Praying Mantis – Katharsis

8/10

Most bands of the good old 80’s tend to have their heydays long gone, and when you out of loyalty check out their new album you find it okay but still far from the old classics. And then there’s bands like Praying Mantis, who are just as good today as back then, and due to the loss of competition has risen even further. I loved 2018s Gravity, and Katharsis won’t make any fan of that album disapointed. It’s all here, the massive sound, the catchy refrains, the razor sharp twin guitars and the loveable melodies. So vital, and so good!

Praying Mantis was the melodic heroes of the NWOBHM scene. Their great classic Time Tells No Lies (1981) came out as the scene was on its way out and the band was snubbed of the great success they deserved. But today they are, along with Tygers of Pan Tang, the most vital band when it comes to put out new stuff. As a critic, you here lots of new bands trying to capture the essence of melodic rock, but then comes Praying Mantis and just blows them all away like nothing. Just listen to great tunes like Cry for the Nations, Closer to Heaven, Long Time Coming and The Devil Never Changes. That’s how melodic rock should sound.

2022 has started out great with a lot of albums from my greatest heroes of the 80’s such as Saxon, Magnum and Giant, and further ahead we look forward to Scorpions, Tony Martin and Dan Reed Network. But I have a hard time seeing any of them topping Praying Mants achivement. The album of the year might just as well be here already.

Artist: Praying Mantis
Title: Katharsis
Label: Frontiers
Date of release: 28/1 -22
Time: 53,02
Rating: 8/10
Standout track: Closer to Heaven