Frontiers [Release date 11.05.18]
Originally part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, albeit at the more melodic almost AOR end of the spectrum, Praying Mantis are still going strong. This new album is their 10th studio outing, 11 if you include the ‘Metalmorphosis’ EP issued as a full album in Japan, where they have remained consistently popular.
Led by the Troy brothers Tino (guitar) and Chris (bass), the band formed in the mid 70′s and have had a ‘name’ or two pass through their ranks, including Paul Di’Anno, Clive Burr, Bernie Shaw and Doogie White. But the current line-up of Chris and Tino with Jaycee Cuijpers (vocals), Andy Burgess (guitars and keyboards) and Hans in’t Zandt (drums) is already proving stable and solid.
The opener ‘Keep It Alive’ is a solid, powerful and loud opener; with layered backing vocals and Jaycee’s solid but wide range it’s a great start. Some screaming guitar and a touch of keyboards mid song, it’s polished melodic rock at its best.
The programmed intro to ‘Mantis Anthem’ has an Eloy feel, but then it does move in slight (heavy) power pop direction, a very 80′s feel. Then ‘Time Can Heel’ is a full blown AOR effort – piano and guitar working well together.
With it’s keyboard intro and heavier guitars, and lots of guitar harmonies, ’39 Years’ is a stand-out, and has a Quartz feel. The title track is really worth checking out – a fine groove with a driving bass line from the outset.
Some of the tracks have a really polished sound and tracks like ‘Destiny In Motion’ have both a heavy feel and big production (think strings), nodding to melodic power metal, contrasting well with the AOR elsewhere.
The band’s debut ‘Time Tells No Lies’ was illustrated by Rodney Matthews, an artist the band have reconnected with in recent years and his artwork here is as wonderful as ever.
If you like melodic rock, you’ll love this. ****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 3 November 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 29 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 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 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)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
