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Artist: Praying Mantis |
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Founded
way back in 1977 Praying Mantis was the dream of the brothers Tino
and Chris Troy and became one of the legends of the whole NWoBHM scene.
Sadly the band never reached the dizzy heights of the likes of Iron
Maiden, but this never stopped the band giving it their all which saw
them through several line up changes, strangely many of which featured
ex Iron Maiden members, with the likes of Paul Di’Anno, Clive Burr and
Dennis Stratton all featuring as part of the band over the years. After
a short hiatus between 2003 and 2007 the band re-grouped with both Troy
brothers joined by Benjy Reid on drums, Andy Burgess on guitars and Mike
Freeland on vocals, and went on to appear at the 'Bang Your Head'
festival, then again later in the summer 2008, the band performed at the
'Headbanger’s Open Air Festival' in Germany. As if that wasn't
enough they even graced the stage at our own fair 'Bloodstock Festival'
in the UK. Now in 2009 the band return with what is the without a
doubt the jewel in the crown of over 30 years in the business, their new
album 'Sanctuary'. This is not only a new chapter in the story of the band, this is a thoroughly modern Praying Mantis and one that marks the bands return in style. This is Hard Rock to the core, with the vocals of Mike Freeland being the biggest boost to the band as they really dominate the album from the off. Take the opening track ‘In Time’, which more than shows the band have well and truly returned to the scene big style and making sure they proclaim loud and proud that their is still plenty of life left in this beast. Together with the nucleus of brother Troy, you know you're going to get a class album. The album continues to impress with the excellent ‘Restless Heart’, again a superb Hard Rock track and yet again Freeland is just superb, with the twin guitars retaining that old school feel to this new era of the band, great stuff. I can't express how much I love this album it just keeps getting better and better after each listen, with each track simply oozing class with the likes of ‘Tears In The Rain’. There's a great guitar feel on this one and the harmonies are also just superb. ‘So High’ feature some great keyboard moments as well as a great vocal performance and some great guitar licks, another great up tempo rocker. This class just keeps on coming with ‘Lonely Way Home’, a mid tempo ballad and the superb ‘Threshold Of A Dream’, which is one of the standout tracks on the album. This song powers through and is almost edging on Prog Metal with its soaring guitars and power-driven rhythm section. ‘Playing God’ once again showcases just how far this band have come over the years with this big guitar driven track. Next we have ‘Highway’, which once again features plenty of big soar away riffs and a powerhouse backbeat, with Freeland at his vocal best. The album is rounded off with the title track ‘Sanctuary’, a six minute plus Melodic Metal epic that completes what has to be the most impressive comeback album of the year, as well as one hell of a must buy album.
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Tracklisting:
1. In Time |
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All content copyright of The Mayfair Mall Zine unless otherwise stated. |
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