Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis are a London rock and metal group formed in 1974 by brothers Tino Troy and Chris Troy. They are associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and are known for a melodic style that combines twin-guitar harmonies with layered vocal harmonies. Their sound draws on hard rock, heavy metal, metal, NWOBHM and rock, and they are identified with the broader UK rock and metal scene.

Early years and first releases

The band first performs under the name Junction before adopting Praying Mantis. The early line-up includes Tino Troy on vocals and guitar, Chris Troy on bass and vocals, Steve Carroll on guitar and vocals, and Dave Potts on drums. This line-up records the three-track demo EP Captured City in 1980, with the title track also appearing on the compilation Metal for Muthas. Praying Mantis then signs to BMG Europe and releases its debut album Time Tells No Lies in 1981. The album receives strong critical attention, and the single “Cheated” gains enough recognition to lead to a performance at Reading Festival.

Breaks, reformations and Japanese interest

After disputes with management, the band stops recording and touring for a period, and its career stalls. It is then dropped by BMG and disbands. In 1990, interest in Japan leads to a reformation with former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno, resulting in the live album Live at Last.

1990s and later line-ups

Throughout the 1990s, Praying Mantis continues to record with different vocalists. During this period it releases Predator in Disguise (1991), A Cry for a New World (1994), To the Power of Ten (1995) and Nowhere to Hide (2000). From 1997 to 2006, Dennis Stratton is part of the band and is one of the core writers alongside Chris Troy and Tino Troy. Stratton leaves officially in 2006, although his final recorded material with the group dates from 2003.

2007 onwards

Andy Burgess joins on guitar in 2007, contributing to the band’s dual-guitar approach. In 2011, Praying Mantis releases the Metalmorphosis 30th Anniversary EP, which contains 10 re-recorded classic tracks by the then-current line-up. In 2013, John Cuijpers and Hans in’t Zandt join the group and are introduced on a new single released that year. Hans in’t Zandt has previously toured with Toto, Jeff Scott Soto, Mad Max, Sinner and Vengeance, while Cuijpers has been associated with several projects including Vandenberg’s MoonKings.

Recent albums

The line-up featuring John Cuijpers, Hans in’t Zandt, Andy Burgess, Tino Troy and Chris Troy releases Legacy in 2015, followed by Gravity in 2018 and Katharsis in 2022. By 2024, the band consists of Tino Troy, Chris Troy, Andy Burgess, Jaycee Cuijpers and Hans in’t Zandt, and it continues as an active UK rock and metal band.