Review: Alice in Chains, Deftones

Logic dictates that Alice In Chains has no business headlining concerts in 2010. When its front man succumbed to personal demons in 2002, his band had released only a handful of albums. The grunge movement the group helped popularize in the 1990s collapsed under its oppressive hubris years ago. Against all odds, however, Alice In Chains' concert Saturday was as artistically impressive as it was entertaining.

The concert concluded after midnight, almost 90 minutes after Alice In Chains opened with "Them Bones," but few in the audience of approximately 4,500 at Sandstone had left in spite of the frigid temperature.

While still ferocious, today's Alice In Chains is not the same band that exploded out of Seattle 20 years ago. The most obvious difference is the presence of William DuVall, a masterful showman with a piercing voice reminiscent of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden. His sleek professionalism supplants the unpredictable weirdness of the late Layne Staley. Grit has replaced gloss, and grunge has become just one facet of Alice In Chain's expanded repertoire.

The unlikely transformation is led by Jerry Cantrell. His stupendous performance Saturday served as an authoritative heavy metal guitar clinic.

He's become one of rock's most formidable guitarists. His sonic vocabulary included the wrenching blues shadings of Jimi Hendrix on "Rain When I Die." Elsewhere he unleashed gargantuan riffs that rivaled the stomp of Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page. Yet unlike many guitar heroes, Cantrell doesn't engage in theatrics. His riveting playing starkly contrasted with his complete lack of charisma.

Cantrell's subtle work on "No Excuses" revitalized the 1994 hit. New songs "Check My Brain" and "Your Decision" highlighted Cantrell's solid skills as a songwriter, although the latter offering temporarily slowed the constant waves of crowd surfers. Only once was the band eclipsed by its formidable past. DuVall's well-meaning impersonation of Stayley's distinctive vocals on the hushed introduction to the band's signature song "Rooster" was painfully awkward.

It served as another reminder that only Cantrell's extraordinary talent keeps the band relevant.

The unlikely renaissance of Alice In Chains was made all the more impressive by its ability to withstand comparison to excellent opening acts Deftones and Mastodon. With a style that pits convulsive rage against a pleasant groove, Deftones' 50-minute set was akin to taking a luxury liner through a sea of fire. Even though the screams attempted by dynamic vocalist Chino Moreno sometimes resulted in pitiful squeaks, he and his band impressed. Several songs, including the wrathful thrash of "7 Words," recalled Suicidal Tendencies' early eighties punk hit "Institutionalized."

A steady funk undercurrent on songs including "Around the Fur" betrayed the band's link to the disreputable nu-metal movement. Deftones' melodic sensibility and sonic adventurousness allow them to remain viable long after the style faded. A rendition of "Diamond Eyes," the title track of the band's shimmering new album, lacked the razor-sharp edge of the recorded version. Faulty sound was to blame.

Subpar sound reproduction also marred Mastodon's 40-minute outing. The band's albums successfully combine the ambitious sprawl of Pink Floyd with the ominous grind of Black Sabbath. Mastodon may be a thinking person's stoner rock band but the quartet battled Saturday's muddy mix with rugged guitar solos and raw power. Nimble dynamics gave way to ponderous sludge. While effective, the approach failed to showcase Mastodon's real strengths.

In spite of these setbacks, the exceptional triple bill of Mastodon, Deftones and Alice In Chains is likely attain legendary status among metal fans. The night's monstrous riffing, frenzied pit action and inspiring musicianship represented the best in contemporary metal.

| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star

Comments

[Penny]

Good review, Bill. Felt like I was there...

[gonzo]

What a show! Mastodon kicked ass, Deftones rocked, and Alice In Chains blew my fragile little mind. Thanks for the good review, Bill.

[mankvill]

Mastodon is awesome!

[Bubba Brown]

Yeah, well I think ALICE IN CHAINS should carry on. This was my 2nd time of experiencing 'em live now with their new frontman. Haven't heard their new CD yet - think they have one out, don't they? Simply TOO many new release to keep track of. DEFTONES were electrifying! Plus, MASTODON was a great opener. A nice season closer for Sandstone.