
wwemattlord1 3 years ago
Kim Thayil...Genius, inspiring, unbelievably amazing
His riffs and solos stike a deep, emotional nerve inside of me that no other guitarist ever could.
Soundgarden--hands down
FellOnSoundGarden 3 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Yeah w/e. lol. Take what you said about Thayil, multiply that by 1000 and u get Jerry Cantrell
MasterTC1994 2 years ago
I like SG, but I LOVE AIC!!!!!!!!
I love Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell!
chartreused 3 years ago 2
Let's judge by instrumental skills:
Singer- Soungarden (close match)
Guitarist- uh... tie? Cantrell has better riffs but Thayil can play awesome solos
Bassists- Soundgarden
Drums- Soungarden
Song writing- Alice in Chains
I prefer AIC
ebeaver15 3 years ago
Love both bands...gosh i'd do my top 3 fav. bands excluding STP...shit but i'm sorry cornell Chris does it bettter...there's just more emotional in AIC!!! but wow t2o great bands man you cant compare!!!!!
Aliceinchainhead 3 years ago 2
Love them both, the best of 90's rock, bar none.
7d7e7f7 3 years ago
lets not compare radio friendly hooky songs-lets try a little deeper shall we-lets go to the place were true,honest,raw creativity has the price the price of exposing your soul to those of vanity-it s easy being cryptic-not so much when poetic-fuck-really miss you layne
Lupin386 3 years ago
In my opinion, Soundgarden outrule Alice In Chains. I like AIC but I LOVE SG.
And Thayil's style of playing is so much cooler than Cantrell's. It's like a sludgy Iommi. :)
Hofilias 3 years ago 7
soooo true soooo true they both have a familiar but different sound you know....I say familiar cuz you ever heard Godsmack by AIC sounds like a thayil riff...but Cantrells riffs goes great with Laynes vocals....two of my fav. Guitarist can't comptare the Gods of strings man!
Aliceinchainhead 3 years ago
ahahahaha...I actually searched it up on Wikipedia...he does have this "Riff Lord" award. But that's Metal Hammer's opinion...clearly it doesn't judge stars like Hendrix as well.
Kim Thayil is, according to Rolling Stone and many other respectable critics, the 100th greatest guitar player for all time. Not just riffs, but technically. He did things with the guitar that no one had done before and significantly changed his style in just about every song.
In my opinion, Thayil was slightly better.
daydreamnation54 3 years ago
I LOVE both bands, but AIC is my all time favorite. They combine great vocals with personality, guitar, EVERYTHING. Soundgarden did all that too, but AIC beats them out.
redsoxrockies 3 years ago
hear people arnt comparing the bands they're comparing the songs. both theses band bands have so many diffrenet songs.
90srock 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i like black hole sun thats the only song i like by soundgarden but alice in chains
darkxreaper7 3 years ago
Honestly, depends on what song is playing. I prefer hearing Man in the Box than Black Hole Sun, but I also prefer hearing Pretty Noose than Grind...but I can't live without either band.
BubbleStinkBoy 3 years ago
BOTH!!! ;)
scrumptious90 3 years ago
TEMPLE OF THE DOG:))
zdradzbina 3 years ago 4
Really tough
Vocals- Chris..although layne has so much fuckin soul.
Guitar- Jerry...Kim is rad too but jerry's better.
Bass -Prolly Mike Inez from AIC(he played for ozzy!!)
Drums -Impossible,apsolutely impossible...Sean kicks ass but Mike is a legend.
DeFlePpardRoxX 3 years ago
Chris for sure
Definitely Kim Thayil, though. Jerry's nowhere close to what Kim had. Listen to Rhinosaur, Like Suicide, Black Hole Sun, Sub Pop Rock City, Beyond the Wheel...
Bass...tied between Shepherd and Inez. Ben Shepherd had some complex shit though...Spoonman isn't exactly a piece of cake. The whole Down on the Upside and Superunknown was difficult.
Drums...definitely Matt Cameron. He switched tempos so many times and the time signatures were nuts! (esp. Never the Machine Forever)
SG!!!
daydreamnation54 3 years ago 4
ya i actually agree now with matt on drums...ill argue kim beating jerry tho..and ben is very underrated but mike is more wll known and has done more with his career.
