Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis are one of the most iconic bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. They were formed in 1973 (originally as Junction) by the brothers Tino and Chris Troy (Neofytou), who have Greek roots. Although they belonged to the same scene as Iron Maiden and Saxon, Mantis stood out for their more melodic sound, combining hard rock with AOR elements and characteristic guitar duets. Their debut, "Time Tells No Lies" (1981), is considered a classic masterpiece of the genre, including anthems like "Captured City." Their journey had several ups and downs and lineup changes, hosting at times great musicians like Paul Di'Anno, Dennis Stratton, and Clive Burr. Despite breaks, the band has remained active for over five decades, having recently released notable albums like "Katharsis" (2022) and "Defiance" (2024).