Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Keep It Alive

December 24th, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 06.12.19]

Formed in London in the mid 70s by the Troy brothers Tino (guitar) and Chris (bass), Praying Mantis were associated with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, but have always been at the more melodic end, almost AOR compared to their contemporaries. They have, however, remained solid and continue to record some fantastic material. A wonderful back catalogue that has at one time featured Paul Di’Anno and Dennis Stratton. Lead vocalists have come and gone, and now with John Cuijpers (who replaced the solid sounding Mike Freeland), who has built on the band’s wonderful sound over the last few studio albums. This live set features material across their catalogue (it’s not all about the first album, which is essential listening) and it’s a solid performance from the outset.

Alongside brothers Troy and vocalist Cuijpers are long time rhythm guitarist Andy Burgess and drummer Hans in’t Zandt.

Recorded in 2018 around the release of the excellent Gravity album, Keep It Alive is the band’s 3rd live album. Opener is the classic Captured City, and is a little heavier here, next up is Panic In The Streets which is blistering; a great drum intro too. The more recent Highway Is a little more melodic, but shows good vocal range, and a great feel on the guitar too. Likewise with Believable, which the crowd love. Some great guitar harmonies, and proof that Cuijpers has adapted to the band’s catalogue new and old well.

And although there is a melodic feel running throughout the band’s music, some very solid moments and blistering guitar solos pepper the songs and do stand out.

Closer is the epic, classic and brilliant Children Of The Earth, which on every level is a great song and great performance.

On the plus side too, there is the DVD of the performance, and overall my only criticism is that it’s 10 songs, a longer set would have been nice.

I do love Praying Mantis, they are always a great listen, and with so much of their catalogue currently unavailable (including a couple of albums never released in the UK), rarely has a co-ordinated reissue campaign been so overdue. ****1/2

Review by Joe Geesin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)