Muscial Analysis: Alice in Chains vs Godsmack

As with all movies, they feature music. Throughout the months music will periodically be discussed on this blog in a special section I like to call Musical Analysis. In part one we will discuss the similarities between Alice in Chains and Godsmack.

Both Alice in Chains and Godsmack have had their music featured in movies. Godsmack is the more popular choice (See the film The Scorpion King)but Alice in Chains hangs around still. They have had their music featured in such films as Singles and The Perfect Storm. The difference cinematically is that when an Alice in Chains song is used in a movie, it is used primarily as background fodder. In Singles they are the band playing in the club. In The Perfect Storm their song "Man in a Box" is playing on the radio same goes for "Rooster" which comes on the radio in Terminator: Salvation. Godsmack on the other hand has their music playing for pure stimulation (again see Scorpion King). But if you were to listen to these bands on the radio they sound very much alike.

Alice in Chains was formed in the early 90's and were one of hundreds of bands to come out Seattle but one of the few to strike some sort of success pre-Nirvana. They're trademark was the howling vocals of front man Layne Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell. Their voice harmonized together to create some of the most beautiful sounds of the 90's (Hear I Stay Away) and also some of the most haunting. (Hear Angry Chair ). They were also noted for being a band coming out of Seattle yet not having a muddled sound like so many others. They stick out and when you hear an Alice in Chains song you know your listening to Alice in Chains.

Godsmack came about around 1998 releasing a self titled album. Comparisons between the two bands are immediate since Godsmack references Alice in Chains as a major influence (and seeing as Godsmack was a song title on Alice's 1994 hit album Dirt) and once you hear the second track off their debut album, you can hear it. Godsmack can either appeal to Alice in Chains fans as being a heavier, angrier version of their beloved group or insult them by coming off as a copy cat band (See here Puddle of Mudd and Creed). Either way Godsmack can get away with it but only barely. They do this by (much like Alice in Chains) creating a new sound unique to only them. Godsmack has the sound of almost a middle eastern influence(probably why they were the choice to write songs for The Scorpion King). To hear this in it's most obvious, and probably best form, hear the song Serenity.

Both bands are still around today although Alice in Chains is with out it's voice Layne Staley who died of a drug overdose in 2002. The similarities between the two bands are undeniable. Alice in Chains has acknowledged that Godsmack sounds incredibly like them, but excuse this because Godsmack cites them as their major inspiration and vice versa. It's down to the fans to decide what they prefer. Both have legions of loyal fans who love to get caught up in the copy cat/Homage debate. But for now, just let the music play as both bands sing, "Let 'em fight and we'll sort 'em out later.