When Alice in Chains [ tickets ] frontman Layne Staley died of a drug overdose in 2002, the long-dormant band presumably died with him. His unique voice and eerie delivery was such a defining element of the Seattle-based group's sound, it seemed unthinkable that a post-Staley incarnation of the group was possible.

Seven years later, surviving members Jerry Cantrell (guitar/vocals), Sean Kinney (drums) and Mike Inez (bass), along with new lead singer William DuVall, have accomplished something truly impressive: they have released a new Alice in Chains album worthy of the band's legacy.

Is Staley missed? Absolutely. Would the album be better if he was singing on it? Well, it would certainly feel more "right," for lack of a better word. Staley's presence wasn't an option, though, so you have to spot the group a few points when weighing "Black Gives Way to Blue" against Staley-era classics like "Dirt" and "Facelift."

Thankfully, "Black Gives Way to Blue" feels far more familiar than I expected ... much of which can obviously be attributed to the musicianship of the group's core power trio, but a great deal of which can also be chalked up to the fact that Cantrell, who often sang on AIC's Staley-era albums, handles a substantial amount of lead vocals on the new set.

Obvious standouts after a few listens include: "A Looking In View," a punishing, grunge-rock masterpiece that, of the 11 tracks on "Black Gives Way to Blue," sounds most like vintage AIC ("Them Bones" comes to mind), with Cantrell and DuVall's voices working in perfect tandem; and "Last of My Kind," a cut dripping with classic-sounding AIC sludge-ridden guitar riffs, and the one song on the set during which DuVall fully steps to the forefront.

Mood-wise, "Black Gives Way to Blue" has the same dark, plaintive feel of old-school AIC. No surprise, given that the material was largely inspired by Staley's passing. Determining if the set will take root as deeply and cast a shadow as long as that of its predecessors requires many more listens. At first blush, though, it isn't hard to imagine that the late singer would be pleased by the tribute, and would approve of the way the group is moving on without him.