Praying Mantis - 'Keep It Alive'

(Frontiers Records)

I really like these Frontiers Records live packages I have confidence in them having a good sound mix and a strong visual quality based on the consistent quality of these recording from various Frontiers Festivals over the past few years. So, I was very keen to see how Praying Mantis came across, I’ve never seen them live so this package is something I was keen to get hold of and add to my live collection.

I’ve got a soft spot for Mantis as they create a very melodic form of NWOBHM, they have the metallic edge and the heaviness associated with acts within that genre tag but they have an insanely smooth and melodic skin over that metallic skeleton, which really tickles my musical fancy.

I think Praying Mantis have aged really well and are probably a better band now than they were back in 1981. To me they are at the top of their game, just check out their last three studio albums, they are not trying to recapture past glories cause they’re at their best now, this live package confirms that.

Visually they may not seem that exuberant on stage but they do perform like live performer veterans and betwixt that and the way the DVD is edited together it is entertaining. Again, there is a good sound quality, it may be a little too polished for some but it does still capture the band in their live form. If I wanted something rawer, I’d check out YouTube clips, but I’d never pay money for those type of clips, so the post production on these DVD’s is a balancing act designed to create a live product that is enjoyable whilst retaining the raw live element. Although to be honest the only way to ever truly get a live experience is to actually be there in the audience!

Mantis piece together a ten-song set that I’m sure some hardened fanboys may be disappointed with, I personally found it a very enjoyable set and there is no denying the quality and enjoyment fans will get from this package – even without your favourite B-side included! I found the back to back performances of the modern era Mantis tracks ‘Highway’, ‘Believable’ and ‘Keep It Alive’ as a strong highlight of the album and the storming rendition of classic ‘Children of the Earth’ closing the set will definitely have Mantis fans smiling!

9/10

Essential Track - 'Highway'

Review by Woody