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'@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@ +{{use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = Afterglow @@ -5,47 +6,79 @@ | cover = Afterglow album.jpg | alt = -| released = {{Start date|2012|10|29}} -| recorded = June 11–16, 2012 +| released = {{start date|2012|10|29}} +| recorded = June 2012 | venue = -| studio = Revolver Studio (Thousand Oaks, California) -| genre = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[blues rock]]}} -| length = {{Duration|m=57|s=51}} -| label = J&R Adventures, Mascot +| studio = Revolver Recording<br />([[Thousand Oaks, California]]) +| genre = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/afterglow-mw0002418825 |title=Afterglow - Black Country Communion |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |work=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=November 23, 2012 }}</ref>|[[blues rock]]<ref name="allmusic"/>}} +| length = 57:50 +| label = {{hlist|[[Mascot Records|Mascot]]|J&R Adventures}} | producer = [[Kevin Shirley]] | prev_title = [[Live Over Europe (Black Country Communion album)|Live Over Europe]] -| prev_year = 2012 +| prev_year = 2011 | next_title = [[BCCIV]] | next_year = 2017 }} -{{Album ratings -| rev1 = [[Allmusic]] -| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Rivadavia|first=Eduardo|title=Afterglow - Black Country Communion|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/afterglow-mw0002418825|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|accessdate=23 November 2012}}</ref> -}} -'''''Afterglow''''' is the third [[studio album]] by English-American [[hard rock]] band [[Black Country Communion]]. Recorded in June 2012 with regular producer [[Kevin Shirley]], the album was released by J&R Adventures and Mascot Music in October 2012. +'''''Afterglow''''' is the third [[Album#Studio|studio album]] by English–American [[hard rock]] band [[Black Country Communion]]. Recorded over a five-day period in mid-June 2012 at Revolver Recording in [[Thousand Oaks, California]], it was produced by [[Kevin Shirley]] and released in Europe by [[Mascot Records]] on October 29, 2012, and in North America by J&R Adventures the next day. The album reached number 29 on the [[UK Albums Chart]] and number 48 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. + +After touring in promotion of ''[[Black Country Communion 2]]'' in the summer of 2011, the band took a break as members focused on their respective solo projects. Frontman [[Glenn Hughes (musician)|Glenn Hughes]] spent around six months writing material for a planned solo album, which later became the basis for a third Black Country Communion release. Recording for the album took place over just five days, which was due in part to guitarist [[Joe Bonamassa]]'s busy solo touring schedule. + +''Afterglow'' received generally positive reviews from critics, some of whom suggested that the truncated recording process made the album feel more spontaneous. Commercially, the album was the band's first to break into the top 50 of the ''Billboard'' 200, as well as their highest-charting on the ''Billboard'' Top Rock Albums chart at number 14 (this was later equalled by ''[[BCCIV]]''). ''Afterglow'' was the band's last release before their initial breakup in March 2013. + +==Writing and recording== +Shortly after the release of ''[[Black Country Communion 2]]'', it was reported that Black Country Communion (BCC) frontman [[Glenn Hughes (musician)|Glenn Hughes]] planned to start writing material for a new solo album during December 2011 and January 2012, which he claimed would "portray the image of the Glenn Hughes on the [BCC] albums".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/glenn-hughes-preparing-to-write-new-rock-solo-album |title=Glenn Hughes Preparing To Write New Rock Solo Album |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=November 16, 2011 |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> However, the songs written during this period were ultimately adapted for a third BCC album, with the other band members brought in later to finalise the compositions.<ref name="classic">{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/black-country-communion-afterglow |title=Black Country Communion: Afterglow |last=Dome |first=Malcolm |author-link=Malcolm Dome |work=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |date=October 10, 2012 |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> + +In an interview with ''[[Guitar World]]'' published in March 2012, Hughes noted that he'd been writing new material for around six months, compared with six weeks for the first album and four months for the second.<ref name="guitarworld">{{cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-glenn-hughes-discusses-deep-purple-gary-moore-bill-nash-basses-and |title=Interview: Glenn Hughes Discusses Deep Purple, Gary Moore, Bill Nash Basses and Writing with Black Country Communion |last=Fanelli |first=Damian |work=[[Guitar World]] |date=March 8, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> Regarding his bandmates' involvement in the process, he explained that "With each album, I go into my place and write the majority of the music, then I take it in to [[Joe Bonamassa|Joe <nowiki>[Bonamassa]</nowiki>]] and [[Kevin Shirley|Kevin <nowiki>[Shirley]</nowiki>]] and we make the songs more 'band sounding'," as well as claiming that "I've been left as the keeper of the keys to write these albums" due to Bonamassa's busy solo schedule.