For fans of Alice In Chains, Jerry Cantrell’s guitar style and harmonized vocals have always been the standout elements of the band.

The blues-oriented darkness has carried on throughout Cantrell’s four solo records, but last year’s I Want Blood was a return to a murkier and edgier sound in comparison to the 2021 album Brighten.

He let that darkness through during his career-spanning set at the House of Blues in Dallas last month.

Since Filter had to cancel its opening slot on the tour, El Paso rock group Sparta stepped in and began the evening with a sound that didn’t veer too far from Brighten.

Cantrell’s band consisted of guitarist Zach Throne, bassist/vocalist Eliot Lorango, and drummer Roy Mayorga- all musicians that have played at one time or another with Corey Taylor in Stonesour or on his solo run.

When Cantrell covered Alice In Chains classics like “Would?” and “Rooster,” Lorango’s powerful, soaring voice was well suited for performing in place of Layne Staley’s passionate vocals.

Obviously fans were ecstatic to hear hits from Alice In Chains’ catalog, but the show was a reminder of how consistently impressive Cantrell’s solo material has been over the years.

His set started off with I Want Blood single “Vilified” before switching into “Dickeye”- the only track performed off of Cantrell’s first solo album Boggy Depot.

He ended the night with “It Ain’t Like That” and the crowd favorite “Rooster.” There wasn’t a lot of movement or flashy production, but Jerry Cantrell’s influential sound and creative songwriting didn’t need the accompaniment.