January 11, 2012 20:35

Alice In Chains start work on new album

Guitarist Jerry Cantrell confirms grunge veterans are writing the follow-up to 'Black Gives Way To Blue'

Photo: Matt Foxley

Alice In Chains have started working on a new album.

Guitarist Jerry Cantrell has revealed the band have begun writing the follow-up to their 2009 comeback album 'Black Gives Way To Blue'.

He also said the four-piece are planning to head into the studio in the coming months and explained that he has recently been struggling with a shoulder injury.

Cantrell told Rolling Stone:

I had shoulder surgery. I had to get some bone spurs and torn cartilage taken care of, so that put me back a little bit. But we’ve been writing through the whole process.

Although Elton John appeared on their previous record, their first in 14 years after the death of original singer Layne Staley, the axeman said the new record won't feature any guest stars.

He added: "That's just the universe lining up right. I had nothing to do with that other than asking. What he is, beyond anything else, is a fucking amazing musician.

"And he's the guy who inspired me to start playing music, so to have him play on one of our records – especially such a meaningful record, where we're restarting our musical careers and saying goodbye and honoring our buddy – it's a tremendous thing."

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