After 2021’s ‘Brighten’ showed a somewhat lighter take on Jerry Cantrell’s trademark sound, more often than not with an acoustic foundation, its follow-up ‘I Want Blood’ is a rock album first and foremost. And while the album does not quite reach the pitch black depths of Cantrell’s masterpiece ‘Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2’, it still is a rather dark affair. ‘I Want Blood’ might just be the most consistent set of songs Cantrell has been involved with since Alice In Chains’ comeback album ‘Black Gives Way to Blue’ as well. It’s a must-have for those who enjoy anything Cantrell has done through the years.

While his trademark sound is so defined that everything Cantrell will ever do will likely resemble Alice In Chains – tormented vocal harmonies, heavy yet surprisingly transparent riffs, a very creative use of dissonance – it does seem like he imposes fewer restrictions on himself on his solo records. The punky arena rock of the title track – think Velvet Revolver meets Queens of the Stone Age – is quite a unique composition within his discography, and many of the riffs just seem to come from a different place than usual. Cantrell strikes a perfect balance between the familiar and occasional surprises here.

Being a rock album first and foremost, ‘I Want Blood’ is full of excellent riffs. It’s easy to see why ‘Vilified’ was chosen to be the album’s first single, as it feels closest to Cantrell’s main band, and sums up the overall sound quite well. It is built upon a heavy whirlwind of a riff, and subtly switches between 6/4, 7/4 and 4/4 meters throughout the song. ‘Off the Rails’ springs from a riff that is played on the higher strings, and is just a really pleasant rocker. The guitar parts in ‘Throw Me a Line’ are surprisingly rich harmonically, while ‘Let It Lie’ borders on doom metal.

However, ‘I Want Blood’ isn’t just all heavy, all the time. In fact, the more spacious ‘Echoes of Laugher’ might just be my favorite track on the album. Its foundation of an acoustic guitar playing strategically and effectively chosen lower notes is dynamically enhanced with additional layers when sections call for it, which ultimately makes it a very dark, emotionally intense song. ‘Afterglow’ is an excellent nineties-style semi-ballad with a very effective, almost fragile lead vocal performance, while closing track ‘It Comes’ combines ominous arpeggios with a sense of resigned melancholy in its somewhat more open chorus and a more powerful middle section.

Long-time readers will probably know that ‘Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2’ is my favorite album of all time. Although ‘I Want Blood’ is notably shorter at 46 minutes, it is probably the closest Cantrell has come to that album’s effective blend of overwhelming darkness and accessible moments since. Or definitely since ‘Black Gives Way to Blue’. ‘I Want Blood’ is the work of an artist who still has the urge to prove and satisfy himself creatively, despite easily being able to sit back and enjoy past successes. Many of Cantrell’s peers should take notes.

Recommended tracks: ‘Echoes of Laughter’, ‘Off the Rails’, ‘Vilified’, ‘Let It Lie’