BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION — 2 (review)

BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION — 2 album cover Album · 2011 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Kingcrimsonprog
Black Country Communion's second studio album, simply entitled `2,' is a very strong album from a band that are getting better and more confident, gelling together as a group well and hammering home their sound.

At first I was skeptical of how good the album could be, as when big names collaborate the results aren't always as good as the sum of their parts and often when any band constantly get described as sounding like bands they have some vague connection with, they usually fail to measure up.

The album features all the blazing keyboard solos and big, roomy drum sounds you'd expect from a band who gladly state their fondness for Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin in their linear notes. The overall style that the band were aiming for has been achieved perfectly, but that isn't enough if the songwriting isn't up to standard.

Thankfully, Black Country Communion have delivered in this department with `2.' The album starts very strong, and opens up with the hard rocking `The Outsider,' and follows up with the heavy yet groove laden single `Man In The Middle,' which serves as just about as strong a one-two opening punch as any fan could hope for.

The album thankfully concentrates on straight up rock, but also mixes a few variations into the formula, a little folky section on one track, a blues track and a few more dynamic tracks with eastern influences keep things interesting.

All the musicians are on top form, Glen Hughes sings with gusto and plays just as well, Jason Bonham nails the drumming in both power and feel and Joe Bonamassa's excellent playing fits into the band more naturally than on the band's debut. A special mention is deserved for Derek Sherinian, who absolutely shines on this record.

With this second album, Black Country Communion fulfill their potential and deliver a very enjoyable slab of driving classic rock music, proving to be more than just a cash in on nostalgia, but a strong musical force to be genuinely appreciated.
Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
Pekka wrote:
more than 2 years ago
So far I'm not quite as excited about this one as the first one. Bought it a while ago and have given it a couple of spins.
more than 2 years ago
Most people say its better than the debut, you should give it a shot I reckon, I haven't heard much of a bad word said against it by anyone who actually likes the band to begin with. (Have heard negative reviews from anti-hype people though)

Pekka wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I've been listening to the first album like mad recently, if this is anywhere near the greatness of that we're talking about the finest of the year.

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

The Goblin Sessions Heavy Metal
THEM
Buy this album from MMA partners
Tormenta De Arena Metalcore
VORAGO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Infinite Metalcore
FUTURE GHOST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Heretic Melodic Death Metal
SUNCINDER
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Harrowed TwentyTenVideo
HARROWED
Bosh66· 3 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us