Praying Mantis

NWOBHM or New Wave of British Heavy Metal might be one of the most significant developments in Heavy Metal for old folks like me.  Out of the foundation that Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple created came the harder and tougher edged sound that was led by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Diamond Head, Def Leppard, and many more iconic bands.  Of course from that we had the split of fans moving to Glam and some moving to Thrash.  This split again to the extreme genres we have today.   What I’m trying to get at is, obviously without Sabbath, Zeppelin, and Purple we would not have Heavy Metal, but without NWOBHM we wouldn’t have it in the multiple forms we love today.

PRAYING MANTIS … a mythical name on the European metal scene. Personally I have found via the fantastic album artwork signed by Rodney Matthews. The English group was founded in the mid-70 led by brothers Troy. It had its boom with the explosion of the early NWOBH 80. Having been on the Metal For Muthas compilation, the label Arista signed their contract and the release of their debut album Time Tells No Lies was well received by critics. Unfortunately problems of line-up and management contributed to the separation of the group. At the beginning of the next decade, the brothers Troy DECIDE to resurrect PRAYING MANTIS. Japanese label Pony Canyon, and they signed a contract in 1991 the band recorded a new album Predator In Disguise. Several other albums followed and the group was formed a solid fan base primarily in Japan. After several lineup changes, the group is still present.
In 2010, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album Time Tells No Lies, the group offers its fans an EP containing 5 tracks of this album re-recorded by the current group. Exercise is sympathetic to rediscover these compositions with a production more modern. No revolution or bold reinterpretation here, the songs are repeated with great respect for the original. Of course there are here and there some minor differences but we would hope that Praying Mantis is loose and reinvents itself. A nice EP, available on the official website, designed especially for fans or those who wish to rediscover a cult.

Praying Mantis – Metalmorphosis

(CD, Praying Mantis, 2011)

The late 1970s and the early 1980s was a magical era for Heavy Metal music. Many great bands, like IRON MAIDEN, SAXON, DEF LEPPARD, RAVEN and ANGEL WITCH, emerged from Britain at that point of time, forming a musical movement known as N.W.O.B.H.M.

PRAYING MANTIS is considered to be one of the most prominent members of the N.W.O.B.H.M., despite the fact that Hard Rock, or even AOR elements were incorporated in their sound. They gained exposure with the track “Captured City” on legendary “Metal For Muthas” collection. They released “Time Tells No Lies” in 1981, achieving critical acclaim, but a variety of problems cost their momentum. The band managed a reemergence in the 1990s.

Band: Praying Mantis

Album: Metamorphosis

Label: Pony Canyon

Genre: New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NwoBHM)

Release Date: 20.02.2011

Rezensent: Patrick Schmid

Redaktion: Lady Metal Webzine

Lineup:
Mike Freeland – Vocals
Andy Burgess – Guitar
Tino Troy – Guitar
Chris Troy – Bass
Benjamin “Benjy” Reid – Drums

Tracklist:
01. Children of the Earth
02. Praying Mantis
03. Lovers to the Grave
04. Panic in the Streets
05. Captured City

There are names belonging to the rock-metal scene, where it is always nice to come across and one of them is that of the Praying Mantis. Time Tells No Lies They had been in 1981 in the heart of many fans, and even if it was not worth to ensure the band a place in the Olympus of the largest, the title was indeed prophetic, as the name of the Praying Mantis almost universally regarded as very important in the history of the NWOBHM. The band-except some-times has always been active, rotating around the figures of the founding members: the brother Troy, who, proudly carrying high the banner of the praying mantis, continued their musical history along with other musicians. Thirty years have passed from the market Time Tells No Lies, and the band decided to celebrate the anniversary self-produced an EP called Limited Edition Metalmorphosis. The EP contains five tracks recorded by the old line-up today, made arrangements to live longer and slightly more modern sound obviously more powerful than the original.
Of the five songs that make up the tracklist, three are drawn from the historical record just mentioned (Children Of The Earth, Lovers To The Grave and Panic in the Streets), while the other two are Praying Mantis, the first single from the historical and Captured City Group, emerged from the Soundhouse Tapes Part of The tracklist. 2 and the compilation Metal For Muthas. An authentic piece of history of our music, which I hope everyone knows at least in name.

Band: Praying Mantis
Title: Metalmorphosis
Label: Frontiers Records
Written by: Nicole Fritz
Can join a band, and the NWoBHM Rock like no other, celebrates her 30th Birthday. When an institution such as Praying Mantis has to commit such an occasion, it must be appreciated accordingly. What can better serve as a record number of new candy from the past three decades? Those who still remember the almost two years ago published and still current album ‘Sanctuary’, recalls the will hardly be surprised that this is the two founding members, brothers Chris and Tino Troy, and their brave comrades Andy Burgess, Benjy Reid and Mike Freeland is effortless. Sure, it’s always difficult to interpret a new classic, but if anyone can, then a band that is well over thirty years and remained abundant through lean times and despite the often bitter line-up problems and always faithful to their style could make a distinctive trademark.

After the TYGERS OF PAN TANG now begin the NWOBHM stalwarts PRAYING MANTIS, as an anniversary gift to the fans to submit their old hits with the current occupation of a makeover. With great success. The melodic hard rockers “Children of the Earth” from ’81, “Time Tells No Lies” album has definitely more power and even going through as a proto-metal. The single track “Praying Mantis” is spiced up with a nice Hammond organ and is more relaxed, but still powerful geschubbert like the original from that time, more than 30 years, from the speakers. What’s next? “Lovers to the grave”? Friends, I and you, Sir Lord Doom and PRAYING MANTIS, which will remain an eternal love. Even with the new version of one of the best classic rock ballads of all time is on this emotional bond, is perhaps even intensified, the bringing into it the more mature gentlemen here even more feeling.
The gaudy piece NWOBHM “Panic in the Streets” from their debut album rocks the house then very forcefully, is also still a bit heavier than the original version, which is not in production, but the unbridled enthusiasm of the musicians. “Captured City”, probably the hit song by the British, is heavier, earthy and edgy presented is, of course, still the same wonderful song like 1981, in the new version just harsh and metallic. I know both versions are on their way to appreciate and express my praise has to MANTIS. Great music, really great music. As with the TYGERS I wonder if this way does not respawn even the old fire, the passion of the initial phase. The band over the years was always good and solid, but there is always a little more. The brothers show with this EP. Compulsory for all NWOBHM fanatics!