<ref name="guitarworld"/> Hughes is credited with lyrics on every song (drummer [[Jason Bonham]] is a co-writer on two tracks), with all band members (and Shirley) credited with various musical composition credits.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Afterglow |others=[[Black Country Communion]] |year=2012 |publisher=[[Mascot Records]] |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3996788-Black-Country-Communion-Afterglow |access-date=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> + +Asked about the style of the material prior to recording, Hughes described it as "kind of a continuation ... there's going to be some darker stuff on there because I'm writing it kind of dark, so there might be some moments of drama in there – I like drama in the music".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hellorayo.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/glenn-hughes-talks-bcc-3/ |title=Glenn Hughes Talks BCC 3 |publisher=[[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] |date=January 4, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> Studio sessions for ''Afterglow'' started on June 10, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-to-begin-work-on-new-album-this-weekend |title=Black Country Communion To Begin Work On New Album This Weekend |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=June 7, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> The first day consisted of pre-production by Hughes, Bonamassa and Shirley, with Bonham and keyboardist [[Derek Sherinian]] joining them to start recording proper the next day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.glennhughes.com/ctc/bulletins/bcc-in-the-studio-2012/ |title=Black Country Communion In The Studio |publisher=[[Glenn Hughes (musician)|Glenn Hughes]] |date=June 10, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> According to Hughes, the band was scheduled to complete recording in ten days over two weeks; however, he claimed that Bonamassa was "knackered" due to his recent solo touring, which led Shirley to reduce the process to just five days (although the frontman finished some of his vocals later on during mixing).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/tbl-news/glenn-hughes-on-black-country-communions-afterglow-exclusive-tbl-interview-extract/ |title=Glenn Hughes On Black Country Communion's Afterglow – Exclusive TBL Interview Extract |work=Tight But Loose |date=November 1, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> + +==Release and aftermath== +''Afterglow'' was officially announced on August 24, 2012,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-new-album-title-cover-artwork-unveiled |title=Black Country Communion: New Album Title, Cover Artwork Unveiled |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=August 24, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> with the track listing revealed the following week.<ref name="release">{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-complete-afterglow-album-details-revealed |title=Black Country Communion: Complete 'Afterglow' Album Details Revealed |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=August 30, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> The first song to be released from the album was "Confessor", which received its premiere on [[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] on September 11,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehighwaystar.com/news/2012/09/11/hughes-on-planet-rock/ |title=Hughes on Planet Rock |work=The Highway Star |date=September 11, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> ahead of being made available as a free [[Music download|digital download]] around a week later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-new-song-available-for-free-download |title=Black Country Communion: New Song Available For Free Download |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=September 19, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> Prior to the album's release, the band also issued six videos online documenting the recording of the album.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-sixth-afterglow-webisode-released |title=Black Country Communion: Sixth 'Afterglow' Webisode Released |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=October 19, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> ''Afterglow'' was released in the UK and Europe by [[Mascot Records]] on October 29, 2012, and in North America by Bonamassa's own label J&R Adventures the following day.