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Praying Mantis Sanctuary Frontiers Records
FRCD416
· Produced By: Andy Reilly & Praying Mantis
· Running Time: 51.18
· Release Date: Out Now
· Released:
· Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock
· Links: Frontiers
86%
Songs: 85%
Sound: 88%
Definitely not what I was expecting. I didn't even recognize the band for a while. Praying Mantis have turned in a very solid album here bordering on commercial in nature – mixing hard rock elements with more straight ahead melodic rock and even some AOR melodies – albeit delivered with a more powerful base.
The band is another act with a long rich history – one with different selection of lead vocalists and other musicians along the way. But they are still here. The founding Troy Brothers are still the foundation of the band, so the direction is not going to be too unfamiliar to long time fans.
Mike Freeland is the new vocalist, who suits the tone of the new music. He should – he had a major hand in writing a lot of it.
The band retains that British hard rock vibe, but the smooth nature of the vocals and the albums overall production will see some crossover appear here from the USA and other areas.
There are some truly memorable hooks embedded within this album – none better than the acoustic driven rocker Restless Heart. The fast tempo So High motors along before the tempo changes for the slower, sentimental ballad Lonely Way Home which features a great lead vocal and chorus.
Fans of NWOBHM will still find plenty here to love – such as the trilogy of fast and furious classic rock themed tracks Touch The Rainbow, Threshold Of A Dream and Playing God.
Highway is a touch of melodic brilliance, with a real AOR heart, big chorus and singalong lyric.
Closing the album is the more progressive Sanctuary, adding some grit to proceedings.
The Bottom Line
An interesting and somewhat unexpected release and a welcome one at that. A nice slice of traditional British hard rock, with a strong melodic undercurrent. Not too many of those kinds of records around at the moment. This is certainly more melodic than I can remember any other Praying Mantis release being.
Recent Discography / Previously Reviewed
· Nowhere to Hide
· The Journey Goes On
· The Best of Praying Mantis
· Sanctuary

Line Up:
· Mike Freeland: Vocals
· Tino Troy: Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
· Chris Troy: Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
· Andy Burgess: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
· Benjy Reid: Drums
Essential For Fans Of:
· Praying Mantis
· Ten
· British Melodic Hard Rock
Track Listing
· In Time
· Restless Heart *
· Tears In The Rain
· So High *
· Lonely Way Home *
· Touch The Rainbow
· Threshold of a Dream *
· Playing God
· Highway *
· Sanctuary

--*Best Tracks

27/09/09: sergio - bmgclima@bmgclimasnc.191.it
Rating: 95
To understimate this album is a big error. It's simply one of the best in 2009.
Ciao

10/09/09: Zok - micke_016@hotmail.com
Rating: 93
"Praying Mantis" is back with a great album. They have found a great woice in Mike Freeland. I still like "Nowhere To Hide" better, but this is great.

22/08/09: Ali - spammeplease@yahoo.com
Rating: 80
Great album with nice tunes that sound like the PM of old. Shame about the purple turtle gig to promote this and the four songs they played in total.

21/08/09: Gregg - Gmcpa1@verizon.net
Rating: 96
Wow. Best PM album since the debut. Currently my CD of the year behind the excellant songs such as "So High", "Touch the Rainbow", "Lonely way home", and "In Time".

21/08/09: Blais-sabbath - boulot-vert@hotmail.com
Rating: 95
The best Praying Mantis album ever and one of the best of 2009!! Absolutly brillant!!

21/08/09: Michael - angra55t@yahoo.com
Rating: 10
The best Praying Mantis album ever! Lots of harmonies, brilliant melodies, amazing vocals - the band is definitely back. In fact, I haven't heard so good since "A Cry For The New World" and this album even dethrones that classic. Absolutely worth every penny asked for it!

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