10 Metal Bands That Went Acoustic
1. Jar of Flies - Alice in Chains
Most metalheads can weather the storm of an acoustic guitar for normally one song. After all, artists can do what they want to do, and it's important for them to get this stuff out of their system so they can transition back into the facemelting solos and the like. Then again, Alice in Chains didn't really have much to worry about when they released Jar of Flies.
Shortly after putting out their drug opus Dirt, this collection of acoustic tunes turned into one of the most celebrated pieces of music of the group's entire career. Granted, that was at the expense of Layne Staley's deteriorating health, which is on full display on almost every one of these songs. As smooth as the melodies are, you can practically hear his cry for help on songs like Don't Follow and Nutshell, warning other rock stars not to go down the same dark path that he found himself in.
Even though we do get pieces of electric guitars on songs like No Excuses and Whale and Wasp, they are clearly not the star of the show, looking to just add a bit of flavor to the pure melancholy coming from the unplugged material. Whereas most metalheads just tolerate the unplugged stuff from their favorite acts, Alice in Chains is the one band who knows how to make even acoustic guitars sound dour and sad.