<ref name="release"/> + +[[File:Joe Bonamassa - 2013 World Tour - Meistersingerhalle Nuernberg - 11-03-2013 (-31534407).jpg|thumb|left|200px|BCC frontman [[Glenn Hughes (musician)|Glenn Hughes]] blamed guitarist [[Joe Bonamassa]]'s (pictured) busy solo touring schedule for the band's lack of live performances in promotion of ''Afterglow''.]] +In promotion of the album, BCC announced a single show to take place at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on January 5, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-announces-only-u-k-appearance-of |title=Black Country Communion Announces Only U.K. Appearance Of 2013 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=September 17, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> This was due to be filmed for a live video release later in the year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/music/2012/09/17/black-country-communion-to-play-wolverhampton-civic-again/ |title=Black Country Communion to play Wolverhampton Civic again |work=[[Express & Star]] |date=September 17, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> Both Hughes and Bonham expressed frustration over the lack of additional shows following the album's release: the former directly cited Bonamassa's busy solo touring schedule as the reason for a lack of BCC shows, and proclaimed that "If I had my way we'd be doing mass touring",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-s-hughes-if-it-were-up-to-me-we-would-be-doing-250-shows-a-year |title=Black Country Communion's Hughes: If It Were Up To Me, We Would Be Doing 250 Shows A Year |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=March 4, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> while the latter reflected that "It is kinda sad that we do this product, then when it comes to touring there's no plans ... I'm not blaming anybody in particular — but we should tour ... Certain powers-that-be are holding us back".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/jason-bonham-frustrated-over-black-country-communion-s-lack-of-touring |title=Jason Bonham Frustrated Over Black Country Communion's Lack Of Touring |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=October 20, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> In September 2012, Hughes suggested that ''Afterglow'' could be the band's final album due to Bonamassa's "heavy commitments".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/glenn-hughes-says-afterglow-may-be-black-country-communion-s-final-album |title=Glenn Hughes Says 'Afterglow' May Be Black Country Communion's Final Album |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=September 4, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> -==Background== -Following the release of their second album ''[[Black Country Communion 2|2]]'' in 2011, Black Country Communion embarked on a promotional tour of the United States and Europe, and later released the video album ''[[Live Over Europe (Black Country Communion album)|Live Over Europe]]'' documenting a number of shows on the tour.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162676 |title=Black Country Communion: Complete 'Live Over Europe' DVD Details Revealed |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]] |date=September 1, 2011 |accessdate=October 4, 2012 }}</ref> In January 2012 it was reported that the band would begin work on the follow-up to ''2'' in June, with a release planned for later in the year.<ref name="janrecord">{{cite news |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=167886 |title=Black Country Communion to Record Third Album in June |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]] |date=January 4, 2012 |accessdate=September 19, 2012 }}</ref> The writing process for the album, according to main songwriter [[Glenn Hughes (British musician)|Glenn Hughes]], took approximately six months, compared to six weeks for ''[[Black Country (album)|Black Country]]'' and four months for ''[[2 (Black Country Communion album)|2]]''.<ref name="mainblabber">{{cite news |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=178582 |title=Black Country Communion: New Album Title, Cover Artwork Unveiled |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]] |date=August 24, 2012 |accessdate=September 19, 2012 |archive-date=August 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826231322/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=178582 |url-status=dead }}</ref> +The day after the show in Wolverhampton went on sale, it was abruptly cancelled due to what were reported as "unforeseen circumstances".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hellorayo.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/black-country-communion-cancel-gig/ |title=Black Country Communion Cancel Gig |publisher=[[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] |date=September 20, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> Bonamassa claimed after the cancellation that he had refused to play the show as he was worried Hughes might "make some stupid fucking announcement on stage" in relation to whether the band would continue or disband.