Recorded live at Frontiers Rock Festival V in Milan, Italy on 28th April 2018, this brand new live release shows Praying Mantis performing a setlist of new songs and several classic tracks to a packed crowd, including selected cuts from their now legendary debut album, ‘Time Tells No Lies’. Overall, it showcases the repertoire of one of the most consistent British hard rock bands around.
Originally formed in 1973 by the Troy brothers, Tino and Chris, Praying Mantis became one of the most influential bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). They are also one of a very small number of acts from that era to have remained an ongoing concern over the intervening years, and they still record and appear live regularly.
Time Tells No Lies’ was released in 1981 to critical acclaim, and it remains a significant milestone in the history of the NWOBHM movement. Following a short-lived reformation of most of the original Praying Mantis line-up in 1987, they went back on hiatus until offered the chance to play in Japan with ex-Iron Maiden members Paul Di’Anno and Dennis Stratton in 1990.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2snQoVcUjE&w=560&h=315]
This experience injected new life into the band, and also marked the beginning of a productive fifteen year partnership with Stratton. The band’s second official studio album, ‘Predator in Disguise’, was released in 1991, and they have continued to write and release new material regularly ever since, with a shifting line-up that has featured the likes of Doogie White, Gary Barden, Bernie Shaw, Bruce Bisland, Mike Freeland, Gary Mackenzie and other figures from the cream of Britain’s rock fraternity.
Following another major line-up change (including the departure of Stratton), Praying Mantis signed to Frontiers and recorded the album ‘Sanctuary’, which was released in 2009. Considered to be one of the finest albums of their career, it received positive reviews, as have two follow-up efforts, ’Legacy’ and ‘Gravity’.
Whether gigging in support of their latest releases, writing new material, or revisiting songs from their now extensive back-catalogue, the Troy brothers, along with guitarist Andy Burgess and newest recruits, John ‘Jaycee’ Cuijpers on vocals and Hans In T’ Zandt on drums and vocals, remain committed to the blend of melody and power in their music that has become a trademark of the Praying Mantis sound, and, over four decades since forming, the band is still completely dedicated to entertaining a seemingly ever-growing army of fans across the globe.
pre-order / streaming link
KEEP IT ALIVE
TRACKLISTING
1 Captured City
2 Panic In The Streets
3 Highway
4 Believable
5 Keep It Alive
6 Mantis Anthem
7 Dream On
8 Fight For Your Honour
9 Time Slipping Away
10 Children Of The Earth
TRACKLISTING
1 Captured City
2 Panic In The Streets
3 Highway
4 Believable
5 Keep It Alive
6 Mantis Anthem
7 Dream On
8 Fight For Your Honour
9 Time Slipping Away
10 Children Of The Earth
PRAYING MANTIS
John ‘Jaycee’ Cuijpers : lead vocals
Andy Burgess : guitars
Tino Troy : guitars & vocals
Chris Troy : bass & vocals
Hans In ’t Zandt : drums
prayingmantis.rocks
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facebook.com/PrayingMantisUKRockMetal
twitter.com/troymantis
