Praying Mantis
Sanctuary

Not that I've ever been a fan of the Praying Mantis. To be honest, I've listened to quite a few of their albums, from the very first to the last, just before their "hibernation." But, in all due honesty, they never really thrilled me that much. Classified under the label of "NWOBHM band," these Praying Mantis never "clicked" with me at all.

However, I decided to give this "Sanctuary" a chance and listen to it anyway. Just for the heck of it. This is because I hate prejudices and then, to generalize is not scientific at all, let's be honest.

Well, actually, I was positively impressed by this new release from the British combo. First of all, the thing that stands out positively is the album's production, entrusted to the hands of Andy Reilly (Asia and The Cult, just to name a few), which makes the album much more AOR oriented than heavy metal (which, in my humble opinion, Praying Mantis never was). Then I notice a slight change in line-up. Mike Freeland on vocals, Andy Burgess on second guitar, and Benjy Reid on drums accompany the historical founders Tino and Chris Troy (guitarist and bassist respectively) on this adventure.

And so the show begins with the excellent "In Time" which presents us with a renewed band, not only in line-up but also in songwriting, still capable of saying many things. Above all, what strikes me most is the new singer Mike Freeland, always in the spotlight but careful never to overdo it, perhaps launching into unnecessary high notes that could prove to be a double-edged sword. And here comes a song like "So High", truly an excellent combination of melodic hard rock and heavy metal, with sharp guitars and truly fantastic, fast, and melodic solos and a singer with a rough edge. Not to forget the rhythm section which is truly powerful. An excellent song that would not have looked out of place in one of Axel Rudi Pell's albums…

And if "Restless Heart" or the hit "Threshold Of A Dream" show us a band in great shape, capable of amazing us with excellent roaring hard n’ heavy and, at the same time, melodic (the refrains and the solos in "Thrashold…" are amazing!), the poignant "Lonely Way Home" is an excellent ballad where the leading role is once again entrusted to the very talented Mike's voice. A great ballad that is truly enjoyable to listen to. Neither too sugary nor too syrupy to make everyone diabetic.

In short: I have to change my mind in the summer of 2009. A band that I have always underestimated, perhaps unjustly, or that, heck, I don't know, I've never wanted to delve into so much, managed to give me unique and dreamlike emotions.

An album that I recommend, at this point, to all lovers of melodic heavy-rock "tending" towards AOR (just to use a mathematical expression).

An album that I feel like giving my approval, not with full marks, but that far exceeds the pass mark and will not fail to amaze you.

ByeZ!