Jerry Cantrell’s latest album, I Want Blood, released on October 18th on Double J Music, marks a dark and intense return to form. While 2021’s Brighten saw Cantrell exploring lighter, more positive themes, I Want Blood is its shadowy counterpart—a sinister, brooding work that digs deep into the darker side of his artistry. With roots tracing back to his iconic band Alice In Chains, the album plunges into the heart of heavy, doom-laden rock, with a depth that fans will find familiar yet fresh.
Cantrell has once again assembled an exceptional lineup of musicians, including Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) and Robert Trujillo (Metallica) on bass, drummers Mike Bordin (Faith No More) and Gil Sharone (Team Sleep), and vocal contributions from Lola Colette and Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan). Their collective talent provides the perfect backdrop for Cantrell’s signature guitar work, which is as mesmerizing as ever. Together, this ensemble creates a sonic landscape that is both flawless and unnervingly dark, setting the stage for an album that feels like a descent into shadows.
The album kicks off with Vilified, a grunge-fueled track that confronts the rise of AI, bringing with it an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, lit by Cantrell’s searing guitar licks. His voice, as powerful as ever, delivers the song’s ominous themes with unwavering authority. Next comes Let It Lie, a Black Sabbath-inspired piece that delivers a visceral punch with its doom-laden riffs, showcasing Cantrell’s ability to craft heavy, hard-hitting music that still feels relevant after decades in the industry.
Despite its darker themes, I Want Blood offers moments of twisted joy. The title track is a standout, a hook-laden rock anthem with an undercurrent of malevolence, while Echoes of Laughter pulls Cantrell briefly back into the western territory explored on Brighten. The haunting Hold Your Tongue channels the eerie vibe of Blue Öyster Cult’s (Don’t Fear) The Reaper before taking a sharp turn back into a steely alt-rock sound.
The album’s climactic moment arrives with It Comes, a bleak yet beautiful track that harks back to Alice In Chains classics like Down in a Hole and Rooster. Cantrell’s haunting refrain, “Let me go, it’s all over,” lingers long after the final note, leaving listeners with a profound sense of despair and closure.
In I Want Blood, Cantrell delivers a flawless work of classic rock with an unflinching edge, a soundtrack for a world that’s as dark and unforgiving as the music itself. It’s a brilliant exploration of darkness, executed by one of rock’s enduring legends.
