Alice In Chains Album Due in September Through Virgin

Back in late April, the Los Angeles Times reported that iconic Seattle grunge masters Alice in Chains would be signing a deal with Virgin Records, and that the band's Nick Raskulinecz-produced comeback LP would be in stores on September 29. But there was never an official confirmation from the band that they had inked the deal until now, it seems.

According to a press release, the ink has dried, and Virgin will be releasing the band's first album in over a decade, called 'Black Gives Way To Blue,' in September.

"It's been a meaningful journey and a hell of a story," the release quotes guitarist Jerry Cantrell as saying. "We're very excited to have a home at Virgin/EMI and are looking forward to writing new chapters in the book of Alice." Drummer Sean Kinney called the effort "a record that we're really proud of," and added that the band's "got a team in place that's passionate about the music and we're excited for the fans to hear the new songs."

Of course, the as-yet-untitled album will be the first studio offering recorded without former frontman Layne Staley, who died in 2002 of a drug overdose. Stepping into his awfully large shoes is William DuVall, who is perhaps best known for his work with Comes With the Fall. According to the band's publicist, vocals on the new disc will be split evenly between DuVall and Cantrell, and that hence, both share lead vocal duties.