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-guitarist-says-glenn-hughes-tried-to-bully-him-into-doing-tour |title=Black Country Communion Guitarist Says Glenn Hughes Tried To 'Bully' Him Into Doing Tour |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=October 18, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> Tensions between the two continued, with Bonamassa later claiming that "three years ago when this thing started, everybody had day jobs ... I tour the spring and the fall, religiously. And I'm not gonna be bullied into doing something".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/joe-bonamassa-interview-2012/ |title=Joe Bonamassa on Black Country Communion's future: 'Never say never' |last=Whitaker |first=Sterling |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=October 31, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> The guitarist's manager Roy Weisman later confirmed Hughes' suggestion that the Wolverhampton show had been pulled due to disagreements over ticket prices, which the BCC frontman had earlier claimed online.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/glenn-hughes-says-his-twitter-comment-led-to-cancelation-of-black-country-communion-gig |title=Glenn Hughes Says His Twitter Comment Led To Cancelation Of Black Country Communion Gig |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=December 5, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> -==Recording and production== -The group began recording sessions for ''Afterglow'' on June 10, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=175109 |title=Black Country Communion to Begin Work on New Album This Weekend |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]] |date=June 7, 2012 |accessdate=September 19, 2012 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103121441/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=175109 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As with their previous two albums, BCC released a number of behind-the-scenes video clips of the recording process leading up to the album's announcement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=180061 |title=Black Country Communion: Third 'Afterglow' Webisode Released |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]] |date=September 28, 2012 |accessdate=October 4, 2012 }}</ref> Speaking about the recording of the album, Hughes has praised the vocal sound achieved by producer Kevin Shirley, stating that "We butted heads a little on the first and second albums, simply because we're both control freaks, but this was the record on which Kevin and [I] became friends".<ref name="pressrelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/blackcountrycommunion/afterglow.htm |title=Black Country Communion "Afterglow" |publisher=Noble PR |accessdate=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016203159/http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/blackcountrycommunion/afterglow.htm |archivedate=October 16, 2012 }}</ref> +Due to the ongoing disputes between Hughes and Bonamassa, Bonham suggested that the band could tour in promotion of ''Afterglow'' with a temporary stand-in guitarist.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/jason-bonham-says-black-country-communion-should-tour-with-session-guitarist |title=Jason Bonham Says Black Country Communion Should Tour With Session Guitarist |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=November 15, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> By March 2013, Bonamassa had officially left the band, describing himself as "happily not involved any more", but suggested that the remaining members could continue with a replacement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hellorayo.co.uk/planet-rock/news/rock-news/bonamassa-walks-away-from-bcc/ |title=Bonamassa Walks Away From BCC |publisher=[[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] |date=March 13, 2013 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> Shortly thereafter, however, Hughes claimed that the guitarist had prevented the band from continuing under the same name, promising that he, Bonham and Sherinian would return later with a new moniker.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-is-officially-over-says-glenn-hughes |title=Black Country Communion Is Officially 'Over,' Says Glenn Hughes |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=March 23, 2013 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> Hughes and Bonham briefly performed as [[California Breed]] and BCC eventually reformed in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/black-country-communion-reunion-glenn-hughes-joe-bonamassa-derek-sherinian-jason-bonham |title=Black Country Communion return next year |last=Kielty |first=Martin |work=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |date=April 21, 2016 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> -==Composition== -The majority of the material for ''Afterglow'' was written by frontman Glenn Hughes, who has cited [[Joe Bonamassa]]'s extensive solo touring schedule as the main barrier to the guitarist's heightened involvement in the composition of the album.