Hard Roxx Magazine can be order my E-mailing Hard Roxx's Owners. As of issue 36 the Magazine cost 4 UK Pounds in the UK (4.50 Europe, 5 pounds the Rest of the World) and comes with a sampler CD of new music.
It has been a few years since we last heard from the brothers Troy, Tino and Chris respectively, and early reports were indicating that this was going to be one of the year's top records. The first thing that I noticed is that Gary Barden (ex MSG, Statetrooper) has relinquished the mike stand and the new guy is a chap by the name of Tony O'Hora. Gosh, that name seems awfully familiar, but for the life of me I can't place it. Anyway, this is no less than the fourth vocalist in the Mantis fold in the last few years and the guys really find themselves in need of an identifiable frontman. Colin Peel and Mark-Thompson Smith seemed ideal, but for what-ever reasons neither stuck around for more than an album each. Barden was just a little too worn around the edges for my liking, but I do believe the boys have landed a crown jewel in Mr. O'Hora, no better example being opening track, 'Wasted Years' which starts out with some classic twin guitar harmonies from Dennis Stratton and Tino Troy, which has become synonymous with the Mantis sound.
Actually out of the ten cuts on tap here, there isn't one shred of filler. Will garner some contention for album of the year in my book and surely will make my top ten, and hats off to Tino and Chris Troy for coming up with the best new vocal talent I've heard this year. Steve Harris, are you listening?
Mantis cd is a must in your list.
attract severals fans over here. Great epic melodic rock.
amazing. There are absolutely no fillers on this album, which is quite rare.
Impossible to name favourites; all of these songs are so great.
mélodique plutôt soft, mais quelle classe !
X" sont un enchantement permanent.
mais un véritable coup-de-coeur, à écouter d'urgence.
version européenne, et l'import est un peu onéreux.
When it comes to New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands, the annals of time seem to have forgotten Praying Mantis.
Among the reissues is 1998's "Forever in Time", a near perfect blend of pomp and prog featuring the Mantis debut of vocalist extraordinaire Tony 0'Hora (but unfortunately no bonus tracks). While a previously rotating line-up of singers proved credible, Praying Mantis reaches a new level with 0'Hora's clear, soaring and downright heavenly vocals. But is it possible for a band to record one of its best albums 17 years after its debut, "Time Tells No Lies"? You bet. Apparently, Mantis' co-founding brothers Tino (guitars) and Chris (bass and keyboards) Troy agree: "Nowhere to Hide" boasts the same roster as "Forever in Time", which also includes drummer Bruce-Bisland and guitarist Dennis Stratton.
The title track alone from "Forever in Time" – with numerous musical passages, spiritually haunting lyrics and excellent group vocals – is worth listening to again and again. Other highlights like "The Messiah", "Best Years' and "Blood of Angel" flirt with AOR pride, and "Valley of the Kings", "Changes" and "The Day The Sun Turned Cold" proudly follow prop-rock sensibilities. The brothers Troy wrote the majority of music and lyrics on "Forever in Time", but 0'Hora gets credit for the album's only ballad, "Remember My Name" – a powerful descent into the nightmare of lost love.
Checking out the rest of the Praying Mantis catalog in preparation for "Nowhere to Hide" isn't a bad idea, but if you don't believe in saving the best for last, pickup "Forever in Time" first.
it's not only me who likes it! (me too!! – TMS), even better than their well known classic "Time Tells No Lies", because everything sounds modern and more transparent without denying their roots just a second!
out of their hips (when you think of the opener "Wasted Years", the following "The Messiah", or, to explain it briefly: the rest of the album)! – "Forever In Time" is an album I will like to listen to even in a few years.
Simply the production could have been more transparent and breezy, but Chris Tsangarides isn't the youngest anymore 😉 Buy and wallow!
Well, this is quite simple. With no doubt this is THE record of 98. And probably of the whole decade. There was no other record which reached the perfection in composition, melodies, arrangements, voices and all together. The result: ten superb songs which separately would made valuable in any other record. The best thing is that they were all together in this masterpiece.
Praying Mantis did a memorable debut record: Time tell no lies. Most people would think that they hadn't top that one. My opinion is different: Forever in time is different in style (nwobhm vs. hard rock) and both records are strong and good, but forever is the one of 5 records to bring to a desert island. However the record has not achieved the recognized status the debut one did. But damm!, it really deserved it.
The keyboards are brilliant and give another dimension with the two guitars around it. I liked it since the first time i heard it. I believe they just made a piece of art.
Remember my name is interesting since is the only composition from the new guy, Tony, which really helped with his voice match the absolutely brilliant compositions made from the Troy brothers along with Dennis. Guys, you really made it!