The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (Alice in Chains album)

Overview

The album finds the band working with the lineup established after their reunion: guitarist and primary songwriter Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez, drummer Sean Kinney and vocalist/guitarist William DuVall. Musically it draws on the dense, sludgy textures and acoustic passages familiar from the band's 1990s work, while incorporating modern production and a focus on vocal interplay between Cantrell and DuVall. Lyrically the songs deal with mortality, skepticism, interpersonal conflict and personal reflection.

Composition and notable tracks

Tracks on the album vary from riff-driven hard rock to quieter, moodier pieces. "Hollow" announced the record with a heavy opening and layered harmonies; "Stone" mixes melody and weight; "Voices" highlights the band's vocal arrangements. Other songs continue the band's interest in contrasting acoustic and electric textures, with Cantrell's guitar work and the dual singing providing a through-line across the record.

Recording and production

The sessions followed the band's reestablished working relationship and approach to arranging songs as a unit. The production emphasizes a thick, resonant guitar tone and clear foregrounding of the multi-part vocal lines, aiming to preserve the rawness of live performance while allowing detail to come through in the studio mixes. The band balanced straightforward rock dynamics with layered overdubs to create atmosphere without losing immediacy.

Reception and legacy

On release the album received a mix of praise and critique: many reviewers and listeners welcomed the familiar elements of Alice in Chains' sound and noted the strong performances, while some critics sought greater stylistic risk. The record supported a tour and contributed several tracks to the band's live repertoire. As part of the post-reunion era, it helped solidify William DuVall's position in the group and demonstrated the band's commitment to producing new studio work on their own terms.

Singles and further information

• "Hollow" — lead single that emphasized the heavier side of the band.
• "Stone" — melodic and riff-centered, often featured in setlists.
• "Voices" — showcases vocal layering and evocative atmosphere.

For more details about the band and this release see the Alice in Chains profile and the album's dedicated page: Alice in Chains and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here.