Alice in Chains: The Untold Story
Product ID: 339731240
The first comprehensive biography of Alice In Chains from its genre-forging years on the hard edge of grunge to the tragic death of lead singer Layne Staley and the band's comeback. Alice in Chains were among the loudest voices out of Seattle. They were iconic pioneers who mixed grunge and metal in ways that continue to influence today's artists, and theirs is a story of hard work, self-destruction, rising from the ashes, and carrying on a lasting legacy. Four years after their first meeting at a warehouse under Seattle's Ballard Bridge, Alice in Chains became the first of grunge's big four - ahead of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden - to get a gold record and achieve national recognition. With the charismatic Layne Staley behind the microphone, they became one of the most influential and successful bands to come out of the Seattle music scene. But as the band got bigger, so did their problems. Acclaimed journalist David de Sola delves beneath the secrecy, gossip, and rumor surrounding the band to tell their full story for the first time. Based on a wealth of interviews with people who have direct knowledge of the band, many speaking on the record for the very first time, de Sola explores how drugs nearly destroyed them and claimed the lives of Staley and founding bassist Mike Starr, follows Jerry Cantrell's solo career and Mike Starr's life after being fired from the band, and chronicles the band's resurrection with new lead singer William DuVall. From their anonymous struggles to topping the charts with hits like "Would?," "Man in the Box," and "Rooster," Alice in Chains reveals the members of the band not as caricatures of rock stars but as brilliant, nuanced, and flawed human beings whose years of hard work led to the seemingly overnight success that changed the music scene forever. Review: Must Buy For Any AIC Fan. - As a metal head, AIC is the only grunge band I listen to, particularly due to their brooding,dark and melancholic songs and Layne Staley is without a doubt one of the most unique voices to have graced the grunge/rock scene. The book gives an unbiased look into the lives of the band, the fame they hit, the struggles they go through and of course.......... heroin. As dark as the book is, it doesn't paint false pictures of any of the band members and maintains a consistent neutral approach till the end (something I found gratifying). The chapters explaining Layne's relationship with Demri are especially revelatory. I only wish the author had been able to gather more interviews from Layne's musician friends (especially vocalists like Phil Anselmo,Sebastian Bach etc) but considering this is an 'unofficial' book, he deserves nothing but praise for all the effort. Verdict : Must Buy For Any AIC Fan. Review: Excellent purchase if you're a chains fan. - Awesome!
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| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,598 Reviews |
V**I
Must Buy For Any AIC Fan.
As a metal head, AIC is the only grunge band I listen to, particularly due to their brooding,dark and melancholic songs and Layne Staley is without a doubt one of the most unique voices to have graced the grunge/rock scene. The book gives an unbiased look into the lives of the band, the fame they hit, the struggles they go through and of course.......... heroin. As dark as the book is, it doesn't paint false pictures of any of the band members and maintains a consistent neutral approach till the end (something I found gratifying). The chapters explaining Layne's relationship with Demri are especially revelatory. I only wish the author had been able to gather more interviews from Layne's musician friends (especially vocalists like Phil Anselmo,Sebastian Bach etc) but considering this is an 'unofficial' book, he deserves nothing but praise for all the effort. Verdict : Must Buy For Any AIC Fan.
A**I
Excellent purchase if you're a chains fan.
Awesome!
C**A
Libro interessante su una delle band più interessanti del grunge
È in lingua originale ma assolutamente leggibile per chi mastica un po’ di inglese. Libro completo e esaustivo sugli AIC. Triste nelle ultime 100 pagine da quando viene registrato il tripode in poi con Layne Staley che scende agli inferi e non ritornerà più. Per gli appassionati degli AIC e del grunge . Consiglio assolutamente
R**Y
Cracking read
Great read for any A.I.C. fan.
B**7
Fantastic Read!
De Sola writes a riveting, no-holds-barred account of an incredible band, with amazing talent and a chaotic and tragic history. His reporting style is unbiased and thoroughly researched, taking extreme caution not to bend the facts to sensationalize situations where it was not always clear, or agreed upon by those involved, what really happened. It is no doubt that Alice In Chains paved a lot of the way for the Seattle grunge movement and will always be remembered for their pioneering sound. Dave's book does the band justice in detailing their rise and ultimate achievement of stardom and all the roadblocks and heartbreak encountered along the way. It's truly an amazing story and, thankfully, is still developing now with a renewed vibrance that should only continue to enhance Alice In Chains great legacy! Great writing, David De Sola! I look forward to a future addition that brings us up to date on the bands future endeavours.
A**E
A very ethical, professional and thorough approach to sensitive themes
The author sets a very trustworthy and dignified tone as he covers all of the bases. A must-read!
M**R
A Deep, Honest Look at Alice in Chains-A Must for Fans
As a huge Alice in Chains fan who grew up listening to them and bands from that era, this book was so good, I honestly couldn’t put it down. Reading this gave me an even deeper appreciation for their music and the people behind it. Alice in Chains: The Untold Story is a must-read for anyone who loves the band or is curious about the Seattle music scene. David de Sola does an incredible job digging into the band’s history, the personalities behind the music, and especially the complex and heartbreaking story of Layne Staley. It’s an emotional read, but also incredibly factual and well-balanced. What really stood out to me was how thoroughly researched the book is. It doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of their journey, but it also highlights their artistry, resilience, and influence. The interviews and behind-the-scenes details brought everything to life in a way that felt honest and respectful. There’s not a ton of information out there about Alice in Chains compared to other bands, so I was impressed by how much I learned. It gave me a much deeper understanding of who they were and the legacy they left behind. The book was also easy to read, well-paced and clear and it arrived in perfect condition. If you’re a fan, this book is a must read! Absolutely worth reading!
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