Praying Mantis

Biography

Praying Mantis are an English rock band. Originally part of the new wave of British heavy metal, they pursued a musical direction more AOR/melodic rock-sounding than their contemporaries Iron Maiden and Saxon.

1973–1981: Formation and early years

Their formation considerably pre-dated the NWOBHM movement. They were formed in 1973 while at college by the Troy brothers, Tino and Chris, Pete Moore, and Chris Hudson. The band's genesis can be traced back to the influence of Neal Kay, a DJ at North London's premier hard rock disco, The Bandwagon. Thanks to Kay's support, Praying Mantis gained a platform to showcase their music, featuring tracks like "Captured City" and "Lovers to the Grave". Alongside contemporaries such as Iron Maiden, Angel Witch, and Samson, Praying Mantis quickly rose to prominence in the London music scene. 1980 saw their profile considerably raised with support slots for Iron Maiden and Ronnie Montrose's Gamma, and "Captured City" was included on the Metal for Muthas compilation. The attention won them a recording contract with Arista Records and they released their debut album Time Tells No Lies×Time Tells No Lies1981 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Cheated3:522All Day & All of the Night3:013Running for Tomorrow3:454Rich City Kids3:525Lovers to the Grave4:556Panic in the Streets3:467Beads of Ebony5:298Flirting With Suicide5:089Children of the Earth5:38 in 1981. Management instability undermined their success and Arista decided that they did not wish to take up the option of a further album. The following year, Praying Mantis signed for Jet Records, but two subsequent singles did not quite hit the mark and the band folded. During the making of Time Tells No Lies, Praying Mantis recorded a version of the Russ Ballard penned track "I Surrender", but ran into conflict with Rainbow, who went on to release their own version, and had a top 10 worldwide hit. Instead, Praying Mantis released "Cheated×Cheated1981 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Cheated2Thirty Pieces of Silver3Flirting With Suicide (live)4Panic in the Streets (live)" which reached number 69 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1981.

1982–1989: Hiatus

While Praying Mantis was on hiatus, the Troy brothers focused on other projects. Stratus (originally "Clive Burr's Escape", then briefly known as "Tygon" and "Stratas"), was a short-lived melodic hard rock/AOR supergroup. It was formed by ex-Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, the Troy brothers, plus ex-Grand Prix vocalist Bernie Shaw and keyboardist Alan Nelson. The band split after only one album, Throwing Shapes, released in 1985. Bernie Shaw became the lead vocalist for Uriah Heep the following year.

1990–1996 Reunion and line-ups including Di'Anno, Stratton and Burr

The band maintained a strong fan base in Japan, and when the Troys temporarily reformed Praying Mantis for a NWOBHM nostalgia tour in 1990, they were encouraged by the response to resurrect the band full-time. A live album with former Iron Maiden members Dennis Stratton and Paul Di'Anno, on guitar and vocals respectively, was released as Live at Last, and a follow-up studio album Predator in Disguise×Predator in Disguise21 March 1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Can't See the Angels5:192She's Hot4:103Can't Wait Forever5:484This Time Girl4:175Time Slipping Away4:436Listen What Your Heart Says4:307Still Want You4:338The Horn2:579Battle Royal3:4810Only You5:0311Borderline4:59 was released the following year. In 1995, the band recruited ex-Michael Schenker Group vocalist Gary Barden and released the To the Power of Ten album in Japan during August. As drummer Bruce Bisland suffered a broken arm, he had his position filled by former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr.

1997–2006: Final years with Dennis Stratton

Praying Mantis, with Dennis Stratton as part of their line-up, continued to evolve musically, adapting to the changing rock music landscape. This period saw the band exploring new musical avenues while maintaining their core melodic hard rock identity. Since 1990, Dennis, Chris, and Tino were the nucleus of the band who wrote all the material. Stratton officially left Praying Mantis in 2006, although his final recorded material with them was in 2003.

2007–2012: Sanctuary and Metalmorphosis 30th Anniversary EP

Andy Burgess officially joined Praying Mantis in 2007, taking on the role of guitarist. One of Burgess's most notable contributions to Praying Mantis was his role in the band's renowned dual guitar harmonies. These harmonies had long been a signature element of Praying Mantis' sound, and Burgess embraced this tradition while infusing it with his unique touch. In 2011, the Metalmorphosis 30th Anniversary EP was released. It includes 10 re-recorded classic Praying Mantis tracks by the 2011 band line-up.

2013–2014: Hans in't Zandt and John Cuijpers join the band

In 2013, the band announced they are to release a new single in October that year. The single is to officially introduce new members, John Cuijpers (vocals) and Hans in't Zandt (drums), to the band's fanbase after playing Colchester, Ipswich (with support from MGR Records band Kaine) and Cambridge Rock Festival with the brand new line-up. In't Zandt had previously toured with notable acts such as Toto, Jeff Scott Soto, Mad Max, Sinner, and Vengeance. Cuijpers was associated with several notable bands and musical projects; his prominent prior affiliation was with the Dutch rock band Vandenberg's MoonKings.

2015–present: Legacy, Gravity and Katharsis

Released in 2015, Legacy marked a formalisation of the band's new line-up, featuring John Cuijpers on vocals and Hans In't Zandt on drums, alongside long-standing members Andy Burgess, Tino Troy, and Chris Troy. The same line-up would go on and record Gravity (2018), Katharsis (2022) and Defiance (2024).

Band members

Current members

Tino Troy – guitar, keyboards, backing and lead vocals (1973–1982, 1990-present)
Chris Troy – bass, backing and lead vocals (1973–1982, 1990-present)
Andy Burgess – guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
John Cuijpers – lead vocals (2013–present)
Hans in't Zandt – drums, percussion (2013–present)
Former members

Bob Sawyer – guitar (1979–1980)
Steve Carroll – lead vocals, guitar (1980–1982)
Paul Di'Anno – lead vocals (1990)
Doogie White – lead vocals (1992)
Colin Peel – lead vocals (1993, 2002)
Gary Barden - lead vocals (1995–1997)
Tony O'Hora – lead vocals (1997–2002)
Mike Freeland – lead vocals (2007–2012)
Jon Bavin – keyboards (1982)
Dennis Stratton – guitar, keyboards, lead and backing vocals (1990–2006)
Dave Potts – drums, percussion (1979–1982)
Bruce Bisland – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1990–2002)
Clive Burr – drums, percussion (1995; substitute for Bruce Bisland)
Benji Reid – drums, percussion (2007–2012)