Praying Mantis/Osaka,Japan 2009

PRAYING MANTIS in 2009 broke the silence and made a comeback with the masterpiece “SANCTUARY”. This is an original recording that allows you to experience the best of the performance in Japan, which was also the 30th anniversary of NWOBHM. This work is recorded from the “November 4, 2009: Shinsaibashi Club Quattro” performance. This is a superb audience recording. At this time, they only came to Japan twice, Tokyo O-EAST (November 3) and Osaka (this work). It was also the first performance in Japan in 10 years since the NWOBHM 20th anniversary event “METAL CRUSADE ’99”. This work, which is a vacuum-packed long-awaited scene, is a superb product with “tune”. After all, the one who worked on this work is Mr. “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper”, who is familiar to us. If you have noticed this article, you may have already experienced the “Strongest” Mr. Collection, but the individuality that is always praised as “like a sound board” and “better sound than the scene” is full open in this work…or more. Although Mr. “Strongest” can handle venues of any size, his specialty is the club scale. “Shinsaibashi Club Quattro”, where this work was shot, is his garden, and he is familiar with both the acoustics and the sweet spot. Moreover, this work even has the power of the goddess’ smile on its side. It is not surprising that a club-scale is a chaotic space swirling with enthusiasm, but for some reason this work hardly picks up audience noise. It is certain that it is an audience recording because it was handed over to him by Mr. “Strongest”, but if you only listen to the sound, you would have thought that it was a sound board recorded directly connected to the mix desk, or IEMs intercepted. Such a thick, zero-distance sound depicts a full show that erupts with the charm of the new masterpiece “SANCTUARY”. Let’s organize the contents here. 70s/80s Classics (4 songs) – Mantis: Panic in the Streets/Children Of The Earth/Other: Captured City/Turn The Tables 90s (5 songs + α) – A Cry For The New World: A Cry For The New World/Rise Up Again (incl. We Will Rock You)/Letting Go/Other: Can’t See the Angels/Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark Sanctuary (5 songs) – Restless Heart/Tears in the Rain/Turn the Tide/Highway/In Time … and so on. The latest albums “SANCTUARY” and “A CRY FOR THE NEW WORLD” are the two pillars of the band, covering a wide range of careers. It’s a shame that the great songs from the Tony O’Hora era are completely missing, but that may be inevitable for a band of the PRAYING MANTIS class. And the performance that spins the set is also wonderful. The ensemble, which has just restarted with new members, is not completely revived, but there is no sense of slacking. Rather, it is clear that they have rehearsed very thoroughly, considering that they only performed a few live shows a year at the time. The twin harmony, which is their lifeblood, is particularly wonderful. The mix balance was disturbed at the beginning of the first day’s Tokyo performance, but there was no problem on the second day in Osaka. Andy Burgess and Tino Troi are also excellent chemistry, and even though they are new members, they are more familiar with each other than Dennis Stratton. Speaking of a natural feeling, it is new singer Mike Freeland. His natural voice quality is perfect for PRAYING MANTIS and his past repertoire is perfect. Although it is unclear whether he will surpass Colin Peel, whose voice I have never had the opportunity to hear live, I can feel that he is a great singer who is on par with Tony O’Hora. Thinking back, PRAYING MANTIS has released an official live album of their Japan performances. “LIVE AT LAST” was reunited on the 10th anniversary of NWOBHM, and “METAL CRUSADE ’99” was reorganized on the 20th anniversary of NWOBHM. Then, in 2009, the 30th anniversary of NWOBHM, they were resurrected again. Unfortunately, they did not leave an official live work in 2009, but this work will take its place. In this work, Chris repeatedly repeats “10 years! 10 years!!”, but this is an “official substitute” that allows you to enjoy even the mood of the 10th anniversary with a superb sound. “November 4, 2009: Shinsaibashi Club Quattro” performance super-class audience recording. Original recording by “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper”, it is an extremely thick, zero-distance sound that seems like a direct-connected sound board or IEMs interception. It is also packed with valuable repertoire from the masterpiece “SANCTUARY”, and the new singer Mike Freeland is also a close-to-ear sound. Following “LIVE AT LAST” and “METAL CRUSADE ’99”, this is a must-have work that is also the official replacement for the 30th anniversary of NWOBHM. Live at Shinsaibashi Club Quattro, Osaka, Japan 4th November 2009 ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (52:30) 1. A Cry for the New World 2. Panic in the Streets 3. Restless Heart 4. Tears in the Rain 5. Can’t See the Angels 6. Turn the Tide 7. Highway 8. In Time 9. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark Disc 2 (40:04) 1. Rise Up Again / We Will Rock You / Drum Solo / Rise Up Again 2. Turn the Tables 3. Letting Go 4. Children of the Earth 5. Captured City Mike Freeland – Vocals Tino Troy – Guitar Andy Burgess – Guitar Chris Troy – Bass Benjy Reid – Drums