Oh My God! Yes… YES!... YES!!!!

My ears just had an audio orgasm!!!

After over six years, one of the founding bands from the early 80’s NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) PRAYING MANTIS is back with a brand new studio release titled “Sanctuary.” With founding members Chris and Tino Troy still solidifying the exoskeleton of this sturdy arthropod, they are joined by guitarist Andy Burgess, drummer Benjy Reid and lead vocalist Mike Freeland to produce one of the most potent PRAYING MANTIS line-ups yet… and a release that’s just as dynamic.

Like a shot of adrenaline, “Sanctuary” rips open with the double-bass pounding rocker “In Time.” With its heavy, guitar-driven rhythm combined with a stout, melodic chorus, “In Time” delivers a razor sharp bite and I absolutely LOVE the extended musical ending featuring some stellar guitar work reminding me a bit of what JOURNEY did with their hit “Who’s Crying Now.” Just an awesome arrangement all around and that’s one of the things I really love about this band… not only are these guys talented musicians but absolutely incredible song-writers and arrangers as well putting them a step ahead of a lot of other bands out there.

Continuing on, “Restless Heart” is another solid, melodic composition with a nice, underlying guitar melody which builds to a dramatic climax before rolling into “Tears In The Rain.” With a little more of a bluesy feel, “Tears In The Rain” reminds me a little bit of what FIREHOUSE did with “Shake & Tumble”… and speaking of FIREHOUSE! It finally dawned on me who lead vocalist Mike Freeland reminded me of. He’s definitely got a “hint” of that C.J. Snare style going on only a little smoother in its delivery. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the power ballad “Turn The Tide” which really gives Freeland his chance to shine! Another incredible track with layers upon layers of BIG vocals… I’m really beginning to love this guy! No, he doesn’t have the range of say a Geoff Tate or Steve Perry (but then again, who does?!?) but for what he’s doing, Freeland more than delivers a solid performance on track after track after track.

But I seem to be getting a little ahead of myself here almost glazing over my absolute favorite track on the release “So High.” This is just a great tune… aggressive but still melodic, this power-anthem really delivers and really, REALLY reminds me of something on the lines of an early 80’s RAINBOW from the “Straight Between The Eyes”/ Joe Lynn Turner era. Incredible tune and one you’ll wanna crank up next time you’re heading out to the highway in your car.

Staying in that RAINBOW vein and even having the word “rainbow” in its title, “Touch The Rainbow” is another high-octane rocker that’ll definitely keep your blood flowing. As will “Threshold of a Dream” which is definitely giving “So High” a little competition as far as being my favorite pick on the release. The hard, edgy rhythm of “Threshold…” featuring one of the best guitar solos on the CD makes this one another diamond in this sea of gems.

Holding it back just a hair, “Playing God” proves itself a formidable composition in its own right with yet another amazing guitar solo compliments of the tremendous guitar talent of Tino Troy. “Highway” comes up next and is easily the most “commercial” sounding track on the release having a bit of a heavier OUTFIELD feel to it. Then finally, the title track “Sanctuary” rounds off this extraordinary release in almost epic fashion.

PRAYING MANTIS’ “Sanctuary” is an absolute triumph! Fans of edgier, melodic rock and that old NWOBHM influenced sound ala bands like HOUSE OF LORDS, SAXON or TYGERS OF PAN TANG have a new, ripe apple to sink their mandibles into and will absolutely eat this up! I am just so, so tempted to give this a perfect 5 out of 5 star review but PRAYING MANTIS’ 1981 “Time Tells No Lies” release will always be very special to me but “Sanctuary” is a VERY close second.