PRAYING MANTIS - NOWHERE TO HIDE - PONY CANYON PCCY01462

Ah, Praying Mantis, one of a multitude of bands which heralded in the NWOBHM back in the late 70's/early 80's . The difference between Mantis and similar bands of that era is almost every other band had a brief flirtation with fame, or even some degree of success, a defining album, providing a vocalist or guitarist for some bigger act or perhaps a top ten single. It has taken Praying Mantis nigh on twenty years to finally get the attention they deserve In their homeland, with their current release Nowhere to Hide. Musically, Mantis have changed quite a bit over the years from their initial dabbling in metal to the Immaculately refined sound of their new CD. The basis of the band is still brothers Chris (bass) and Tino Troy (guitar, keys) although this time round they have created a record by finally recording successive albums with the same line up. Vocals are handled by the excellent Tony O'Hora, whom some will remember sang backing vocals on the first two Balance Of Power albums as well as his own solo project Horakane which got a Japanese release last year. The line up is rounded out by guitarist Denis Stratton (ex Iron Maiden) and drummer Bruce Bisland. The opener, which is the title track, crashes In on a crescendo of keyboards and guitars before Tony O'Hora delivers the opening lines in a powerful but controlled fashion, and the listener is soon aware he is in for a veritable treat.

Stylistically the music falls somewhere between the first Balance Of Power album, only harder with far superior vocals and the latest Fair Warning offering 4 , but with a few Thin Lizzy and Styx influences thrown in for good measure. This is not to say Mantis are simply copycats , because in fact, they are anything but. The music on offer is original, powerful and played with a great deal of conviction. Get a listen to the pompish splendour of Cruel Winter, the ripping guitar work of Stratton on the self penned Future of the World , or marvel at the beautiful ballad Whenever I'm Lost. The album closer SOS starts off with a twin guitar riff that wouldn't be out of place on either a Lizzy or Maiden album before some crafty keyboard work carries us through the chorus on which the backing vocal's are massive. Indeed the backing vocals throughout the entire album are superb, they are so good in fact it should be compulsive for all aspiring new bands to listen to them before attempting their own. I could go on, but by now you should have the picture , this is a thoroughly excellent album throughout and no self respecting fan of decent hard rock music should be without this in his or her collection. Production is handled by Tino Troy and Steve Mann (he of Liar fame I wonder??) and is absolutely HUGE! With material like this, how Praying Mantis have never broken the UK market remains a mystery, while in Japan they are worshipped from on high. Once again our Japanese friends show us they know a good thing when they see it, however European readers will soon have the opportunity to pick up this release at standard prices as Now and Then/Frontiers will Issue the CD in September. This is one of the albums of the year without doubt, go on treat yourself ........ Kieran Dargan

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