Here's a review from Powerplay Magazine

PRAYING MANTIS

"FOREVER IN TIME"

When it comes to New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands, the annals of time seem to have forgotten Praying Mantis.

While other NWOBHM bands like Iron Maiden and Def Leppard have remained viable in recent years, Praying Mantis, which at one time or another included several ex-Maiden members, has achieved primary success only in Japan. Perhaps that's why the band's latest album, Nowhere to Hide, was released in Japan before it hit the rest of the world. (Now & Then Productions/Frontiers Records has plans to release the disc in Europe later this year.) And thanks to Europe's Zoom Records, much of the Mantis back catalog has also been reissued (with bonus tracks, in some cases) to the UK. (I don't believe this is true - Jon)

Among the reissues is 1998's "Forever in Time", a near perfect blend of pomp and prog featuring the Mantis debut of vocalist extraordinaire Tony 0'Hora (but unfortunately no bonus tracks). While a previously rotating line-up of singers proved credible, Praying Mantis reaches a new level with 0'Hora's clear, soaring and downright heavenly vocals. But is it possible for a band to record one of its best albums 17 years after its debut, "Time Tells No Lies"? You bet. Apparently, Mantis' co-founding brothers Tino (guitars) and Chris (bass and keyboards) Troy agree: "Nowhere to Hide" boasts the same roster as "Forever in Time", which also includes drummer Bruce-Bisland and guitarist Dennis Stratton.

The title track alone from "Forever in Time" - with numerous musical passages, spiritually haunting lyrics and excellent group vocals - is worth listening to again and again. Other highlights like "The Messiah", "Best Years' and "Blood of Angel" flirt with AOR pride, and "Valley of the Kings", "Changes" and "The Day The Sun Turned Cold" proudly follow prop-rock sensibilities. The brothers Troy wrote the majority of music and lyrics on "Forever in Time", but 0'Hora gets credit for the album's only ballad, "Remember My Name" - a powerful descent into the nightmare of lost love.

Checking out the rest of the Praying Mantis catalog in preparation for "Nowhere to Hide" isn't a bad idea, but if you don't believe in saving the best for last, pickup "Forever in Time" first.

SOUND 8/10

SONGS 9/10

GENRE 8/10

MICHAEL POPKE

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