<ref name="mainblabber"/> Speaking for an official [[press release]], Hughes has pointed out, in reference to his approach to ''Afterglow'', that "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'".<ref name="pressrelease"/> +==Reception== +===Commercial=== +''Afterglow'' debuted at number 48 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] (the band's first album to break the top 50 of the chart), selling over 8,500 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-country-communion-s-afterglow-cracks-u-s-top |title=Black Country Communion's 'Afterglow' Cracks U.S. Top 50 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=November 7, 2012 |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> It also registered at number 5 on the Hard Rock Albums chart (the band's first top-five entry),<ref name="UShard">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/black-country-communion/chart-history/mtl/ |title=Black Country Communion: Top Hard Rock Albums |work=[[Billboard charts]] |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> number 8 on the [[Independent Albums]] chart,<ref name="USindie">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/black-country-communion/chart-history/ind/ |title=Black Country Communion: Independent Albums |work=[[Billboard charts]] |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> and number 14 on the Top Rock Albums chart (the band's joint top-highest position).<ref name="USrock">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/black-country-communion/chart-history/rck/ |title=Black Country Communion: Top Rock Albums |work=[[Billboard charts]] |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> In the UK, the album debuted at number 29 on the [[UK Albums Chart]], number 24 on the [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish Albums Chart]], number 2 on the [[Lists of UK Rock & Metal Singles and Albums Charts number ones|UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart]] (the band's first studio album not to top the chart), and number 8 on the [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Independent Albums Chart]].<ref name="UK">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6495/black-country-communion/ |title=Black Country Communion songs and albums |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |accessdate=July 9, 2024 }}</ref> It also reached number 9 in Germany,<ref name="GER">{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-206237 |title=Black Country Communion: Afterglow |publisher=[[GfK Entertainment charts|Offizielle Deutsche Charts]] |language=German |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> number 18 in Sweden,<ref name="SWE">{{cite web |url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discography Black Country Communion |work=swedishcharts.com |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> number 19 in Austria,<ref name="AUT">{{cite web |url=http://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discographie Black Country Communion |work=austriancharts.at |language=German |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> number 24 in Norway,<ref name="NOR">{{cite web |url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discography Black Country Communion |work=norwegiancharts.com |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> number 32 in the Netherlands,<ref name="NED">{{cite web |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discografie Black Country Communion |work=dutchcharts.nl |language=Dutch |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> number 44 in Switzerland,<ref name="SWI">{{cite web |url=http://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discographie Black Country Communion |work=hitparade.ch |language=German |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> number 63 in France,<ref name="FRA">{{cite web |url=http://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discographie Black Country Communion |work=lescharts.com |language=French |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> number 73 in the Wallonia region of Belgium,<ref name="WAL">{{cite web |url=http://ultratop.be/fr/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discographie Black Country Communion |work=ultratop.be |language=French |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> number 87 in the Flanders region of Belgium,<ref name="FLA">{{cite web |url=http://ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discografie Black Country Communion |work=ultratop.be |language=Dutch |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> and number 98 in Ireland.<ref name="IRL">{{cite web |url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Black+Country+Communion |title=Discography Black Country Communion |work=irish-charts.com |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> -===Music=== -In the official press release for the album, the sound of ''Afterglow'' was described as "Rich in hooks, melodies and choruses", with Hughes pointing out that he wanted the material to have "more acoustic moments than the previous two [albums]", as well as more exposure of keyboardist [[Derek Sherinian]].