The ongoing debate of which period of Alice in Chains reigns supreme— the current era featuring William DuVall sharing vocals with Jerry Cantrell, or the original era dominated by Layne Staley and Cantrell— is igniting passionate discussions on this week’s installment of Chuck’s Fight Club on the Loudwire Nights radio show. Fans and critics alike are eager to explore the distinct qualities and contributions of both periods, making it a hot topic for music lovers everywhere.

What cannot be disputed, however, is that Alice in Chains has enjoyed remarkable success during both of these significant phases in their history. The band burst onto the music scene in the early 1990s with the release of their groundbreaking album Facelift, which set the stage for three critically acclaimed records before they took an extended hiatus. During their run with Staley and Cantrell at the forefront, they crafted a dark, rich catalog of music that included iconic tracks such as “Man in the Box,” “Would?,” “Them Bones,” “Rooster,” “No Excuses,” “I Stay Away,” “Got Me Wrong,” “Heaven Beside You,” “Over Now,” and “Get Born Again.” Unfortunately, Staley’s struggles with health issues and substance abuse ultimately curtailed the band’s activities, culminating in his tragic passing in 2002, which marked the end of an era.

Following a period of uncertainty and creative divergence where Cantrell primarily pursued a solo career, the band reemerged in the late 2000s, heralding a new chapter in their history. The introduction of William DuVall, the former vocalist of the band Comes With the Fall who had established a friendship with Cantrell during tours, brought fresh energy and perspective to the group. DuVall stepped in to tackle the vocal parts originally sung by Staley, paving the way for the band to create new music once again. To date, this reincarnation of Alice in Chains has produced three albums, featuring standout tracks such as “Check My Brain,” “Your Decision,” “Lesson Learned,” “A Looking in View,” “Hollow,” “Stone,” “Voices,” “The One You Know,” and “Never Fade.” These songs have significantly contributed to the band’s resurgence in the rock music scene, solidifying their legacy.

As is customary with all battles featured in Chuck’s Fight Club, Loudwire Nights host Chuck Armstrong will kick off the discussion during the 8 PM hour of Monday’s show. He will present compelling arguments for both musical eras throughout Tuesday and Wednesday’s episodes, while fans can actively engage by ranking their preferences using the voting tool located at the bottom of this post. The excitement culminates on Friday afternoon, when the final voting results will be tallied, and the winning era will be celebrated with a dedicated rock block during Friday’s Loudwire Nights show in the 8 PM hour.

READ MORE: Discover the Influence of Layne Staley on Jerry Cantrell’s Singing Journey

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