Review | Black Country Communion – V

Mascot Records

After a seven years hiatus, super group Black Country Communion – Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Sherinian and Jason Bonham – return with their fifth album, called ‘V’. Not a very original title I know, but who cares about that. The music on ‘V’ is really the best that these four guys have ever recorded, as ‘V’ is definitely their most cohesive record, blending hard rock with blues rock in the most dynamic way.

IMPRESSIVE

 ,,Stay Free”, being the lead single of this impressive album, which is doing overtime in my CD-player by the way, is a 100% powerhouse song, making me think of Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. I love it! ,,Red Sun”, written by Bonamassa and Hughes, the second single is rather heavy and it also features an addictive, colorful melodic groove. But it is the third single of this album, called ,,Enlighten” that really sends shivers down my spine, as Hughes sings better than ever before and the chorus is so catchy and addictive that I cannot get it out of my head for a couple of days now. ,,Enlighten” is a milestone in BCC’s song repertoire, as it is a signature fusion of soul-stirring blues and hard rock, so play it f…. LOUD and shout along: ENLIGHTEN, yeah!

BLUES ROCK

,,Restless” is the first blues rock ballad of the album, kicking off with a nice, short melodic guitar solo while further on Hughes again delivers a formidable vocal performance. Follow up ,,Letting Go’’, the shortest track of the album, is a funky rocking song, again with a 100% catchy chorus. ,,Skyway” features an awesome hook and this one, as well as follow up ,,You’re Not Alone”, is heavily influenced by American and British hard rock and blues rock. It also features outstanding vocal performances – Hughes really nails the vocals during ,,You’re Not Alone” – and more than excellent guitar work by Joe Bonamassa.

MINDBOGGLING

However, the best is yet to come, as ,,Love And Faith” is the ultimate blues rock ballad of this album. Featuring a milestone guitar hook – hello Led Zeppelin – a true “old-fashioned” organ intro and beautiful and mindboggling musical twist and turns during more than six minutes of sheer blues rock bliss. ‘V’ ends with ,,The Open Road” and this funky rock song features THE best guitar solo of the entire album. Starting at the 2:55 minute mark Bonamassa really highlights his guitar talent here; what a f…. brilliant solo; ending this album in style.

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION – THE CONCLUSION

 ‘V’ is a wonderful album, again masterful produced by Kevin Shirley, full of grit and soul, a 100% milestone of this super group. ‘V’ is a testament to Bonamassa’s, Hughes’s , Bonham’s and Sherinian’s powerful and creative musical evolution and it will certainly end up in my top 3 albums of this year; as it is their best effort by far. So play it F… LOUD and ,,Enlighten” and ,,Stay Free”, all of you!!

Release date: 14 June 2024