Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and a handful of other rock and metal legends share thoughtful tributes to Alice In Chains’ Layne Staley in the upcoming new book This Angry Pen of Mine: Recovering the Journals of Layne Staley.

The book features photos of the late vocalist from all stages of his life, his poetry, journal entries, song lyrics, artwork and more. It’s a must-have for fans of Staley who want a closer look into his life and personality before and during Alice In Chains.

In addition to Staley’s works, the This Angry Pen of Mine includes testimonials from family members who describe the kind of person the singer was offstage, as well as words from fellow musicians and other people who worked with him in an artistic capacity.

Mustaine, Trujillo, Taylor were three of the icons who contributed to the book and shared personal accounts of Staley, from working with him to simply being a fan of him.

Loudwire collaborated with Seattle music publication Nehi Stripes Seattle to give fans an exclusive look into This Angry Pen of Mine.

Keep reading to see some bits of what each of the aforementioned musicians wrote and for more details about the book.

What Did Dave Mustaine Write About Layne Staley?

Mustaine recalled hearing a cassette of “Man in the Box” and liking the song but wondering how the radio would handle a song with the word “shit” in the lyrics. He noted it was Megadeth’s idea to have Alice In Chains join the Clash of the Titans tour with them and Slayer in the early ’90s.

He also shared a story about a time he went skydiving with Staley and Mike Starr while Alice and Megadeth were on tour.

This is Dave Mustaine and I am giving you a story.

When Layne and I went with the band to go skydiving in Europe, we had been out on tour together. My publicist at the time, Val Janes, who I think worked with Alice in Chains, had been cruising around with me and she played a promotional cassette, it may have been a CD by then but it was long ago so it may very well have been a cassette, of “Man in the Box.” I thought that was pretty good, but I had said, “I don’t know how rock radio is going to react to somebody saying ‘Shit.’” As I suspected, it was beeped for a while, but Mother Nature does things the way she does and so does the Father. We had mentioned having Alice in Chains come out on tour with us for the Clash of the Titans Tour because I liked them so much. They were on tour for a little while when the single “Would?” hit and they left the tour and went on to greatness.

During those times on tour though, we had been traveling together, and we were up in Scotland of all places, the top of Great Britain, and as you can imagine, the winds that came across at the top of that island were incredible, cold, biting, and it was very windy. Everything that you don’t want to skydive in. However, for the day we wanted to go, we had a break in the weather. I can’t remember who all went; I think former bassist Mike Starr went . . . I believe it was all four of us. I remember heading to the jump site and everyone was noticeably nervous and anxious for this thing to happen. I don’t know how many of the guys would have passed up on jumping if someone else blinked first, but I think everyone was kind of stuck in the commitment to go skydiving with me, so we went through the training part, which is pretty short in the UK.

In the United States, they make you train for a while. I did an accelerated free fall, which is when a person jumps by themselves with their own individual parachute, whereas the guys had done tandem, which is where they have a jumpmaster who’s got a gigantic parachute and a harness that a passenger can hook to the front of it. The two of them jump out of the plane together, deploy the chute, and hopefully arrive in one piece happily ever after.

We had done all the training; the moment was upon us; we were starting to get into the plane and that is when it started to become clear when no one wanted to be the first one to get into the plane. So I jumped in the plane first; then that was it; everyone else jumped in. It was probably 15 short minutes before we had gotten up to altitude which was equivalent in meters to 13,000 feet which is a little higher than what we jump out of in the United States. You see; in United States altitude we jump at is 12,500 feet; you deploy your chute at 4,500 feet. Naturally they didn’t have any devices that Americans use for safety such as an automatic altitude device which you wear on your harness; if for any reason you hit the wing or tail or anything on your way down; if you’re unable to deploy your chute if you’re jumping alone like I did; this device will blow off a pilot chute; that will open up and pull out my main chute which hopefully will deploy and deliver whoever had to use AAD device safely to ground.

Although they’ll be hitting ground hard because if they’re unconscious they’re coming in at about 10-20 miles per hour depending on wind and all that stuff. So once we got in air; I don’t remember order we jumped out in but when we got on ground boys had become men. And it was one of funnest times in my life with another band. We usually do stupid stuff like go-karting or bowling or dumb stuff like that but this was magnificent opportunity to get close to guys. I would do it again if I could but promised my wife I wouldn’t be jumping anymore after Justis was born.

What Did Corey Taylor Write About Layne Staley?

The Slipknot vocalist referred to Alice In Chains as his “favorite band” and recalled the very first time he heard “Man in the Box” in his tribute. He also revealed that hearing “Would?” for the first time changed his life because it made him realize he could also write music about anything particularly uglier parts of life that cause pain.