DeFlePpardRoxX 3 years ago
Kim Thayil is way better than Jerry. There's a reason he's the 100th best guitar player of all time according to Rolling Stone. Just listen to all the Soundgarden B-sides out there. You'll see through the solos (Sub Pop Rock City, for example)
daydreamnation54 3 years ago
i dont usually argue ppl on this site....but i really belive jery is better....let the fans vote
Jerry Cantrell Or Kim Thayil
DeFlePpardRoxX 3 years ago
Personally, I prefer Alice In Chains, I love both bands, and I have all Jerry's solo stuff, but I think it is quite obvious when solos are compared that Thayil is better. I do, thoughm think some of Jerry's riffs are insane.
wanniator 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Cantrell by miles
kevinAIC33 3 years ago
"haha 100th best guitar play" that's shit haha.. Jerry Cantrell is the "RIFF LORD" beating out guys like Jimi Page, Slash, Hendrix and so on. Don't even get me started. and as far as music Alice In Chains does it for me i'll play some soundgarden, but you just have to relize when both minds come together it's brilliant. Sap: "Right Turn"
kevinAIC33 3 years ago
There is no way that Jerry Cantrell beats Jimmy Page or Hendrix. What the hell are you on?
Soundgarden were way rawer and heavier than AIC with better lyrical content and ultimately more talent. Let's face it... Heaven Beside You is a joke for lyrics. "Be what you want to be". The album Superunknown is more talented and sophisticated than Dirt and Badmotorfinger runs over Facelift (although the first four songs are very good on that album)
daydreamnation54 3 years ago 3
right turn is a fuckin amazing song you have to love when cornell comes in for the last minute he has one of the greatest rock voices of all time but thayil is better than cantrell riff lord ha listen to flower BADASS RIFF cantrell cant compete with that and you have no argument for cantrells solos over thayils
badgersfan257 3 years ago 4
r u crazy? AS IF HE BEATS JIMI HENDRIX AT GUITARING!!!!!
agyness4eva 3 years ago 10
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Hey yo, not only did he beat Hendrix, but he beat out Jimi Page. Don't even question me, I didn't give him the award it was part of a decades of rock awards thing, and If I had a choice i'd give it to him anyway b/c he is the master of riffs.. Go cry b/c Cantrell will always be the "RIFF LORD"
kevinAIC33 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
and theirs a reason why jerry cantrell is the 60th best guitarist and the number one "Riff Lord" songs like Damn that river, Grind, What the hell have I. Shits on anthing Thayil will ever produce. And while re-searching Thayil he is the 171st best compared to Cantrells number 60
kevinAIC33 3 years ago
So you base who the better guitar player on what some stupid list says? You should probably just leave...
GrungeRock1991 2 years ago
My opinion is on who is better not a list i'm making a point b/c someone said that Jerry was listed lower, Jerry Cantrell is the "riff lord" and will forever be the "Riff Lord"
kevinAIC33 2 years ago
Gotcha. Anyways it doesn't really matter to me. Both of them are great in their own way, Cantrell and Thayil.
GrungeRock1991 2 years ago
Soundgarden is more talented!
Rageptl 3 years ago 6
I love SG but nothing they have done touche the heartfelt emotion of a lot of AiC's work. Thats what sets them apart because to me you can't go wrong if you're speakin from the heart.
JakeN1985 3 years ago
so had to decide. they are really equall in talent to me and very much alike in genre. their songwriting is about equal as is the atmosphere of their sound. but i prefer alice in chains because i just happen to prefer their style of sound. and i think they have a little more depth and versatility, and they have accomplished more when it comes to the amount of great songs and albums i believe.
Brettwbeyer14 3 years ago
Its hard to decide. I love both bands. Soundgarden are far more diverse and versatile but AIC had more soul and that moody aura that embodies them. Anyway if i have to pick, I'll pick AIC. Layne's haunting vocals complemented with his tormented stage presence are pure god. Also Jerry's bleak and nihilistic tone are simply groundbreaking. With that combination I think they define 90's rock.
Bagas 3 years ago
S O U N D G A R D E N!
daydreamnation54 3 years ago 7
SOUNDGARDEN OF COURSE,AIC IS SHIT...
negativecreep20 3 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
you're shit.
