Metal Recusants ‘Metalmorphosis’ Review
Release Review: Praying Mantis – Metalmorphosis
I don’t think there’s a single metalhead out there that hasn’t heard of Iron Maiden or Def Leppard and doesn’t recognize their importance in the development of heavy metal music, regardless of whether they’re fans or not. Yet many other bands from the same period remain largely unknown to the younger generation of metalheads, one of them being Praying Mantis.
Praying Mantis is a heavy metal/hard rock band formed in the mid-70’s and is one of the bands associated with the rise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the early 80’s. Back in February they released an EP titled ‘Metalmorphosis’ to celebrate 30 years since the release of their critically acclaimed album ‘Time Tells no Lies’. The EP includes 5 songs which are all new versions of older hits, re-recorded by the current line-up.
The EP, which clocks in at just under half an hour, is very accessible and easy to listen to. It has everything you would expect from a NWOBHM band: upbeat tempo songs, melodic, soaring vocals, guitar solos and catchy riffs and a decent ballad to calm things down a bit. The music feels very 80’s, but sounds very fresh at the same time, which goes to show that reinterpreting old songs is not always a bad move. They may not be as popular and as successful as some of their contemporaries, but they’re equally good and deserve much more attention.
Obviously, this is highly recommended to fans of Iron Maiden and any other band belonging to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, but I think it can be appreciated by any metal fan who enjoys a bit of old school/traditional heavy metal.
Metalmorphosis EP:
1. Children of the Earth
2. Praying Mantis
3. Lovers to the Grave
4. Panic in the Streets
5. Captured City
Praying Mantis are:
Chris Troy – Bass & Vocals
Tino Troy – Guitars & Vocals
Andy Burgess – Guitars
Benjy Reid – Drums
Mike Freeland – Vocals
More Praying Mantis:
