In the 1990s, the grunge movement dominated the world music scene. Bands like Nirvana , Soundgarden , and Pearl Jam reached the peak of their careers and released albums that would become landmarks in rock history. Within this context, one band stood out for incorporating heavier influences, flirting with heavy metal: Alice In Chains . Known for their dark sound and introspective lyrics, the group also gained notoriety for the characteristic vocal duet between Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell , a trademark of the band that set them apart within the vibrant Seattle scene.
However, this vocal dynamic wasn't always present. In an interview with Gibson TV, transcribed by the website Metal Injection , Jerry Cantrell revealed that he initially had no intention of taking the microphone. “I never really wanted to be a lead vocalist. I just wanted to play guitar, write songs, and do backing vocals. Partly because that's much easier to do. And besides, we had Layne Staley. I didn't need to sing anything, he handled it. I've never heard anyone who sounded like him, and I never will,” the guitarist stated. Cantrell also highlighted Staley's unique style, saying that “nobody really sounds like him.”
Layne Staley convinces Cantrell to take over the microphone.
The change began to be felt during the recording of the band's first EP. Cantrell was encouraged by Staley to take on lead vocals on some tracks. According to Cantrell, his friend argued that, since those were his lyrics, he should sing them. “Dude, those are your lyrics. No offense, but they probably mean more to you than to me. I love singing them and all that, but they're your words. You should sing some of them,” the guitarist recalled. Even though reluctant, Cantrell was eventually convinced by Staley and, over the years, his voice became increasingly prominent in the band's compositions.
This evolution resulted in several Alice In Chains classics, such as “Down In a Hole,” “No Excuses,” and the acclaimed performance of “Brother” on MTV Unplugged , considered one of the most iconic performances of the band's career. “The coolest thing about all of this is the way we sang together, our two voices kind of formed a bigger voice. Sometimes you can clearly tell when it's him singing, you can tell when it's me, but often, when we sang together, you can't distinguish who's who. It kind of creates… creates something unique,” said Cantrell.
This vocal chemistry between Staley and Cantrell ended up being consolidated as one of Alice In Chains' main trademarks. Cited by critics and fans as one of the elements that contributed to the band's sonic identity, in the midst of a grunge scene brimming with talent, the combination of Staley and Cantrell's voices was able to create a unique atmosphere that helped differentiate the group and secure their place in the history of 90s rock.
