"Afterglow", the third album from 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 — sold 8,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 48 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Last year's "2" CD from BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION opened with 8,000 units to land at No. 71.

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's self-titled debut album registered 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."

The additions of Jason Bonham, esteemed son of LED ZEPPELIN's John, who took his father's place when the legendary group made musical history by reuniting at London's O2 Arena in December 2007, and the in-demand Derek Sherinian, made them a force to be reckoned with. An air of expectancy and excitement greets the unveiling of "Afterglow".

The band assembled to record "Afterglow" in a studio in Westlake Village, about 70 miles outside of Hollywood, during five supremely productive days. Its 11 songs are set to delight 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, "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.

"I wanted this album to have more acoustic moments than the previous two," explains Hughes. "I wanted to hear more of Derek [Sherinian] and I wanted the more angelic voice of Glenn as well as the more aggressive one which is there on songs like 'Crawl' and 'Midnight Sun'. Above all, I wanted more drama."

Hughes shares lead vocals with Bonamassa on the song "Cry Freedom". "The vocal sound that Kevin got on this record is second to none — it's his best work yet with BCC," believes Hughes. "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 Glenn became friends."

Indeed, Hughes speaks of Shirley in the most glowing terms. "Kevin only needs three hours of sleep per night; he's hyper and super-intelligent," says Glenn. "He cracks the whip but he also knows exactly what he's talking about when it comes to music."

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION hopes to tour "Afterglow" at the start of 2013.

Photo credit: Christie Goodwin