<ref name="pressrelease"/> In a track-by-track overview of the album, Hughes has offered descriptions of a few individual tracks on ''Afterglow'', including "Big Train" ("very quirky and British-sounding"), "Midnight Sun" (which he compared to the sound of [[The Who]]), "Confessor" ("slow and groovy" like "No Time" on ''Black Country''), and "Cry Freedom" ("a [[ZZ Top]]/[[Humble Pie (band)|Humble Pie]] kind of a vibe").<ref name="pressrelease"/> +===Critical=== +{{Album ratings +| rev1 = [[AllMusic]] +| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic"/> +| rev2 = ''[[Bass Guitar (magazine)|Bass Guitar]]'' +| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="bass">{{cite magazine |title=Black Country Communion: Afterglow |magazine=[[Bass Guitar (magazine)|Bass Guitar]] |publication-date=October 2012 |url=https://www.glennhughes.com/bcc_afterglow.html |access-date=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> +| rev3 = ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' +| rev3Score = 8/10<ref name="classic"/> +| rev4 = ''[[Guitarist (magazine)|Guitarist]]'' +| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="guitarist">{{cite magazine |title=Black Country Communion: Afterglow |magazine=[[Guitarist (magazine)|Guitarist]] |publication-date=November 2012 |url=https://www.glennhughes.com/bcc_afterglow.html |access-date=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> +| rev5 = ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' +| rev5Score = 8/10<ref name="hammer">{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/black-country-communion-afterglow-1 |title=Black Country Communion's Afterglow: a set of tunes that belong in the 1970s – but in a good way |last=Ling |first=Dave |work=[[Metal Hammer]] |date=October 16, 2012 |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> +| rev6 = ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' +| rev6Score = 3/5<ref name="metro">{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/11/01/black-country-communion-afterglow-album-review-611849/ |title=Black Country Communion will have to rely on metal faithfuls for Afterglow |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=November 1, 2012 |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> +| rev7 = ''Powerplay'' +| rev7Score = 10/10<ref name="powerplay">{{cite magazine |last=Kee |first=Chris |title="Afterglow": Black Country Communion |magazine=Powerplay |issue=149 |publication-date=December 2012 |page=64 |url=https://www.glennhughes.com/bcc_afterglow.html |access-date=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> +| rev8 = [[Ultimate Guitar]] +| rev8Score = 7.7/10<ref name="ug">{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/black_country_communion/afterglow/19460/ |title=Afterglow review by Black Country Communion |publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]] |date=November 15, 2012 |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> +}} +Media response to ''Afterglow'' was generally positive. ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' awarded the album a rating of 8/10, with writer [[Malcolm Dome]] dubbing it "easily the most cohesive and exciting album from the band" due to a "spontaneity and dynamic" resulting from the short time spent recording.<ref name="classic"/> ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' gave ''Afterglow'' the same 8/10 rating, with reviewer Dave Ling suggesting that "One listen to songs like 'Confessor' and 'This Is Your Time' and you'll be drawn in; repeated spins will lead to addiction."<ref name="hammer"/> ''Powerplay'' gave the album a full 10/10 rating, with writer Chris Kee describing it as "a great, great album that I firmly believe should be revered through the decades to come, held up as one of the finest rock albums of our times".<ref name="powerplay"/> In a four-star review for Stereoboard.com, Simon Ramsay called ''Afterglow'' the band's "most accessible album to date".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/175987/9 |title=Black Country Communion - Afterglow (Album Review) |last=Ramsay |first=Simon |publisher=Stereoboard.com |date=November 14, 2012 |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> Nick Coleman of ''[[The Independent]]'' hailed the album as "a hue and cry against laziness and the path of least resistance".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-black-country-communion-afterglow-mascot-8229162.html |title=Album: Black Country Communion, Afterglow (Mascot) |last=Coleman |first=Nick |work=[[The Independent]] |date=October 27, 2012 |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> -===Lyrics=== -In an interview before the announcement of the album, Hughes described the lyrical content of ''Afterglow'' as "kind of a continuation [of the band's previous albums]", claiming that "there's gonna be some darker stuff on there, because the lyrics I'm writing are kind of dark".