With a snarling menace and ashamed venom, this is one of the band’s finest moments of misery. Eerie, ominous, and a revealing insight into the fucked up carnival Staley had inside his head.

This primal, gut-wrenching howl, which sticks two razor-blade-edged fingers up to conformity, was quite clearly something of an inspiration to former Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver mainman, Scott Weiland.

Cantrell steps up and provides lead vocals for this gentle yet haunting acoustic number. With Staley contributing perfect harmonies in the background, this fine moment shines the spotlight on the special connection the pair had.

Songwriter Jerry Cantrell reluctantly presented this song to the band, fearing they’d reject it for being too “soft”. He needed have worried, though, as this black ballad and its heart-aching hopelessness became a firm fan favourite.

After a long period of seclusion following the death of his girlfriend, Staley re-emerged to record two songs with AIC. Sadly, they were to be his final songs, and this ethereal psychedelic trip was one of them.

This folk-laden, charismatic ballad, that once again sees Cantrell taking on most of the vocal duties, was reminiscent of previous EP Jar Of Flies. It was also the highlight of the AIC’s disappointing third album.

The subtle groove and sun-blushed melody that is the first verse puts you gently on an open road on a summer’s evening. But then comes the dark, mind-bending chorus, dragging you back into the abyss... Figures.

What made Staley’s addiction songs, like this one, so powerful and foreboding, was his acute self-awareness but utter lack of powerlessness when it came to his love affair with heroin. Brutally honest and affecting.

With a stomping call and response chorus that has the power to grind your bones into dust, this was a historic moment for alternative music. Vital, life-affirming, and utterly captivating, Alice In Chains had arrived.

“You my friend, I will defend…” This upbeat number about learning to roll with the breaks life kicks your way is proof, once again, that Staley and Cantrell’s voices were made to go together. Perfection.

Jerry Cantrell wrote this deeply moving power balled for his father, nicknamed ‘Rooster’, who served in the Vietnam War. The seven-minute video, directed by Mark Pellington, featured interview footage of Jerry and his Dad and some graphic war imagery.

This carnivalesque mind-fuck is like being locked in a fairground hall of mirrors, while being chased by sadistic clowns from a Rob Zombie film. As uncomfortable and irritating as an itch you can’t scratch, Staley bellows like a madman.

One of the standout tracks on Dirt, this blazing riff-monster pondering the issue of mortality was actually penned by Cantrell, and not Staley. But it’s the frontman’s disaffected howl that truly brings the lyrics to life.

A metal-clad theme tune for Generation X, complete with a spookily prophetic title. Layne Staley’s raw and angst-driven vocals warning against the dangers of drugs - “You should have known better!” - make the song all the more powerful.

Without doubt, this is one of the grunge scene’s greatest and portentous anthems. With that muscular, memorable bassline and spiky, singalong chorus, this is truly Alice In Chains at their very best.