Praying Mantis have announced the release of their 13th studio album, “Defiance”. The album comes to celebrate the band’s 50th Anniversary and progresses from where the band has left off with their last release “Katharsis”.

Once again “Defiance” sees the founding members, brothers Chris and Tino Troy at the helm of a combo of gelled musicians featuring vocalist Jaycee Cuijpers, drummer Hans in’t Zandt and guitarist Andy Burgess. The band’s line-up is more solid than ever and prepares to celebrate this important milestone with a UK and European tour where they will play the band’s classics along with their new tracks. By hearing and seeing the band now, fans will experience both the spirit and energy of the early '80s together with a technical style that brings the band into the modern era.

Musically the new album offers the trademark Mantis sound, with twin guitar leads and sterling vocal work from Jaycee Cuijpers, but what really puts this record apart is the stunning quality of the songwriting which offers a credible mix of catchy songs along with superb epics. To round up the tracklisting the Mantis’ offer their own spin to the classic Rainbow hit “I Surrender” (penned by none other than Russ Ballard).

Praying Mantis are now a well-established band of melodic hard rockers. Formed by brothers Tino and Chris Troy in 1973, together with bands like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, and others they spearheaded the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) movement. While they did not see the same dizzying heights of success as some of their contemporaries, Praying Mantis nonetheless became one of THE most influential bands of the NWOBHM. The band has remained active over the years and still records and plays live regularly, while evolving their style from their early beginnings to a more melodic hard rock style.

1 FROM THE START

2 DEFIANCE

3 FEELIN' LUCKY

4 I SURRENDER

5 FOREVER IN MY HEART

6 NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE

7 ONE HEART

8 GIVE IT UP

9 NIGHTSWIM

10 STANDING TALL

11 LET’S SEE

12 DEFIANCE (acoustic version) bonus track Japan

PRODUCED BY : Tino Troy, Andy Burgess & Pete Newdeck

STUDIO: Recorded at the band’s individual home studios, Mixed at PNProductions

RECORDED BY: Tino Troy, Andy Burgess, Chris Troy, Hans in ‘t Zandt, Henk Sneijers, Steven Price

MIXED BY: Pete Newdeck

MASTERED BY: Harry Hess

BAND MEMBERS: Tino Troy, Chris Troy, Andy Burgess, John Cuijpers, Hans in ‘t Zandt, Steven Price (drums on - From The Start / Give it up / I Surrender.

GOTUS - Gotus - CD

RONNIE ATKINS - Trinity - CD

SEVENTH WONDER - Mercy Falls - 2xLP

RONNIE ATKINS - Symphomaniac EP - CD

CRAZY LIXX - Forever Wild - LP

LIPZ - CHANGING THE MELODY - CD

CROWNE - Operation Phoenix - LP

NITRATE - Feel The Heat - CD

STRYPER - The Final Battle - Crystal 2xLP

WINGER - Seven - Limited Edition Silver 2xLP

ANETTE OLZON - RAPTURE - Red Vinyl LP

Praying Mantis - Defiance - Red Vinyl LP