Afterglow
Black Country Communion · 2012
57 min · 11 tracks · hard rock
A blend of classic rock influences with powerful vocals and intricate musicianship, showcasing a modern take on hard rock dynamics.
Top tracks — play these first
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Big Train — The opening track sets a high-energy tone for the album with its driving rhythm and powerful vocals, showcasing the band's hard rock roots.
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Cry Freedom — This track combines poignant lyrics with emotive instrumentation, exemplifying the band's ability to merge personal themes with hard-hitting rock elements.
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Afterglow — The title track features an epic arrangement and dynamic shifts that highlight both musical prowess and lyrical depth, serving as a centerpiece for the album.
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Common Man — With its anthemic chorus and relatable themes, this song captures the spirit of resilience and community, resonating strongly with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances energetic rock with melodic depth, showcasing strong musicianship but not breaking new ground in hard rock.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with driving guitar riffs, while the second half shifts to more melodic and introspective pieces.
- The track 'Afterglow' serves as a central piece, blending both heavy and softer elements, creating a contrast that defines the album's emotional arc.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- powerful anthems for group listening
- reflective moments for quiet evenings
- dynamic shifts in emotional intensity
- cathartic release through soaring vocals
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- want short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released as the third studio album by Black Country Communion, Afterglow came out during a period of resurgence for the supergroup, following their previous albums in 2010 and 2011. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying its identity within the hard rock genre, featuring renowned musicians like Joe Bonamassa and Glenn Hughes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Rival Sons· Joe Bonamassa· Deep Purple
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Big Train 4:17
- 2 This Is Your Time 4:32
- 3 Midnight Sun 5:17
- 4 Confessor 5:08
- 5 Cry Freedom 5:09
- 6 Afterglow 6:06
- 7 Dandelion 4:02
- 8 The Circle 7:01
- 9 Common Man 5:26
- 10 The Giver 5:23
- 11 Crawl 5:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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