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BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the renowned rock supergroup featuring the talents of Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian, proudly presents ‘Enlighten‘, the latest single from their much-anticipated fifth studio album, “V“, set for release on June 14th. Now available on all major streaming platforms, ‘Enlighten‘ is a masterpiece of lyrical depth and musical innovation, penned by Hughes and Bonamassa. The production, helmed by long-time collaborator Kevin Shirley, captures the essence of the band’s dynamic sound and evolving artistic expression.
‘Enlighten‘ explores themes of self-awareness and spiritual awakening, conveyed through Hughes’ emotive lyrics and the intricate guitar work of Bonamassa. Resonating with the band’s signature fusion of hard rock and soul-stirring blues, the song stands as a testament to Black Country Communion’s growth and mutual admiration, symbolizing their commitment to producing music that is authentic, heartfelt, and reflective of their shared experiences and vast musical expertise.
Formed by some of the most respected names in rock and blues and deeply rooted in both British and American classic hard-rock and blues-rock traditions, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION has earned a formidable reputation over the past 15 years, not only as phenomenal songwriters but as a compelling live act, renowned for their commitment to musical excellence and innovation. Released on the heels of their first U.S. concert in 13 years, ‘Enlighten‘ serves as an exciting glimpse into the full spectrum of what the album promises, heralding a vibrant new chapter for the band and their fans globally.
Following the critically acclaimed debut of their lead single ‘Stay Free‘, Black Country Communion, the celebrated rock supergroup featuring Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian, have unveiled ‘Red Sun‘, the second single from their eagerly awaited fifth studio album, “V“, released on June 14th, 2024.
Available now on all major streaming platforms, ‘Red Sun‘ showcases the collective genius of Hughes and Bonamassa, both in its powerful lyrics and profound musical composition. Produced by the group’s longtime collaborator, Kevin Shirley, the song is a testament to the group’s evolving sound and undeniable chemistry.
‘Red Sun‘ is a lyrical journey through the depths of the soul, echoing the struggles and revelations that come with life’s challenges. The song’s rich narrative and compelling melody are enhanced by the group’s signature blend of hard rock and blues, marking yet another milestone in their storied career. “This group allows me to embrace all of it,” comments Joe Bonamassa. “It’s funny because the four musicians here – everybody brings a certain thing to this that’s very specific. Every part is irreplaceable. For me, it’s about playing old-style rock guitar, loud.”
Glenn Hughes adds, “We make music for the five of us. We make music that we love and like, hoping it registers with everyone else. We don’t make it for record companies, or this guy or that guy.” Derek Sherinian credits producer Kevin Shirley for keeping the group’s creative energies focused, adding, “We got to give Kevin Shirley massive credit because he controls. He keeps it all flowing.”
‘Red Sun‘ is a profound piece in Black Country Communion’s discography, showcasing the group’s growth and mutual respect. It stands as a beacon of their shared philosophy – to create music that is authentic, heartfelt, and a reflection of their collective experiences and musical prowess.
As Black Country Communion gears up for the release of “V“, ‘Red Sun‘ serves as a compelling preview of what fans can expect from the album. The release follows the group’s first USA live performance in 13 years at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. This event, along with their appearance on the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise, signifies an exciting new chapter for the group and their fans around the world.
Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian Come Together To Release New Music For The First Time In Seven Years
Black Country Communion, the iconic rock supergroup featuring the talents of Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian, is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their highly anticipated fifth studio album, ‘V’, available worldwide on June 14. To celebrate, fans are treated to the immediate release of the album’s heavy funk lead single, “Stay Free“, out today on all major streaming platforms. You can pre-order the New Studio Album ‘V‘ today.
