Taking their name from the industrial area in Britain, and the birthplace of both Hughes and Bonham, Black Country Communion released their self-titled debut album in 2010, and with that, unleashed their brand of take-no-prisoners hard rock to a world thirsting for music with substance.
Following the release of another two studio albums, 2011’s well-received Black Country Communion 2 and 2012’s equally impressive Afterglow, plus a smoldering live CD released in 2011, Live Over Europe, the band has firmly established themselves as one of hard rock’s premier acts. The band took a hiatus in 2013 and focused on their successful solo careers.
BCC has cultivated a reputation not only as amazing songwriters, but as a powerful live act, is only exceeded by their dedication to their craft, and a willingness to challenge and motivate each other to make the best music they can.
When BCC’s self-titled debut album was originally released in September 2010, Classic Rock described it as “Possibly the best hard rock album of 2010,” while MOJO awarded it 4 stars. Music Radar hailed the disc as “a potent and stomping collection of riff-heavy rockers that will undoubtedly stun listeners.
During its first week of release in the UK, BCC’s debut album hit the #1 spot in the Official Top 40 Rock Album Chart. It was voted #3 in Classic Rock’s “Critics Album of the Year” poll, and listeners of Planet Rock crowned BCC as the Best New Band of 2010.
Issued a mere nine months later, in time for a well received slot at the High Voltage Festival in London, Black Country Communion 2 was darker and deeper than its predecessor. Once again it topped the UK’s Rock Album Chart. The band were also the recipients of the Best Breakthrough Act award at Classic Rock’s prestigious Roll Of Honour Awards. Acknowledging that more than a single listen was required to fully appreciate its “depth and artistry”, the same magazine rightly called ‘BCC2’ “one stone-solid classic song after another.”
Now, seven years on from its inception, Bonamassa feels the time is right to bring the original BCC line-up back for album #4.
“We had around 4 months to write this album, and I think the results speak for themselves,” comments Glenn Hughes. “All four of us wanted to make a record that stood up to the first three albums, however, the new album is more of a progression, as we wanted to be careful not to repeat the previous albums. A lot has happened since we last recorded the Aferglow album in 2013, so, in many ways, the new album shows BCC with a much harder, riffier and bigger and bolder sound. If you’re looking for a folk album, this ain’t the one.”
The band assembled to record ‘BCCIV’ at Cave Studios in Los Angeles in December 2016. The album was mixed at Cave Studios in Sydney in March 2017. The songs on BCCIV will appeal to all fans of high quality hard rock, also those that admire singers of distinction. Hughes is not known as The Voice of Rock for nothing.
In terms of content, ‘BCCIV’ expands upon the progression that took place between the first three albums. With an abundance of heavy riffs, undeniable hooks, melodic flair and infectious choruses, BCCIV is a spectacular album that gets bigger and bolder with repeated spins.
“I wanted the new album to physically shake your soul. It’s a wake-up call.” explains Hughes.
Black Country Communion
