Praying Mantis  

Praying Mantis first appeared on the legendary Metal For Muthas compilation in 1980, and their song, "Captured City" was possibly the best song on that album. Their style was more melodic than most NWOBHM bands, owing to their harmonized vocals. By 1981 they had released their debut album, Time Tells No Lies, but despite good reviews, the band seemed to vanish soon afterward. In reality they had mutated, first hooking up with Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr and going by the name of Clive Burr's Escape, and later (circa 1984) as Stratus. Finally, in 1990, the Troy brothers played a live set in Tokyo with two other former Iron Maiden members in tow, these being guitarist Dennis Stratton and vocalist Paul Di'Anno. The concert is released as a new Praying Mantis album, and the band is back in action, with Stratton staying on as permanent guitarist. The band continues on, with several lineup changes surrounding the core of Stratton and the two Troys.

Current Members Mike Freeland vocals Tino Troy guitars/vocals Andy Burgess guitars/vocals Mike Freeland guitars Chris Troy bass/vocals Benjamin Reid drums

Former Members/Guests Paul Di'Anno (guest) vocals (Iron Maiden, Killers) Colin Peel vocals Mark Thompson-Smith vocals Gary Barden vocals (Michael Schenker Group, Statetrooper) Tony O'Hora vocals Bernie Shaw vocals (Uriah Heep) Tom Jackson vocals John Sloman vocals (Uriah Heep) Doogie White vocals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Rainbow, Tank) Steve Carroll guitars/vocals Dennis Stratton guitars/vocals (Iron Maiden) Don Garbett keyboards Jon Bavin keyboards Dave Potts drums Bruce Bisland drums (Statetrooper, Tank, Weapon, Wildfire) Clive Burr drums (Elixir, Iron Maiden, Trust) RIP: 12, 2013, multiple sclerosis Martin Johnson drums

Discography

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Time Tells No Lies 
1981 Arista

Cheated All Day and all of the night Running For Tomorrow Rich City Kids Lovers To The Grave Panic In The Streets Beads of Ebony Flirting With Suicide Children Of The Earth 30 Pieces Of Silver* Flirting With Suicide (Live) Panic In The Streets (Live)

Tino Troy Steve Carroll Chris Troy Dave Potts

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Live At Last 
1990

Panic In The Streets Dangerous Game Children Of The Earth Lovers To The Grave Flirting With Suicide Hot Tonight Running For Tomorrow Wrathchild Murders In The Rue Morgue Remember Tomorrow Phantom Of The Opera Iron Maiden Cheated Running Free

Paul Di'Anno Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Bruce Bisland

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Predator In Disguise 
1991 Canyon Intl.

Can't See The Angels She's Hot Can't Wait Forever This Time Girl Time Slipping Away Listen To What Your Heart Says Still Want You The Horn Battle Royal Only You Borderline

Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Bruce Bisland

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A Cry For The New World 
1993 Canyon Intl.

Rise Up Again A Cry For The New World A Moment In Life Letting Go One Chance Dangerous Fight To Be Free Open Your Heart Dream On Journeyman The Final Eclipse

Colin Peel Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Bruce Bisland

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(EP) Only The Children Cry 
1993 Canyon Intl.

Only The Children Cry Who's Life Is It Anyway A Moment In Life Turn The Tables

Mark Thompson-Smith Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Bruce Bisland

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To The Power Of Ten 
1995 Canyon Intl.

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark Bring On The Night Ball Of Confusion Welcome To My Hollywood Another Time, Another Place To The Power Of Ten Little Angel Victory Only The Children Cry Night And Day Angry Man

Gary Barden Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Bruce Bisland

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Captured Alive In Tokyo City  LIVE
1996 Canyon Intl.

Gary Barden Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Clive Burr

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Forever In Time 
1998 Canyon Intl.

Wasted Years The Messiah Best Years Blood Of An Angel Valley Of The Kings Changes Man Behind The Mask Remember My Name The Day The Sun Turned Cold Forever In Time

Tony O'Hora Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Bruce Bisland

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Demorabilia (old demos) 
1999 Canyon Intl.

Bernie Shaw Tom Jackson Tino Troy Steve Carroll Chris Troy Don Garbett Jon Bavin Dave Potts Clive Burr

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Nowhere To Hide 
2000 Pony Canyon

Nowhere To Hide Cruel Winter The Clocktower Can't Stop The Fire Future Of The World Whenever I'm Lost You'll Never Know River Of Hope Naked S.O.S

Tony O'Hora Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Bruce Bisland

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The Journey Goes On 
2003 Pony Canyon

Tonight The Escape The Journey Goes On Silent War Beast Within Hold On For Love If Tomorrow Never Comes Lost World The Voice Naked (re-recorded version)

John Sloman Doogie White Tino Troy Dennis Stratton Chris Troy Martin Johnson

Reviews:   Sea Of Tranquility  Lords Of Metal 

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The Best Of Praying Mantis  COMPILATION
2004 Pony Canyon

Cheated Can't See The Angels A Cry For The New World Letting Go Journeyman Only The Children Cry Turn The Tables Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark Best Years Forever In Time Nowhere To Hide Naked Captured City A Moment In Life

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal 

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Sanctuary 
2009

In Time Restless heart Tears in the rain So high Turn the tide/Lonely Way Home Touch the rainbow Threshold of a dream Playing god Broken Chains (Japanese release Only) Highway Sanctuary

Mike Freeland Tino Troy Andy Burgess Chris Troy Benjamin Reid

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal  Metal Observer 

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(EP) Metalmorphosis 
2011

Children of The Earth Praying Mantis Lovers to the Grave Panic in the Streets Captured City

Mike Freeland Tino Troy Andy Burgess Chris Troy Benjamin Reid