<ref name="mainblabber"/> Hughes has also revealed that the potential that the album would be the band's last provided inspiration for the writing of its songs, explaining that "I figured that if this was to be the last album, then I need to come in with some pretty wild and epic tracks".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/glenn-hughes-doubts-black-country-communion-future/ |title=Glenn Hughes doubts Black Country Communion's future |publisher=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |date=September 5, 2012 |accessdate=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018050555/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/glenn-hughes-doubts-black-country-communion-future/ |archivedate=October 18, 2012 }}</ref> +In a review for [[AllMusic]], Eduardo Rivadavia awarded the album three and a half out of five stars – slightly lower than the four stars afforded to both previous BCC releases, which he credited to "a disappointing, second-half quality drop-off".<ref name="allmusic"/> Despite this, the reviewer praised the contributions of all four band members: Hughes' "incomparable voice", Bonamassa's "versatile guitar licks", Bonham's "ever powerful, spot-on drumming" and Sherinian's "always tasteful keyboards".<ref name="allmusic"/> Similarly, in a 3/5 review, British newspaper ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' wrote that the album is "at its strongest when it resembles [[Led Zeppelin]] in their pomp", but claimed that "Too often, BCC fall into their default mode, which is shrieking cock rock with machine-gun drums, which doesn't endear them to many outside the metal faithful."<ref name="metro"/> -==Release== -The first details regarding the band's third album, including the title ''Afterglow'' and the cover artwork, were released at the end of August in 2012.<ref name="mainblabber"/> The first song to be released from ''Afterglow'' was "Confessor", which was made available as a free [[Music download|digital download]] from the band's official website on September 19, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=179622 |title=Black Country Communion: New Song Available for Free Download |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]] |date=September 19, 2012 |accessdate=October 4, 2012 }}</ref> +At the end of the year, ''Afterglow'' was named in the Blues Rock Review's list of "Top 20 Albums of 2012", at number 18, with writer Don Tice stating: "With the timeless sound of Hughes on the mic, the classy blues swagger of Bonamassa on guitar, one of a kind flare from Sherinian on keys, and a star child by birthright, backed by immense talent in Bonham, Black Country Communion pries the lid off the past, and propels it into the now."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bluesrockreview.com/2012/12/top-20-albums-of-2012.html |title=Top 20 Albums of 2012 |last=Tice |first=Don |publisher=Blues Rock Review |date=December 5, 2012 |accessdate=July 10, 2024 }}</ref> American music historian and radio personality [[Eddie Trunk]] named it his seventh best album of the year, calling it "pretty much live and in your face classic sounding rock that just happens to be from a new band".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eddietrunk.com/1211-eddies-top-albums-of-2012/ |title=12/11 Eddie's Top Albums Of 2012 |publisher=[[Eddie Trunk]] |date=December 28, 2012 |accessdate=July 10, 2024 }}</ref> ==Track listing== {{tracklist +| headline = ''Afterglow'' track listing +| title_width = 30% +| lyrics_width = 30% +| music_width = 40% | total_length = 57:51 | title1 = Big Train -| lyrics1 = [[Glenn Hughes (British musician)|Glenn Hughes]] +| lyrics1 = [[Glenn Hughes (musician)|Glenn Hughes]] | music1 = Hughes | length1 = 4:17 @@ -102,6 +135,7 @@ }} {{tracklist -| headline = Limited edition bonus DVD +| headline = Limited edition bonus DVD track listing | total_length = 65:26 + | title1 = Making of ''Afterglow'' | length1 = 45:00 @@ -125,71 +159,94 @@ ==Personnel== -{{col-begin}} -{{col-2}} -;Black Country Communion -* [[Glenn Hughes (British musician)|Glenn Hughes]] – [[Lead vocalist|lead vocals]], [[bass guitar]], [[acoustic guitar]] <small>(track 10)</small> -* [[Joe Bonamassa]] – [[electric guitar]], acoustic guitar, co-lead vocals <small>(track 5)</small> -* [[Jason Bonham]] – [[Drum kit|drums]], [[Percussion instrument|percussion]], backing vocals <small>(track 2)</small> -* [[Derek Sherinian]] – [[Keyboard instrument|keyboard]]s -;Production personnel -* [[Kevin Shirley]] – [[Record producer|production]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] -* [[Jeff Bova]] – [[orchestra]]tion <small>(track 6)</small> -* Jared Kvitka – [[Audio engineering|engineering]] -* Josh LaCount – additional engineering -* [[Bob Ludwig]] – [[Audio mastering|mastering]] -* [[Marcus Bird]] – [[photography]] and [[Film director|direction]] -{{col-end}} +'''Black Country Communion''' +*[[Glenn Hughes (musician)|Glenn Hughes]] – bass, lead vocals, acoustic guitar (track 10), liner notes +*[[Joe Bonamassa]] – guitar, vocals (co-lead on track 4) +*[[Jason Bonham]] – drums, percussion, backing vocals (track 2) +*[[Derek Sherinian]] – keyboards +'''Additional personnel''' +*[[Jeff