Alice in Chains Rainier Fog 2LP (Smog Color Vinyl)

Alice in Chains' Rainier Fog is a haunting auditory journey that immerses listeners in a dense atmosphere of introspection and melancholy. Released in 2018, the album's title track, "Rainier Fog," encapsulates the band's signature grunge sound, blending gritty guitar riffs with Layne Staley's successor William DuVall's soulful vocals. The music unfolds like a misty landscape, mirroring the album's title inspired by the ominous Seattle weather. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and reflection, weaving a narrative that navigates through personal struggles and the passage of time. The song's dynamic shifts create an emotional ebb and flow, accentuated by Jerry Cantrell's masterful guitar work.

Rainier Fog stands as a testament to Alice in Chains' ability to capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest's moody ambience while delivering a powerful and resonant musical experience.

Rainier Fog is, from front to back, a strong and lean record, one that benefits from its familiarity because the standard tricks — the grinding guitars and droning harmonies — now seem to carry not a whit of angst. This is music made from a band that has been through the wringer and is happy to settle down and play, and there's an undeniable appeal to that open heart, particularly when it's camouflaged underneath such nominally heavy music.