I have two distinct memories about my favorite band Alice In Chains: first time I heard them and time they changed my life.

The first time I heard them was obviously “Man in the Box.” Already there was shift happening in music in general but AiC was first time I heard all elements that really resonated with me: darkness metal rock amazing lyrics. And it all circled swarmed around Layne Staley’s voice. From that moment on he was one of my biggest influences favorite singers.

The day they changed my life was day I heard “Would?” I was sitting on my couch movie Singles hadn’t even come out yet video premiered on MTV. The bass rumbled from my Zenith and I was never same. The sheer power that Layne sang with was unreal especially outro as modulation descended into pseudo-Phrygian scale chords allowed Mr. Staley pour every inch soul pain into every note he chose.

It was in moment that realized could write about anything wanted: addiction depression obsession anguish . . . didn’t need look clichés that’d been bombarded with for years. I was free.

I can say with all honesty: No Layne no me. Wouldn’t have been brave enough explore things I have. So Mr. Staley sincerely . . . Thank you.

What Did Robert Trujillo Write About Layne Staley?

Trujillo’s tribute to Staley was perhaps most personal as he described his first impression of vocalist what he like once they got know each other on friendlier level.

Trujillo toured with Alice In Chains in 1993 while he was Suicidal Tendencies recalled their offstage shenanigans feeling like “summer camp.” He recalled Staley having fire-breathing contests hanging out by pool just have gentle demeanor overall.

Layne Staley not man you could judge by appearances you were fool if you saw him first without knowing him or tried to.

He kind lanky dude — 6 ft 1 in weighing around 150 lbs — but truth Layne actually huge giant size uplifting spirit residing towering heart soul most loudly music. recall Jerry (Cantrell) telling me how he had been repeatedly floored by strength power ginormous presence Layne’s voice—certainly hell lot more than 150 lbs’ worth more like some behemoth Paul Bunyan.

I first met him at Club With No Name Highland Hollywood circa 1991. Alice In Chains newer band around town fresh from Seattle excited meet me because I band Suicidal Tendencies! He said “Hey Robert you have meet my girlfriend—she loves you guys fact she says Suicidal better than my band Alice In Chains!” I like “Whaaat??” we had good laugh!

Yeah his positivity relentless quest have fun stay festive stood out me when first met him. He warm witty guy sure back then There absolutely no ego Layne—just genuine love respect.

In 1993 Suicidal toured Australia Alice In Chains huge success their album Dirt everyone’s favorite album at time supporting big fun sense humor flowed from Layne through band It summer camp its finest—never dull moment Layne would these insane late-night fire-breathing contests hotel bar (Bacardi 151 fuel) Rocky George (Suicidal’s guitarist)—this little dude taking Big Rocky fire-breathing limits! Poor Rocky ended blistered lips singed hair—all good fun course—but looking face day after events say took slight beating!

I spent tour trying responsible maintain “on-tour Aussie surf gym workout regimen” yet despite fire contests other nocturnal shenanigans first person I’d see at 9:00 every morning Layne Staley by pool basking sun huge smile glass OJ polite “Roberto.” I’m like This motherfucker’s superhuman! Not just voice stamina edge attitude.

My favorite individuals always folks who grounded humble yet still maintain hoodrat warrior quality passion-driven creativity gushes from heart They walk earth wisdom still battling demons It would become clear Layne wounded warrior angel spirit would pour through voice songwriting lift us all.

As know life isn’t easy Layne sadly knew sharper than most yet constantly shared magic spirit And listen music beautifully helped make think about Paul Bunyan–sized spirit soul impossible not imagine Layne watching us all infectious smile content knowledge beautiful fire-breathing energy continues infuse us all.

READ MORE: Layne Staley’s Lost Journals Show Alternate Lyrics to Alice In Chains Classic

Where Can You Get a Copy of ‘This Angry Pen of Mine’?

The This Angry Pen of Mine: Recovering the Journals of Layne Staley will be available Nov. 11 through publisher Simon & Schuster can also be purchased through Amazon.

Additonally Nehi Stripes Seattle hosts annual Layne Staley Tribute show Seattle co-host first-ever Layne Staley tribute concert Boston Mass Saturday (Nov. 8) bands Nothingsafe Real Thing There will be 20 copies This Angry Pen of Mine available purchase show.

The show honor lives legacies Staley Starr while also raising awareness support addiction recovery Proceeds show donations go Layne Staley Memorial fund via Therapeutic Health Services.

More information show can found venue’s website tickets can purchased through Ticketmaster.

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