Alice In Chains Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Discussing the discography of Alice In Chains is always a profound experience.

Each album is a dense, powerful chapter in a story of rock history. Trying to rank them is a challenge every fan has debated.

This is our deep look at the Alice In Chains albums ranked, guided first and foremost by fan sentiment. It gives us a real sense of what many consider the best Alice In Chains album.

We'll also see how popularity data provides a different view.

Ranking Alice In Chains's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. Dirt (1992)

As a landmark album of 90s rock, `Dirt` is an unflinching and powerful exploration of addiction, war, and despair.

Its sound is relentlessly heavy and sludgy, yet filled with hauntingly beautiful melodies and vocal harmonies.

The combination of Jerry Cantrell's iconic riffs and Layne Staley's soaring, pain-filled vocals creates an experience that remains a masterpiece of the era.

Key tracks:

• Would?
• Rooster

It is no surprise to see `Dirt` claiming the top spot. For the vast majority of fans, this album is the definitive Alice In Chains statement.

Its raw honesty and immense musical power have cemented its legacy as not just a great record, but a cultural touchstone.

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2. Alice In Chains (1995)

The band's self-titled third album, often called "Tripod" by fans, is arguably their darkest and most claustrophobic work.

It trades some of the furious pace of `Dirt` for a slower, more grinding, and hypnotic heaviness that is uniquely unsettling.

This was the final studio album with vocalist Layne Staley. It stands as a grim, powerful, and essential final document of that era.

Key tracks:

• Heaven Beside You
• Again

Securing the second spot, the self-titled album is revered by fans for its uncompromisingly bleak and heavy atmosphere.

Its unique, sludgy grooves are often cited as a challenging but deeply rewarding part of the band's catalog.

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3. Facelift (1990)

`Facelift` is the debut studio album from Alice In Chains, released on August 21, 1990.

It introduced the world to their distinct sound, becoming the first album from the grunge movement to be certified gold.

With tracks like "Man in the Box," the album established the band's blend of heavy metal grit and dark, alternative rock sensibilities.

Key tracks:

• Man in the Box
• Bleed The Freak

The band's debut rightfully holds a special place in the hearts of listeners. It was the world's explosive introduction to their signature sound.

Its raw energy and metallic edge laid the essential groundwork for the masterpieces that would follow.

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4. Jar Of Flies (1994)

`Jar Of Flies` was released in January 1994 and quickly made history.

It was the first EP ever to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

Remarkably written and recorded in just one week, the release showcases the band's brilliant acoustic and melodic side.

Key tracks:

• Nutshell
• Rotten Apple

Though technically an EP, `Jar Of Flies` is widely considered one of the most essential releases in the entire Alice In Chains discography.

It proved the band could be just as heavy and emotionally devastating with acoustic instruments, creating some of their most timeless and beloved songs.

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5. Black Gives Way To Blue (2009)

This fourth studio album marked the band's powerful return after a nearly 14-year gap between records.

It was the first album without original singer Layne Staley and introduced the immense talents of new vocalist and guitarist William DuVall.

The emotional title track serves as a direct tribute to Staley and even features a moving piano performance by Elton John.

Key tracks:

• Check My Brain
• Your Decision

`Black Gives Way To Blue` represents a triumphant and deeply emotional comeback for both the band and its dedicated fanbase.

Many listeners praise this record for masterfully honoring the band's legacy while forging a new, vital path forward.

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6. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013)

`The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here` is the band's fifth studio album and their second with William DuVall.

Work on the record was notably delayed after Jerry Cantrell required surgery on his shoulder, but the band returned with focus and intensity.

The album successfully built upon the sound of their comeback, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart.

Key tracks:

• Stone
• Hollow

This album firmly solidified the modern era of Alice In Chains, proving their reunion was built to last.

While some fans will always gravitate to the classic era, the heavy, churning riffs and excellent songwriting here are undeniable.

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7. Rainier Fog (2018)

`Rainier Fog` is the band's sixth and most recent studio album.

The title is a nod to Mount Rainier, with the title track serving as a tribute to the iconic Seattle music scene that birthed the band.

Fittingly, this was the first Alice In Chains record in 22 years to be recorded in their hometown of Seattle.

Key tracks:

• The One You Know
• Never Fade

The band's latest effort is a testament to their enduring power as songwriters and performers.

Though it sits at the end of this fan ranking, it is widely considered a strong, consistent album that proudly carries the band's signature sound into the future.

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Picked your top Alice In Chains classic? Check out Alice In Chains's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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Alice In Chains albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Alice In Chains's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	Dirt	1992
2	Facelift	1990
3	Jar Of Flies	1994
4	Alice In Chains	1995
5	Black Gives Way To Blue	2009
6	The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here	2013
7	Rainier Fog	2018

So there you have it, a comprehensive look at the Alice In Chains albums ranked.

We've explored the passionate consensus of the fans alongside current engagement data.

Ultimately, the "best" Alice In Chains album is a deeply personal choice. The records connect with us in different ways at different times in our lives.

What does your personal ranking look like? Which album holds the top spot for you?