Praying Mantis-Metalmorphosis 30th Anniversary Special Edition EP

Praying Mantis 2011

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their album "Time Tells No Lies" Praying Mantis are set to release Metalmorphosis a collection of re-recorded material in Feb. of this year. This classic NWOBHM band gained exposure with the track "Captured City" on Metal For Muthas before releasing "Time Tells No Lies" in 1981. Despite the fact that the album was filled with great melodic metal rock and harmonized vocals (making it stand out in the crowded field of British hard rock bands of the time) and received great press the band disappeared shortly thereafter. It wouldn't be until 1991 that the band would show up again with "Live At Last". With their last album "Sanctuary" showing that Tino and Chris Troy (brothers, founders and the only consistent members of Praying Mantis) still had the chops to deliver great metal Praying Mantis now release this EP which will only be available on the band's website and at live shows. Metalmorphosis features the following tracks: "Children Of The Earth", "Praying Mantis", "Lovers To The Grave", "Panic In The Street" and "Captured City". Other than "Praying Mantis" these tracks were all on "Time Tells No Lies" (exception being the single "Captured City"). All feature the latest line up of the band-the Troy brothers (Tino on guitar and Chris on bass),Benjy Reid-drums, Andy Burgess-guitar and Mike Freeland vocals. Starting with "Children Of The Earth" captures the energy of the original and features some wicked cool guitar riffs. "Praying Mantis" is a nice heavy rocker and "Lovers To The Grave" is melodic and beautiful. I really love the new versions that feature some slick production giving the EP a nice modern rock sound. "Panic In The Streets" sounds fresh and reminds me of why I love Praying Mantis so much. Harmony and heaviness mix with pounding drums and electric guitar solos that are just flashy enough to give you that fuzzy rock-n-roll love. And finally "Captured City" which was the best track on Metal For Muthas and is the best track here. It's a great re-recorded version of the classic single. It's all so good but so very short. Five songs is just a teaser and makes you want more and more. It was truly a pleasure for me to have received this promo all the way from Europe. Praying Mantis are truly one of the elite bands to come out of the NWOBHM movement. If you've never heard "Time Tells No Lies" then track down a copy. There last album "Sanctuary" is also killer stuff and worth a listen. This EP though is simply too good too pass up. For more information visit the group's website.

http://www.praying-mantis.com/mantis/