‘V‘ song listing:
01. Enlighten
02. Stay Free
03. Red Sun
04. Restless
05. Letting Go
06. Skyway
07. You’re Not Alone
08. Love And Faith
09. Too Far Gone
10. The Open Road
Produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Shirley, ‘V‘ marks a monumental chapter in the band’s storied career, embodying a renewed spirit and an evolution of their unmistakable sound. Shirley captures the essence of the band’s journey, stating, “For a band that started out as a collection of the best practitioners of their instruments, they very quickly found a unique sound. This time around, it has more purpose, the riffs are tougher, and there are hooks! Yes, hooks! It’s the most cohesive record, full of soul and grit, and I think this is the one that’s going to be the benchmark for Black Country Communion“. Glenn [Hughes] agrees, “In my opinion, we had the best time recording this record at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, tons of fun & a magical recording. Meet you inside the Music”.
“Stay Free“, the lead single, is a powerhouse track that blends hard rock’s raw energy with a heavy dose of blues, channeling the spirit of legends like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. It sets the tone for what fans can expect from ‘V‘ – a testament to the band’s dynamic synergy and creative evolution.
Since their debut in 2010, Black Country Communion has delivered a series of critically acclaimed albums, each showcasing the group’s ability to fuse British blues-rock with American soul in a way that captivates audiences worldwide. Their return with ‘V‘ and the single “Stay Free” reaffirms their status as rock royalty and showcases their growth as musicians and storytellers.
Kevin Shirley’s insight into the recording process highlights the unique chemistry and camaraderie within the band. “When we convened in 2023 to start recording the album ‘V‘, it really was like picking up the day after the most recent gig,” Shirley reflects. “The camaraderie is immediately evident. Once they start playing, everyone is deadly serious, and the music sounds like this band, and nothing else sounds like it.”
‘V‘ is a milestone that celebrates the journey, talent, and vision of Black Country Communion. As the band embarks on this new chapter, they invite fans old and new to join them in experiencing the depth and power of ‘V‘ and the electrifying energy of “Stay Free“.
The news follows the announcement of the band’s upcoming performance at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA on Sunday, March 17th, 2024. This rare appearance will be the first live performance in America from the band in over 11 years. Presented by Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, all profits from the concert will be donated to support music education and musicians in need. The band is also set to appear on the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea music festival, sailing from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico from March 18-22, 2024.
Black Country Communion the Anglo-American rock group comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, Billy Idol) and blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, release their long awaited and highly anticipated fourth album, BCC IV, via J&R Adventures on Friday, September 22nd, 2017. This is the band’s first studio album since 2013’s Afterglow.
Just like its three predecessors, BCC IV was overseen by Kevin Shirley, whose catalogue of hit records for Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Journey, The Black Crowes, has made him the hottest producer that rock music has to offer. Shirley, who originally had the idea of putting Hughes and Bonamassa in a band after seeing them jamming together onstage in Los Angeles back in November 2009 – is the group’s unofficial ‘fifth member’.
Black Country Communion have also announced two UK shows to support the album. They’ll perform at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on January 2nd, 2018 and at the London Hammersmith Apollo on January 4th, 2018. In addition, one USA date is currently scheduled for February 26th, 2018 at the Blues Alive at Sea IV event sailing from Miami, Florida.
Black Country Communion is an earth-shattering combination of American and British rock influences—a bona fide super group that conveys to the world a simple but important message: classic rock is alive and well and in good hands in the 21st century. Their communion together forms something that is greater than the sum of its parts, creating a legacy being cemented within the halls of music history.
The initiative for the new album came from Joe Bonamassa, who contacted the band in 2016 to see if they would be up for going back into the studio to write and record a fourth album. Says Joe, “I just felt the time was right for Black Country Communion to go back into the studio and write and record a new album. When I contacted Glenn, Derek and Jason, they immediately agreed to give it shot. The timing was right.”
During October 2016, when news first broke about the band getting back together, things on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, started blowing up and fan reaction was overwhelming. It was clear to see that BCC fans were hungry for another album. Since then, BCC IV is destined to become one of the he biggest hard rock albums of 2017.
Black Country Communion’s inception took place when front man and bass guitarist Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa fused their styles on stage in Los Angeles in November 2009 for an explosive performance at Guitar Center’s King of the Blues event. With the help and guidance of producer Kevin Shirley, they further added to their rock lineage by recruiting drummer Jason Bonham and keyboardist Derek Sherinian. 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. In the States, former VH1 Classic TV show “That Metal Show” dubbed BCC as the “Best New Rock Band of the last 10 Years.”