JakeN1985 3 years ago
u too
negativecreep20 3 years ago 2
yea but you more tho
JakeN1985 3 years ago
It is hard to compare these two bands because they define most of the 90's with their heavyness and dark and depressing lyrics/tone. I both enjoy listening to AIC and Soundgarden and I can't see how I could really choose one. However, if I had to choose one band it would be Soundgarden because I just relate to the music more and I feel the Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath influence which I totally respect. Of course AIC is awesome with Layne and Jerry, but I perfer SG more with Chris's voice.
keel89 3 years ago 4
Fuck thats a hard choice.SoundGarden no wait Alice in Chains!!!!FUCK ITS TO HARD TO DECIDE!!!!
Agoat90210 3 years ago 3
estos son los dos grupos q me gustan mas...
y son tan diferentes q no se puede saber quien es mejor q otro...
sabiht 3 years ago
I will pic SoundGarden
frontsized 3 years ago 8
I'd pick AIC over Soundgarden ANY day.
Alice in Chains just speaks to me more than Soundgarden. Also, I don't think Soundgarden was always the best at composing songs, while Alice in Chains constantly had absolutely flawless songs. I can't think of a single AIC song I dislike, whereas I can name several Soundgarden songs that are simply HORRIBLE.
Plus I think Layne's vocals match their music perfectly.
:]]
distillersdemon 3 years ago
agreed i have bothe ALC and sound gardens albums and a few sound gardens song are shit
TheHudson22 3 years ago
I like soundgarden better
but i have to agree with you, some soundgarden songs seem kinda filler
nave890 3 years ago 2
muy bueno lo q dices
todas las bandas grunges fueron buennas y sigen siendolo hasta hoy
whitegarden456 3 years ago
ha ha i like how someone tries to say Staley has a better baritone voice have you never listened to 4th of july to me soundgarden is better just because of how versitile they are and there ability to make new sounds and make them work in perfect harmony both amazing bands but chris has one of the best voices in rock history
badgersfan257 3 years ago 3
Eh...Layne and Chris kinda tie for me. I love both of their voices and they are each excellent, but in their own way. Layne is undoubtedly SHITLOADS better at screaming than Chris, while Chris is better at actual singing.
Both amazing talents though.
=)
distillersdemon 3 years ago 2
4th of July is my favorite Soundgarden track... it's brilliant. I think I like Soundgarden better cause at times they were more experimental and Chris Cornell is crazy with lyrics...
punk91 3 years ago 5
layne stayly definately better singing better drums better guitarist
nashman19751999 3 years ago 2
as far as who is actually better, you can't really say, because music is all just a matter of opinion and taste. you can have all the reasons in the world to like one band more than another, yet still like the later.
on that note, i personally prefer soundgarden.
i think people in general compare soundgardens more popular music, such as bhs, but if you listen to early soundgarden, you will hear why soundgarden was such a big influence on so many bands, including aic. that is the stuff i love
loudlover 3 years ago
I love this song, The video Ive never seen. But Ill watch just for you! hagd
remy33p33 3 years ago 2
Eso de Vs
Sobra
Mejor di k es un tributo a estas 2 excelentes badnas de grunge.
anticomercial93 3 years ago
Seems like a draw to me!! But I prefer Soundgarden, I love them!
Audioslavetuga 3 years ago 2
Alice In Chains
Singer-Layne
Guitarist-Jerry
Bass-Soundgardens
Drums-Sean
ecwmatt 3 years ago
they both kick ass alright. But i prefer AIC on this one. Personally i think Layne has a better voice than Chris but its not that i hate Chris. I love Chris voice too, especially his high notes and his versatile vocal range. But i think his voice is kind of a replica of Robert Plant. As for Layne, his voice is simply raw, a one of a kind. Not to mention he has an amazing resonance and vibrato too. Often imitated but never duplicated. RIP Layne & long live Chris Cornell
Bagas 3 years ago 5
Yup
Actually, Chris is my favorite vocalist
But I might be changing over to Layne
I fucking love both
I'd pick AIC though
ultramegaunknown 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
soundgarden is way better than alice in chains! chris cornell kicks ass
phillykid36 3 years ago