Metal Sludge — If you clicked on this article because you thought this was going to pick apart this band, you have guessed correctly.
Well, partially correct… as it’s not all bad.
Cleanbreak which is possibly the dumbest band name since Sunbomb, is you guessed correctly again, another Frontier Music Srl super-group.
And the band even features members of Stryper, what a shock right?
Cleanbreak consists of former American Idol contestant and one-time Quiet Riot frontman James Durbin, former FireHouse and current Stryper bassist Perry Richardson, Robert Sweet of Stryper on drums and Mike Flyntz of Riot on guitars.
In reality their new single “Dream Forever” is pretty damn solid even though a google search for the same or similar song title yields 26,700,000 results.
Outside of the generic title, I’ll be the first one to say this song rocks and cranking this in your car or at the Rainbow Bar, it would surely have most giving it a thumbs up.
But… there are a few problems I have uncovered along with a snippet or two of greatness.
Out of the box the guitar riff is super mean and heavy, and it’s absolutely one of the few highlights in the song.
Next, there is no denying James Durbin can sing his ass off. Kudos to him, man he has pipes.
However, I just listened to the song 5 minutes ago (twice) and cannot remember a single lyric?
The musical performances across the board are all killer, especially the guitar work by Flyntz and vocals from Durbin.
The tune is much more modern sounding than old school rock but I can see most 80’s fans still appreciating this.
Let me also add, that the overall production and mix is top notch to my 5 decade old ears.
My biggest complaint here, is the video itself.
Simply put, it’s weak at best.
According to the information tab on the Youtube clip, the credits note the following:
Video by NLIGHT PRODUCTIONS
Produced by Enzo Mazzeo
Filmed & Directed by Federico Janni
Editor: Federico Janni
I hate to say it, but NLIGHT PRODUCTIONS just ruined this band’s kick ass video single with their inept abilities.
Federico Janni… are you serious?
Have you watched back your sync’d performances of Robert Sweet drumming at .50, 2:10, 2:20, 2:40 & 3:15?
To anyone reading this, I implore you to go watch this train-wreck of an editing job below.
The horrific editing speaks volumes, and just takes away from what could have been here.
I could have done better, and I have never edited a video in my life!
I also see that Federico Janni filmed the video.
The video has so many bad clips it’s hard to list them all.
There are countless shots featuring roadies, lighting crew, a fog machine operator, the make-up lady and multiple camera-men all standing around and getting equal or more time than the actual band themselves.
Serious bro?
Grade-school kids are doing better work on iPhones for TikTok in their bedrooms.
And who the hell organized, planned and decided what this whole shoot would look like and what to bring?
Why was this shot in a boxing ring?
I checked the lyrics, and figured maybe I’d see something like; “Fighting for your love”, “Another round of your love” or similar, but nope… not a reference in sight that makes sense to film this in a boxing ring or gym.
Perry couldn’t bring a non Stryper issued Yellow & Black Attack bass?
Why didn’t Robert just bring the side-ways drum set too?
What about the Stryper back-drop?
The roadie shows off his FireHouse shirt not once, not twice, but three times…. which is a huge fail regardless of the band’s swag you’re sporting.
Added in is cigar smoking, standing around in the bathroom, parked cars, pop-up style photo shoots and other useless random footage.
I’m giving this 2 Stars out of 5.
The 1 Star is for Durbin and his voice… and the other Star is for the guitar work from Flyntz.
Guys I am not being a hater here, your song is very solid but the video is pure garbage.
In the end, you really should consider a clean break from that entire video crew.
—————————————————————–
“DREAM FOREVER”
(Durbin, Del Vecchio, Jepsen Andersen)
So many lonely nights
We let them go untethered In this unholy life
We live and learn together Here in the darkness
The walls all close around us When we return again
What will we still remember?
Here, take my word & I’ll open your eyes I feel the coming time
Beyond the ties that bind
We cannot hide inside a Dream Forever Our love is paradigm
For we are one soul, sublime
We’re living lost inside a Dream, Forever The laws of give & take
Will try to come between us But we are heaven sent
As long as we are fearless
Believe my words & I’ll open your eyes I feel the coming time
Beyond the ties that bind
We cannot hide inside a Dream Forever Our love is paradigm
For we are one soul, sublime
We’re living lost inside a Dream, Forever I feel the coming time
Beyond the ties that bind
We cannot hide inside a Dream Forever Our love is paradigm
For we are one soul, sublime
We’re living lost inside a Dream, Forever