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. There’s even talk of some exclusive live shows (to be announced in the coming weeks).
“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 Afterglow 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 ‘BCC IV‘ at Cave Studios in Los Angeles in January 2017. The album was mixed at Cave Studios in Sydney in March. The songs on BCC IV 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, ‘BCC IV‘ 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, ‘BCC IV‘ 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.
All songs on the new album were co-written by Glenn Hughes and Joe Bonamassa. Glenn wrote all the lyrics on the album except for the song ‘The Last Song For My Resting Place‘ which was written by Joe.
Track Listing:
Collide
Over My Head
The Last Song For My Resting Place
Sway
The Cove
The Crow
Wanderlust
Love Remains
Awake
When The Morning Comes
With You I Go ** Bonus track on Vinyl edition only
Available on CD, Vinyl & MP3 Download. The Vinyl edition includes a Bonus Track. In addition, the first official video is now available featuring the album opener, “Collide“.
For more artist information, visit:
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION
http://www.bccommunion.com
https://www.facebook.com/bccommunion
https://twitter.com/bccommunion
Glenn Hughes is currently in EastWest Studios, Hollywood with Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, Derek Sherinian and producer, Kevin Shirley laying down new songs for the upcoming fourth album from Black Country Communion, due out around May 2017 😎
In Hollywood recording BCC4 �� pictured here with @JBONAMASSA & @KevTheCave #musicisthehealer✌️ pic.twitter.com/s6UXNzNlbS
— Glenn Hughes (@glenn_hughes) January 7, 2017
Day 1 BCC 4 , going to be ffffing great !! JB pic.twitter.com/dOQ1sZgmrX
— Jason Bonham (@Jason_Bonham) January 5, 2017
Excellent interview by Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited 😎
“In the interview that follows, Glenn Hughes speaks openly and honestly about the debacle and the uncertainly of what will become of Black Country Communion. Read on to discover how Glenn feels about the band, his band mates and about not touring. This is a riveting interview, so honest at time that it hurts.“
…and as Glenn mentioned in an earlier tweet…
“I hope this answers some of your Q’s…“
www.classicrockrevisited.com/INTERVIEWBCCGLENN.htm
Black Country Communion, the Anglo-American rock group comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes, drummer Jason Bonham, keyboardist Derek Sherinian and blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, have with their newly released album, “Afterglow“, debuted at No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart in the United States.
It sold 8,500 copies in the USA during its first week of release, compared with their album from last year, “2“, which opened with 8,000 units to land at No. 71 and their debut album, “Black Country“, released in 2010, that saw a first-week tally of 7,100 copies to enter the chart at No. 54.
Just like its two predecessors, “Afterglow” was overseen by Kevin Shirley, whose catalog of hit records for LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, JOURNEY, THE BLACK CROWES and many more has made him one of the hottest producers that rock music has to offer. Shirley – who had the idea of putting Hughes and Bonamassa together in a band together after seeing them jamming onstage in Los Angeles back in November 2009 – is the group’s unofficial “fifth member.”
Black Country Communion hope to tour “Afterglow” at the start of 2013.
On Sunday, October 28th at 7:00PM GMT / 11:00AM PT / 2:00PM ET over @ www.planetrock.com radio in the UK, Glenn Hughes will be broadcasting an AFTERGLOW track-by-track Special broadcast playing his favorite songs and talking about the making of the new album by Black Country Communion.
You can listen on the Internet via:
Glenn Hughes will be one of the featured guests on the Eddie Trunk Live broadcast over @ SiriusXM Channel 39 (Trunk Nation) on Monday, October 22nd, 2012. It kicks off at 6:00PM ET / 3:00PM PT… until 10:00PM ET / 7:00PM PT.
He’ll be on air at 9:00PM ET / 6:00PM PT.
Glenn will be talking Black Country Communion, Afterglow and more! You can call into the show at 866-315-2663.
