Praying Mantis -Time Tells No Lies fan review

Time Tells No Lies reviewed by Jonathan Spinner on Tue 03/16/04

Clearly one of the more distinguishable and unique bands to be lumped in with the NWOBHM movement, the only explanation for Praying Mantis' lack of initial popularity I can possibly think of is bad timing. If this album had been released several years earlier, before England's metal scene had been taken over by the punkish attitude of NWOBHM rockers, I believe it would have been considered among the upper echelon of Brit metal, right up there with melodic metallists UFO and maybe Rainbow. As for the album itself, Time Tells No Lies is definitely on the commercial side, though this is not a bad thing at all, as their unique blend of harmony, melody and crunch makes for a powerful yet uplifting style of heavy music. Perhaps not too far removed from countrymen Tokyo Blade, or late 70s-era UFO. The album kicks off with "Cheated", a Thin Lizzy-reminiscent rocker with a great harmonized chorus. In fact, each and every song on this disc features some of the catchiest choruses I've heard in a long time, similar to what you might find on Iron Maiden's classic The Number of the Beast. Track three, "Rich City Kids" is a sure highlight. Right from the start there is a powerful riff and some great harmony. Sometimes this record makes me feel like I am listening to UFO's "Lights Out", though it is purely original and by no means a copycat. The fourth track, "Lovers To the Grave" is one of the album's biggest highlights. It is a power ballad in the truest sense of the term. The acoustic guitar plays a sad, earnest melody while Tino Troy's powerful, understated vocal performance carries the music along. The lyrics are heartfelt and realistic, a drastic comparison to the typical NWOBHM of the day. By the time you've reached this track, you can start to realize this really isn't a NWOBHM record after all. It is simply too polished and well constructed to be associated with that style. But, that simply makes the album all the more impressive a listen. Track six, "Beads of Ebony" contains my absolute favorite moment of the album. It, too, could be called a ballad, but it is slightly more heavy and less moody than "Lovers To the Grave." The chorus in this song is simply outstanding; the kind you find yourself singing over and over again. This proves that when they are at their best, Praying Mantis are able to compare with rock giants like Thin Lizzy or UFO. Track eight, "Children of the Earth" closes the album with yet another fabulous, melodic, hard-rocking tune. Another simply outstanding harmonized chorus can be found here. Fans of '70s hard rock will surely appreciate this album and embrace it like the lost gem of melodic rock'n'roll that it is.

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Last Modified On 28 Jan 2008