Alice In Chains’ 1995 self-titled third album was the beginning of the end for the grunge titans’ classic line-up but it’s a miracle it got made at all. The Seattle quartet were in absolute disarray in the wake of their era-defining, multi-million-selling 1992 second record Dirt and at various points in the run-up to what became Alice In Chains, it appeared doubtful that they might ever get it together to make a follow-up.
Chief, although not solely to blame, to their inner-turmoil was frontman Layne Staley’s heroin addiction. Things came to a head in summer 1994, the day before a planned tour in support of Metallica. Staley arrived at rehearsal high and drummer Sean Kinney stormed out, declaring he would never play with Staley again. The dates with Metallica were nixed and Alice In Chains went their separate ways for six months, unsure if they would ever come back together again.
