Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains Announces First New Solo Album in Over 18 Years Brighten for October 2021 Release and Shares New Video for “Atone”

Jerry Cantrell, co-founder and lead guitarist of Alice In Chains, has announced that he will be releasing his first solo album in over 18 years titled Brighten on October 29. The musician dropped the project’s lead single “Atone” and its music video on July 30.

The album will feature eight original songs and a cover of Elton John’s “Goodbye,” the closing track off of John’s 1971 album Madman Across The Water. Cantrell co-produced the album with engineer Paul Fig and film composer Tyler Bates. The project will feature prominent rock musicians like Gun N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan and Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums. “Atone” and the rest of Brighten will include background vocals from Greg Puciato, lead singer of electronic supergroup The Black Queen and metalcore band The Dillinger Escape (prior to their disbandment in 2017). Puciato’s solo debut album titled Child Soldier: Creator of God landed the top spot for mxdwn’s Top 50 Best Albums of 2020.

“Madman Across The Water is one of my favorite records of all time,” Cantrell said about covering John’s “Goodbye.” “Out of respect to Elton, I wouldn’t include it unless he said it was okay…so I reached out to Elton, he listened to it, and told me ‘You should absolutely use it.’ I got the signoff by the man himself. I couldn’t think of a better way to close the record!”

Cantrell’s last solo project was a double album titled Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 that dropped in 2002. Since then, Cantrell has continued to perform with Alice in Chains. The band’s latest project, Rainier Fog, was released in August 2018. 

“I’ve been in the band for almost 34 years now,” said Cantrell about Brighten. “It’s always my first and foremost commitment, but it’s nice to explore different things and add another chapter to a growing body of work. After the last AIC tour wrapped, I geared my mind towards the possibility of making another record of my own.”

“Atone” features a more Americana sound with Cantrell’s twangy vocals and aggressive guitars. The black and white music video displays Cantrell walking around locations like the iconic Joshua Tree and the Salton Sea.

“Atone” is available everywhere. To pre-order Brighten, click here.

Brighten Tracklist

Atone
Brighten
Prism of Doubt
Black Hearts and Evil Done
Siren Song
Had To Know
Nobody Breaks You
Dismembered
Goodbye

Photo credit: Raymond Flotat