(Mazur) Frontiers Records is excited to announce the release o[f] the new Praying Mantis studio album entitled "Sanctuary" in the USA. [You'll have to guess the release date since it wasn't provided.]Praying Mantis is of the prime movers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Founded by brothers Chris (bass, vocals) and Tino (guitar, vocals) Troy in the UK, the band debuted in 1981 with the release of "Time Tells No Lies, an album that still today is considered one of the best expressions of that musical period, even if it did not meet with much commercial fortune.
In 1990 Praying Mantis finally reformed with a new line-up featuring two ex-Iron Maiden cohorts: Paul Di'Anno (on vocals) and Dennis Stratton (on guitar), with Bruce Bisland on drums, and thanks to the interest of some Japanese promoters, released a live album ("Live At Last") in 1990, recorded during that tour. The success gained in the Eastern lands convinced the band about the possibility of a permanent reunion and with a renewed line-up (the band featured during this time ex-MSG singer Gary Barden, then Mark Thompson-Smith, and later Tony O'Hora on vocals) they went on to release six studio albums and one live album.
After 2003's "The Journey Goes On," an album that featured different singers, most notably John Sloman (ex-Lone Star) and Dougie White (Malmsteen, Rainbow), the band entered a hiatus period, which was finally broken in the summer of 2007 when a new incarnation of the band - formed by the Troy brothers, with Benjy Reid on drums, Andy Burgess on guitars, and Mike Freeland on vocals - appeared at the Bang Your Head festival and later, in the summer 2008, at the Headbanger's Open Air Festival in Germany and at the Bloodstock Festival in the UK, while writing a brand new stunning studio album.
Entitled "Sanctuary" the new album was recorded in Atlanta under the direction of producer/engineer Andy Reilly (Asia, The Cult, Bruce Dickinson, FM). The music is instantly recognizable and features plenty of great melodies and songs.
"Hard to believe but Mantis have been in existence for over thirty years," said Chris Troy. "Quite incredible really that we are still there releasing albums and maturing nicely. I know its probably a cliche statement used by so many bands, but I do honestly believe it is by far the best thing we have ever done. The lyrics on most songs are quite deep and in some ways dark, but I think this suits the music, which is intrinsically based on minor chord structures (the saddest chords). There are some real epics and dueling guitar harmonies in the standard Mantis style and all the fans who have heard it so far have been giving us some great feedback."
The final track listing includes: "In Time," "Restless Heart," "Tears in the Rain," "So High," "Lonely Way Home," "Touch the Rainbow," "Threshold of a Dream," "Playing God," "Highway," and "Sanctuary."
What we have on "Sanctuary" is a band that contains some very fine and experienced musicians who have put together a collection of songs that create a really classic album. "To those have remained with Mantis through the highs and lows of our career we salute you," Troy said. "We hope you enjoy the new album and we dedicate it to you. Very special thanks!"
