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Praying Mantis: Defiance
Praying Mantis - Defiance Album Art

Praying Mantis: Defiance

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 16.04.2024 | Released: 19.04.2024

The history of England's Praying Mantis is well known. Formed prior to the origin of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal by the Troy brothers (Chris and Tino), the band is often recognized as an influencer upon the genre. Their 1981 debut album, Time Tells No Lies is still considered a classic of the era. Also, noteworthy is the bands intersection with and inclusion of past Iron Maiden members including Dennis Stratton, Paul Di'Anno, and Clive Burr. After a hiatus which spanned most of the Eighties, the Troy brothers would reform Praying Mantis in 1990. Despite personnel changes the band would release six albums between 1991 and 2003. Three years later, Stratton would leave the band. A new era begin with Andy Burgess filling in on guitar, then John Cuijpers and Hans in't Zandt arriving on vocals and percussion, respectively, in 2013. This edition of Praying Mantis has been consistently dropping LPs since 2015. Now the band delivers their latest and lucky thirteenth studio album, Defiance.

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Praying Mantis

The Praying Mantis sound turns upon classic melodic hard rock with AOR sensibility and a dash of metal bite. It's a swerve in sound than what was usually expected of traditional NWoBHM bands. Less Iron Maiden, but more like Def Leppard's approach, yet not sounding like either. But, like their many peers, Praying Mantis would use the twin guitar riffs, rhythm, and solos.


To consider some songs within Defiance, you'll find that AOR melodic hard rock mix with Never Can Say Goodbye, Give It Up, the upbeat Standing Tall, and Defiance. Perhaps heavier with some metal edge are I Surrender or Let's See, the latter picking up the pace. Anthemic AOR power ballads come with One Heart and Forever In My Heart. A fine instrumental arrives with Nightswin, and Praying Mantis' signature twin guitar groove.

All said, with Defiance, Praying Mantis defies age and modern musical conventions to deliver another robust and entertaining album of their signature AOR-infused classic melodic hard rock. Definitely recommended.



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The Take Away

All said, with Defiance, Praying Mantis defies age and modern musical conventions to deliver another robust and entertaining album of their signature AOR-infused classic melodic hard rock. Definitely recommended.

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