Layne Staley’s lost journals to be published as ‘This Angry Pen’

The lost journals of Alice In Chains‘ late Layne Staley are set to be published as a new book titled This Angry Pen: The Lost Journals of Layne Staley.

The 176-page book is being released by Weldon Owen Publishing and will be distributed by Simon & Schuster. According to a description shared on the Simon & Schuster website, This Angry Pen: The Lost Journals of Layne Staley will feature “handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more.” The book is set for release on November 11 and is available for pre-order here.

A synopsis of the book read: “For the first time, this stunning collection unveils the deeply personal and creative side of the legendary Alice in Chains frontman. Through never-before-seen poetry, raw handwritten lyrics, intimate scribblings, and heartfelt notes, Layne’s inner thoughts and emotions come to life, offering a glimpse into the mind of a musical genius who defined a generation.”

It continued: “Through Layne’s scribblings and heartfelt musings are a window into the emotional depths of a man who gave so much of himself to his art and his fans, even as he struggled with his own battles. For fans new and old, this is an opportunity to connect with Layne’s artistry and humanity in a way that’s never been possible before. His story, told through his own words, creations, and the lives he forever changed, is a testament to the enduring power of music, art, and the human spirit.”

Born on August 22 1967 in Bellevue, Washington, Staley began his musical career in the 80s, playing in various glam rock bands in Seattle, most notably in the group Sleze which would go on to rename themselves as Alice N’ Chains in 1986.

The following year, Staley joined forces with guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Starr and drummer Sean Kinney to create the legendary heavy metal/grunge band Alice In Chains. The group would go on to become one of the most influential grunge bands of the ‘90s, alongside the likes of Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam who made up the “Big Four” of the genre. Their 1995 self-titled LP landed the top spot on the Billboard 200 charts.

Staley’s passed away in 2002 from an accidental overdose of a speedball (a blend of heroin and cocaine). His body was found in his apartment in Seattle two weeks after his death.

In other news, Jerry Cantrell recently revealed that he turned down a role in Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film Almost Famous.

The post Layne Staley’s lost journals to be published as ‘This Angry Pen’ appeared first on NME.