Unidentified flying object at night with fog and a light below. Triangular UFO, 3D illustration.
Black Country Communion return with a belter. Well worth the wait!
Release Date: 14th June 2024
Label: Mascot Group
Format: CD / digital / 2LP
Seven years may have passed since BCCIV, but oh my, how have Messrs Hughes, Bonham, Sherinian and Bonamassa returned. There’s talk of how it seems like the quartet have never been away, picking up the day after their last gig and corralled by Kevin Shirley, they’ve set what he’s called “the benchmark for Black Country Communion.“
Worth the wait? The first half minute itself is worth the entrance fee alone. A colossal and iron heavy riff and signature Bonham part not to mention Hughes’ anguished and soulful vocal entry that would send chills up the spines of those who’ve had to spend decades re-re-and re-appraising the increasingly meagre pickings from the Zep catalogue.
The funky ZZ Top meets Trampled Underfoot groove of Stay Free gives Derek Sherinian a chance to add some upfront keyboard work while Hughes for a Coverdale (in his prime) holler. And what’s apparent even at this early stage, even if it wasn’t the case in previous BCC outings is how these four individuals who shine in their own right, keep it relatively simple. It’s the vibe and for sure, Bonamassa lets loose with a solo that befits his status and some cheeky bvs add a soul/blues touch but Jason Bonham contributes his rock heavy drive with admirable restraint.
It all comes together in a series of songs that knock everything else out of the water – the feeling is like discovering a new band not necessarily doing something new and exciting but giving a shot of adrenaline to an existing format Red Sun is a similarly huge riff from the Hughes/Bonamassa pairing, that finally paves the way for a breather with some typical Bonamassa blues, a trick repeated with the moody diversion of Skyway later in the sequencing.
Just in case we’d forgotten him, Bonham charges round the kit for the intro to Letting Go. A simple but thrilling dah-dah-dah riff and some lashes from Sherinian’s keys – “feel like letting go, lost inside the flow” indeed! And it’s Sherinian who takes the spotlight as When You’re Alone becomes the BCC Kashmir for the modern day. No frills – just an epic trip that veers off from ominous to a welcoming melody. The finale of The Open Road allows Bonamassa to let loose with some of his funky leanings – all very much suited as a vehicle for bursts of the Hughes passion that he’s delivering in spades in the latter days of his career and an explosive climax from Joe.
A tremendous record full of hugely impressive Hard Rock from a quartet of quality.
Here’s Stay Free:
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