On disc: Praying Mantis

 
 Sanctuary
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Gravity
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Gravity

(Frontiers Records - 2018)



 
 

 

My first contact with Praying Mantis was the sampler Metal Explosion in 1980 which was put together by Tommy Vance's Friday Rock Show incl. Samson, Praying Mantis, Angel Witch, Trespass, Taurus, More and Money. Now Praying Mantis present their 11th album - Gravity. Right away, the album is softer, not the typical NWoBHM, more AOR-ish.



The Troy brothers were founding the band in the 1970's and with Time Tells No Lies they had a great debut album, but while bands like Iron Maiden made it big, Praying Mantis stayed more underground. And with Keep It Alive they kick off Gravity. Sure, they have been through changes, but the current line-up is a strong one and is able to keep the NWoBHM sound alive and make it sound modern.




 


With Mantis Anthem they present a slow, stomping rocker with John Cuijpers' emotional vocals. Perhaps shorten this one would have been a good idea... it get's a bit repetitive towards the end. One of my faves is 39 Years which has the twin guitar harmonies, riffs  and great vocals. A prominent bass line leads into the title track Gravity. Chris Troy's bass sticks out during the song and gives it an interesting dynamic. Destiny In Motion is quite catchy and invites you to sing along. With Foreign Affair you get a powerful ballad. Enchanting.



These days Praying Mantis are more based in classic rock, but if you like classic rock with a metal edge, then give Gravity a chance!





 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 










Sanctuary

(Frontiers - 2009)



 
 

 

Praying Mantis were always seen as a NWoBHM band, but actually the band always were more melodic. They started in the mid-70's and it was bad luck that they never really made it. Line-up changes didn't help, too. After 2 releases in the early 80's it took them til the 1991 to return with Predator In Disguise. During the next years they released albums more frequently, but after The Journey Goes On (2003) they kinda disappeared again and only played some shows - mainly festivals - til now. But singers like Paul DiAnno and Gary Barden should have drawn attention to this British band. The British band is now back with a new album called Sanctuary.

The Troy brothers and their mates kick off with In Time, a very melodic up-tempo rocker. And soon it becomes clear that Praying Mantis is these days more AOR then heavy metal. At Restless Heart singer Mike Freeland reminds me a bit of Michael Sadler... Like an AOR-ish version of Saga. At So High they get a bit heavier and enter the hard rock genre... An ear catcher! The following Lonely Way Home starts acoustically, a balladesque tune with emotional vocals. Touching. And by now as I'm half-way through the album, I already know that this one will spin quite frequently in my player! With Threshold Of A Dream they present a catchy melodic metal tune while Playing God is a progressive heavy rocker, but all songs have in common great melody lines! So AOR fans should check out the new Praying Mantis album Sanctuary! I recommend Restless Heart, Lonely Way Home, Threshold Of A Dream and Sanctuary.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 







 
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