Legendary Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell took over a packed Citizens House of Blues on Tuesday night, as the I Want Blood Tour makes its way across the northeast, joined on the road by rock band Filter.
Fans gathered early in the evening to make sure to catch Filter’s opening set, which started to an almost sold-out crowd. The band took their spots, hiding in the shadows, kicking off with the explosive “You Walk Away.” Apart from a few bursts of light, the room was almost entirely in the dark, bringing a sense of controlled chaos. Fans got to hear the classic hit “Take A Picture” halfway through the set, a sort of breather to an otherwise fast and aggressive performance. Despite being more on the quiet side, lead singer Richard Patrick would briefly address the crowd to show his appreciation and introduce a few of the songs. “Hey Man Nice Shot” would close Filter’s set, successfully igniting the room.
After a brief intermission, the lights went down again and the crowd’s energy was electric. The band would slowly take their spots, including Better Lovers’ vocalist Greg Puciato, who has been a steady collaborator in recent years. Cantrell made his entrance, with his unwaveringly cool demeanor, as they kicked off the night with “Psychotic Break” before immediately moving into Alice In Chains’ “Them Bones.” Cantrell would feature several tracks off his latest album, I Want Blood; from the soulful “Afterglow” to the anthemic “Off The Rails,” the new material was celebrated and fit right in with classics like Boggy Depot‘s “Cut You In.”
The audience was very involved throughout the night, with a little bit of a humorous tone: in true daytime television fashion, fans would chant “Jerry, Jerry” at odd times, with Cantrell seemingly playing along. He and Puciato would have a fun argument about how his name doesn’t work as well, which prompted the crowd to chant “Greg, Greg” immediately. A small technical issue also allowed Cantrell to treat the audience to a snippet of Aerosmith’s “Sick As A Dog” before quickly adjusting and getting back to business.
As always, the setlist features some of Alice In Chains’ biggest hits, and this time it was no exception: notably, all tracks came from Dirt, including the addition of the haunting “Hate To Feel.” Greg Puciato’s powerful vocals were on full display during “Would?”, with the crowd howling along to every word. After a quick faux exit, Cantrell returned with “Held Your Tongue” and “Brighten,” closing the show with the iconic “Rooster.” With the promise to return very soon, fans left amazed as always by one of grunge’s most iconic guitarists, responsible for an unforgettable evening.
Photos and words by Maria Alejandra Mata
