Alice in Chains are the heaviest of the "Big 4" grunge bands, so it's no wonder that they toured with metal bands like Pantera and Slayer in the early Nineties, and became a metalhead favorite.
Count among AIC's metalhead fans Jesse Leach, of Killswitch Engage fame. In celebration of the Seattle sons' sophomore album, Dirt, turning 30, Leach revealed to Metal Hammer his favorite song in the band's entire catalog: "Heaven Beside You," off 1995's self-titled album. See what he had to say about it below.
"Heaven Beside You"
I was in my final year of school when I first heard "Heaven Beside You." I loved Alice in Chains and I remember thinking, Oh, this is different, slower and less heavy. It's dark poetry set to music — the vibe is bluesy, but with that AIC feel that only they can pull off. I also love that Jerry takes lead vocals on this one, which really reveals his importance to the sound and soul of the band. A lot of people lean hard on Layne's legacy, and I get that, but without Jerry there is no Alice in Chains. To this day, they're still putting out great music, and I'll be a fan for as long as they continue doing what they do.
