After the age of 30, some things start to be seen in a different way. It's because maturity takes its toll, and things are clear, without the numbness of passion to mess things up. Now, at 48 years old, I can see that the NWOBHM movement wasn't a fair period of time. I state this fact in such way because there were bands with such richness in their musical works that deserved to be respected in a way that they weren't. The name of PRAYING MANTIS is one of them, as "Gravity" (their eleventh album) will prove to you all. In those days of raw energy and hard attitude, they were different due to their AOR orientated music that showed great melodies. Today, they matured a lot, and like wine, they are better than before, with a solid form of music that is between Classic Hard Rock and AOR, using amazing tender melodies and excellent instrumental arrangements, along with excellent vocals. Yes, "Gravity" is pretty good, indeed.

The sound production was done in a way that respects the band's past, but improving things into something modern and clear, as AOR needs to be. Of, course it has that essential dose of aggressiveness that a Rock album must show, but it keeps their melodies clear, allowing us to understand what the band is showing. These guys are as solid as a rock! The band's line-up is stabilized, the main reason for this feeling of union that permeates all the songs of "Gravity". Their best songs are the amazing "Keep It Alive" with its hooking melodies, excellent chorus and backing vocals, the mix of some Pop Rock essence with the AOR aesthetics heard on "Time Can Heal", the excellent use of keyboards parts in some moments of the heavy song called "39 Years" (a solid and good work from bass guitar and drums), the introspective parts filled with Pop/AOR elements of "Destiny in Motion", the gentle and wonderful ballad "Foreign Affair", and the excellent melodies of "Shadow of Love" and "Final Destination" (both with excellent guitars). I don't need to speak about the vocals, because they are excellent on all songs, and this is that kind of album that you must hear from the first to the last song.

The legend lives on, so listen to "Gravity" and see what PRAYING MANTIS is up to.