With Alice I Chains in hibernation currently fans have been graced with a a bevy of William DuVall-related material (New solo record, Neon Christ compilation, producer for Chained Saint’s latest) as well as not one, but now TWO new Jerry Cantrell solo releases! Following 2021’s Brighten, Cantrell is back with a different kind of record for the upcoming I Want Blood.
With a voice that’s as prevalent as DuVall and synonymous with Alice In Chains in general it’s inevitable that there will be comparisons on any solo release Cantrell puts out so there’s already added pressure with each new release under the JC name. Luckily the singer/songwriter/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist knows how to get the job done each time with I Want Blood bringing out some big guns in terms of guests but also bringing out the sonic artillery with a record that vastly differs from Brighten in the heaviness it carries on each note sung, plucked, hit and more. Yep, kids, if you’ve been clamoring for a straight Heavy outing from the AIC axe master then this one’s not to be missed.
“Vilified” is a scorching riff-fest stage setter built from one solid guitar refrain that crackles and simmers as a sort of foreshadowing of what’s to come with some added low end heft from Robert Trujillo (Infectious Grooves) and absolutely haunting vocals from Cantrell while “Off The Rails” is driven by an otherworldly and hypnotic guitar line as Trujillo (Also of some West Coast band called “Metallica”) lends some signature bass again.
“Afterglow” is classic Jerry Cantrell and something that’s a timeless Hard Rawk totem fit for I Want Blood, any previous JC release and definitely any AIC album with the cool cucumber that is the title track ambling its’ way in next with Velvet Revolver’s Duff McKagan and former Ozzy Osbourne sticksman Mike Bordin as the guest rhythm section on a track that’s got a vibe akin to modern noise from The Stooges with Cantrell’s opening vocal line especially giving some Iggy Pop feels.
“Echoes Of Laughter” (Co-written by Cantrell and composer Tyler Bates) features frequent Cantrell collaborator of late, Greg Puciato (Better Lovers), on backing vocals for this downtrodden delight that’s kind of the epitome of Grunge with McKagan (Also of Guns N’ Roses!) contributing some more bass rumblings before “Throw Me A Line” continues the trend and pace of just fabulous Rawk anthem after fabulous Rawk anthem with sweltering solos, soulful yet unearthly Cantrell vocals on top, and the steady thumping from drummer Gil Sharone (Stolen Babies, who plays on most I Want Blood tracks except where noted).
“Let It Lie” is a big open guitar-laden heavy Doom-y number with Bordin (Also! In Faith No More!) dropping by once again to accent the dirge-like nature of it all and backing vocals from Lola Colette (Who also appears on “Echoes Of Laughter”) followed by “Held Your Tongue” which starts quietly enough with a solitary vocal line from Cantrell before a vibrant explosion of sound courtesy of Cantrell’s guitars, Sound FX from Maxwell Urasky, and Vincent Jones’ keys (Which also add textures to “I Want Blood” and “Echoes Of laughter”) for one last blast of bombast before the finale. The honor of ending I Want Blood goes to the eerie six and a half minute “It Comes” which is like something that’d tread the muck and mire of Alice In Chains or the Boggy Depot swamps.
I Want Blood arrives on October 18th through Double J Records with pre-order and pre-save options available now when you head here or here. For more from Jerry Cantrell, including where to catch him live supporting the new record like on the just announced North American tour with Filter as support which hits Boston’s House Of Blues on February 4th, follow the socials across the interwebs when you click here, here, or here.