Cleanbreak - We Are The Fire
(Frontiers Music SRL - 2024)
(Style: Heavy Metal /Melodic Hard Rock)
Cleanbreak are back with their second album ‘We Are The Fire’. James Durbin is a vocalist/musician who has been making waves in the Heavy Metal world over the last few years. I myself have heard his solo album ‘The Beast Awakens’ released in 2021.
When names like Steven Tyler, Sammy Hagar and Rob Halford are singing your praises, then you must be doing something right. So let’s see what Durbin (Vocals). Mike Flyntz (Guitars). Alessandro Del Vecchio (Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals) and Nicholas Papapicco (Drums) have delivered with their sophomore release.
‘Warrior’s Anthem’ opens the album and has an Alter Bridge feel to it in places with its musical arrangement. A strong anthem to begin the march into the fire. ‘Never Gone’ follows and reminds me of a band called Neonfly, both musically and vocally. ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘Can’t Lose Hope’ are the next two songs. The latter has a up lifting musical arrangement and lyrics that makes it a positive, catchy tune.
Mike Flyntz on guitar offers some nice fret work throughout. ‘Breathless’ keeps the album rolling on and Durbin’s vocals are showcased nicely here over another impressive track. ‘Deal With Yourself’ is a straight ahead rocker with good energy.
A change of pace comes next with the power ballad ‘Love Again’ where Durbin’s vocal and Flyntz guitar work really come to the fore. Nicholas Papapicco’s drum work is at the centre of ‘Bide Our Time’ which is a decent track overall. ‘Start To Breathe’ provides strong drum and guitar playing. The solo from Flyntz being the highlight. Durbin’s vocal comes across with control and feeling too.
Title track ‘We Are The Fire’ is full of powerful drumming, relentless riffs, melodic keyboard and an impressive solo. The album closes with the Judas Priest like ‘Resilience in our Souls’ which delivers power and energy similar to that of the iconic Painkiller.
With this album you can certainly see why James Durbin is highly regarded by his peers. He and his bandmates on this collaboration have produced a good album of melodic hard rock fused with heavy metal. At just under 45 minutes ‘We Are The Fire’ is a sharp, concise eleven tracks of blazing rockers which certainly bring the fire!
7/10
By Carl Mace