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 third album, ‘Afterglow’, via Mascot Records on October 29th.

“There were six months to write this album, and I’m really excited by the way it came out,” comments Glenn Hughes, the man responsible for the bulk of its contents. “I wanted to make a record that stood up to the first two, but not to repeat either of those records. There would be absolutely no point beginning it with a song like ‘Black Country’ [the distinctively energetic track that kicked off the debut].”

In terms of content, ‘Afterglow’ expands upon the progression that took place between ‘BCC’ and ‘BCC2’. Rich in hooks, melodies and choruses, it’s nonetheless another of those highly rewarding albums that bears additional fruit with repeated spins.

An air of expectancy and excitement greets the unveiling of ‘Afterglow’.

When issued in September 2010, BCC’s self-titled debut was described by Classic Rock magazine as “Possibly the best hard rock album of 2010”, whilst Mojo magazine 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 the album hit the #1 spot in the Official Top 40 Rock Album Chart. It was voted #3 in Classic Rock magazine’s ‘Critics Album of the Year’ poll, and listeners of Planet Rock Radio 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 magazine’s prestigious Roll Of Honour ceremony. 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”.

This time with Bonamassa busy notching up the miles to promote his biggest solo record to date – ‘Driving Towards The Daylight’ reached Number Two in the UK’s Top 40 Album Chart – BCC (the distinctive name is a reference to the industrial area in the Midlands of Great Britain where both Hughes and Bonham were born and raised) had far more time to prepare ‘Afterglow’… and it shows.