Bova]] – orchestration (track 6) +*[[Kevin Shirley]] – production, mixing +*Jared Kvitka – engineering +*Josh LaCount – engineering assistance +*[[Bob Ludwig]] – mastering +*Dennis Friel – design, illustration +*Marcus Sweeney-Bird – photography, video direction +*Christie Goodwin – photography -==Chart performance== -{| class="wikitable sortable" -! class="unsortable"| Chart (2010) -! align="center"| Peak<br />position +==Charts== +{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" +|+ Chart performance for ''Afterglow'' +!scope="col"|Chart (2012) +!scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- -| US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="US-A">{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=black country communion|chart=all}} |title=Billboard 200: Black Country Communion Album & Song Chart History |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=31 July 2017 }}</ref> -| align="center"| 48 -|} - -==Release history== -{| class="wikitable" +!scope="row"|Austrian Albums ([[Ö3 Austria Top 40]])<ref name="AUT"/> +|19 +|- +!scope="row"|Belgian Albums ([[Ultratop]] Flanders)<ref name="FLA"/> +|87 +|- +!scope="row"|Belgian Albums ([[Ultratop]] Wallonia)<ref name="WAL"/> +|73 +|- +!scope="row"|[[Dutch Album Top 100|Dutch Albums]] ([[Dutch Charts|MegaCharts]])<ref name="NED"/> +|32 +|- +!scope="row"|French Albums ([[SNEP]])<ref name="FRA"/> +|63 +|- +!scope="row"|German Albums ([[GfK Entertainment charts|Offizielle Top 100]])<ref name="GER"/> +|9 +|- +!scope="row"|[[Irish Albums Chart|Irish Albums]] ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref name="IRL"/> +|98 +|- +!scope="row"|Norwegian Albums ([[VG-lista]])<ref name="NOR"/> +|24 +|- +!scope="row"|[[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/> +|24 +|- +!scope="row"|Swedish Albums ([[Sverigetopplistan]])<ref name="SWE"/> +|18 +|- +!scope="row"|Swiss Albums ([[Swiss Hitparade|Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref name="SWI"/> +|44 +|- +!scope="row"|[[UK Albums Chart|UK Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/> +|29 +|- +!scope="row"|[[UK Album Downloads Chart|UK Album Downloads]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/> +|71 +|- +!scope="row"|[[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Independent Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/> +|8 +|- +!scope="row"|UK Physical Albums ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/> +|24 |- -! Region -! Date -! Label -! Format -! Catalog -! Ref. +!scope="row"|[[Official Record Store Chart|UK Record Store]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/> +|7 |- -| rowspan="3"| Europe -| rowspan="3"| October 29, 2012 -| rowspan="3"| Mascot Music -| [[LP record|LP]] -| M 7398 1 -| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=968504 |title=Black Country Communion - Afterglow |publisher=[[HMV Group]] |accessdate=October 27, 2012 }}</ref> +!scope="row"|[[UK Rock & Metal Singles and Albums Charts|UK Rock & Metal Albums]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UK"/> +|2 |- -| [[Compact Disc|CD]] -| M 7398 2 -| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmv.co.jp/artist_Black-Country-Communion_000000000441338/item_Afterglow_5168492 |title=Afterglow (Edition Holland, CD) |publisher=[[HMV Group]] |accessdate=October 27, 2012 |language=Japanese }}</ref> +!scope="row"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="US">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/black-country-communion/chart-history/tlp/ |title=Black Country Communion: Billboard 200 |work=[[Billboard charts]] |accessdate=July 8, 2024 }}</ref> +|48 |- -| CD+[[DVD]] -| M 7398 5 -| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=968505 |title=Black Country Communion - Afterglow: 2CD: Bonus DVD |publisher=[[HMV Group]] |accessdate=October 27, 2012 }}</ref> +!scope="row"|US Hard Rock Albums (''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'')<ref name="UShard"/> +|5 |- -| North America -| October 30, 2012 -| J&R Adventures -| CD -| PRAR935488 -| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmv.co.jp/artist_Black-Country-Communion_000000000441338/item_Afterglow_5210056 |title=Afterglow (Board USA, CD) |publisher=[[HMV Group]] |accessdate=October 27, 2012 |language=Japanese }}</ref> +!scope="row"|US [[Independent Albums]] (''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'')<ref name="USindie"/> +|8 |- -| Japan -| December 19, 2012 -| Avalon -| CD -| MICP11078 -| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmv.co.jp/artist_Black-Country-Communion_000000000441338/item_Afterglow_5231165 |title=Afterglow (National Board, CD) |publisher=[[HMV Group]] |accessdate=October 27, 2012 |language=Japanese }}</ref> +!scope="row"|US Top Rock Albums (''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'')<ref name="USrock"/> +|14 |} ==References== {{reflist}} + +==External links== +*{{discogs master|491193|Afterglow}} {{Black Country Communion}} @@ -200,2 +257,3 @@ [[Category:Black Country Communion albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Kevin Shirley]] +[[Category:Mascot Records albums]] '