The home of Benjy Reid
 
Well, well - into the age of technology I am dragged at last. Kicking; yes, but screaming…..nah, it’s more to the tune of pounding and crashing, splashing, thrashing, grooving and resting – resting on that occasional dotted eighth note to raise my head above the shimmering brass before ducking back into the wave of sound that forms the rhythmic curl I have been riding my entire life.
OK, maybe not so shimmering on the brass front as I refuse, point-blankly, to ever clean my cymbals; never the less, every once in a while I do peer over the thunderous tumult. And it is here, in the now of cyberspace wizardry, that I humbly invite you to rest an eye from your own storm – and gaze with me over mine.
Welcome to the home of Benjy Reid
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Introducing Santuary by Praying Mantis |
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 The brand new album from Praying Mantis is now available.....
Reviews:
Amazon USA
2009 release from the veteran Heavy Metal band including a bonus video clip of 'Turn The Tide'. Sanctuary was recorded in Atlanta under the direction of producer/engineer Andy Reilly (Asia, The Cult, Bruce Dickinson, FM). The mix of lead and harmony guitar breaks and solos with great vocals and keyboards is fantastic with an overall songwriting on the highest level. What we have here is a band that features some very fine and experienced musicians who have put together a collection of songs that creates a really classic album. Praying Mantis started back in 1977 when Spanish-Greek brothers Tino and Chris Troy, founded the band and recorded a demo which received great acclaim in the British Heavy Metal scene. Since then, they've gone through numerous personnel changes and the occasional hiatus, but have always returned stronger than ever.
Classic Rock Magazine July 09
Recorded in Atlanta with FM, Romeo’s Daughter and Bruce Dickenson producer Andy Reilly, Sanctuary is big on hooks and drama, befitting a hugely underrated group of musicians…Sanctuary is a fine album that ticks many different boxes. 8/10
Canberra Times (OZ) July 09
So 2009 sees the band returning to the fray with a fine album choc full of classy melodic hard rock but none of the fanfare that saw the recent release of compadres’ Iron Maiden’s nostalgia-plus cash fest Flight 666. Which is a shame, because, in the songwriting stakes at least, Mantis yield to no one. If you have a yen for high quality, sophisticated hard rock , then this is the album you need.
Metal as F**K June 09
From the twin guitar riffs that launch the album’s opener In Time, this is an album propelled forward by great playing, great singing, solid rhythm and more hooks than Ali Vs Frazier II. So High, Playing God, Highway and the title track Sanctuary are highlights for me, but hell there isn’t a bad track anyway
Fireworks Magazine June 09
It is a little more polished that I was expecting from Praying Mantis, but with their current line-up they have something very strong here. The legend is in safe hands, even if those hands are far from the originals. The band still features the original core of the Troy Brothers, which makes it Praying Mantis, really. They have surrounded themselves with musicians that do the job perfectly, and fans of uplifting hard rock with a British heart will find a great deal to love here. Welcome back guys. You’ve done the legend proud.
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Shamrocked
Praying Mantis with Danny Hynes (founder of Paddy Goes to Holyhead) doing very old traditional irish folk stuff, but rocked to hell and back!
Click image to find where to purchase it!
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