AL MAURO "Nightmare" (The Dream Video) Original Full Version

NIGHTMARE REVIEW MARCH 08'


One of the first things you notice about this particular video - and it is quite obvious for it is the first thing you see - is the hand-cam work.

Because honesty and integrity are what I value above everything else (save perhaps the occasional bucket of greasy KFC), I want to be perfectly honest. This work was not done by a certified professional; much as I am not a professional reviewer and do reviews pretty much for the love of the game. That singular fact does not undermine the achievement which is absolutely and undeniably what the music video is. The fact that this footage was shot by the hand of a young man, one of Al's buddies who is now actively involved with that field, makes the footage all the more remarkable. 'Haunting' and 'insomnia' are two words that spring to mind during the first segment. It's daytime and Al can't sleep; his mind is riddled with things that refuse to allow him any form of serenity. It's that motif. . That haunting sound enhanced by the grainy, shaky, volatile palette that give us everything that we think we need to know- nightmare?- before-

BANG

Darkness. . guitar. . a dark, brooding backdrop and rain.

This is a friend I have known for a considerable amount of time - I've only seen him in uniform or casual, being one of life's warriors; fighting the good fight that we all have to fight. On the screen I can see a live manifestation of this energy. Ladies and gentlemen - Elvis has just left the building, entered the Tardis, and shaken a few years to take on a much darker look. Not that I directly associate my good friend with The King you understand (though his profile ain't that far off). No, I don't want to be in the iron sights of the firing squad for that one. But I can almost see a blueprint here, on the screen. Al is out there, in front of me, giving himself to the music. The music: his passion, anger, frustration, power. It's all here. . and it's electric.

I think it would be fair to say that Al Mauro in this video footage is allowing us to see him unleashing himself - opening those flood gates. Yet, he channels the flow of the music, so that it never gets out of hand or away from us. Indeed, we don't see the beast; but we do note the battle scars that many others have left.

I am reminded somewhat of the music of Joy Division or of New Order; only AL's voice does not allow us to make such associations for very long. He takes us back and makes us see his music.

I think that this has to be respected in a way. And that last image of holding the guitar before fade to black reaffirms the bond between artist and instrument. So closely we hold dearly to us that which after all is said and done, allows us to channel our energies, and show other people, just what we have got to offer.

Rob Nortcliff
(Writer/Actor)




"Nightmare".
Produced by Gus Caveda
Directed by Oshan, Nate Spears, Chris Buzzo

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Al
• Mauro
• OSHAN
• Nightmare
• Music
• Gus
• Caveda
• Review
• Robert
• Nortcliff
• Nate
• Spears
• Chris
• Buzzo
• Scarlett
• Knight
• Agency

[Strider1978]

Wow .. darkness. . intensity. . hard emotion. Well shot, good combinations. The dark neo Elvis of rock.

[tmac032986]

Wow. I still can't get over how well we put this thing together. Absolutely a blessing. To everyone out there on this page... hold on to your seats. If you even remotely like anything you see here, be ready. Be ready for the next video. It will blow your mind.

[oshanseneviratne]

hey my name is Oshan too!! :)

[memphisbeale007]

Nightmare as a film and song, are tied together as a representative presentation of the director of this film, who uses a distinctive style, in presenting a song and film, for which the use of this film formula, is set in stone, tied to this song.

The creator of this film, in its frame work, shows artistic abilities and will no doubt have no problem drawing from the same sources, to make the next distinctive film and related song, in telling the story of the artist.

[memphisbeale007]

Nightmare is one of my favorite songs, have heard in the past year.

Whoever directed and created this film, and the concept used, has encapsulated this song, to where the next song and film will have to be a totally different concept, because it will be judged by this perfomance. Whoever did this film I feel confident will have a completely new pallet, to work on, and will have no problem designing equally awesome new visual concepts.

[mysweetlord7]

Alot of emotion, must have been bout a chick.

[wonderrman1]

Fricken awesome.

[DeathOfChaos]

Wow, this is cool. This looks like it's professionally done to me. It's awesome, and the song is good!!! :D

[oshanalive]

A girl.

[dreamyst]

By the way, the above message was in response to a very negative comment that was left and has since been deleted. It is not toward Oshan. :)

[wiccanblessings]

This is really well put together. I am loving the darkness...it really does depict the NIGHTMARE of which you lived for too long. Good luck in your career and I cannot wait to see and hear more of your artistic abilities. Those who leave the negativity in their comments are probably only jealous their successes are not as great as what yours are going to be! Wiccan Blessings to you my friend!