MUCH BETTER THAN NOWHERE TO HIDE
David K. Barrett | Seattle, WA | 06/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nowhere to Hide for one reason or another is considered some milestone for the band. I thought the album was incredibly limp wristed with the exception of the title track. Good riddence to the former vocalist Tony O'Hara as well.The Journey Goes On is much better! This album features John Sloman and Dougie White. White has been in Rainbow, Yngwie and briefly in Praying Mantis 10 years ago. Sloman was in Uriah Heep and Gary Moore in the early 80s but after one solo album in 1986 has not been heard from until now. Sloman still sounds great. The opening track is an epic track sounding very much like Lawton-era Uriah Heep with Sloman on vocals. Very well done song. Sloman is also on the Beast Within and The Voice. Both of those songs kill anything off of Nowhere to Hide.The Dougie White tracks are all very strong, and White's vocal on Naked makes Tony O'Hara's version pretty forgettable. Along with the Sloman stuff, check out Silent War and Lost World. Finally Mantis adds some great guitar duels and returns to the harder sound! The melody is of course still there. PS. John Sloman's Dark Matter just came out and is pretty good as well."
First class melodic rock album from these NWOBHM veterans
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 05/16/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like several other bands from the legendary New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene, Praying Mantis gradually took their style from heavy metal to a more accessible melodic rock sound. This isn't always a bad thing. Some bands - and I think that includes Praying Mantis - are much better suited to the melodic rock genre.
Released in 2003, The Journey Goes On is the band's seventh studio album. The lineup changes that have marked their career continue, with original members Chris and Tino Troy being joined by former Iron Maiden axeman Dennis Stratton and a pair of vocalists - Doogie White (Rainbow/Malmsteen/Cornerstone) and John Sloman (Lone Star/Uriah Heep).
It's refreshing to hear a melodic rock album that doesn't rely exclusively on the typical love song formula. The songs on The Journey Goes On have a grander, more epic feel that is reminiscent of later Demon albums as well as Magnum. The epic feel, combined with captivating melodies and impressive guitar solos make for some very memorable melodic rock and the duel vocal approach makes it even more effective. I enjoyed Doogie White's work in Rainbow and Cornerstone, and he's in fine form on this album. John Sloman's warm and steady vocal presence stands out as well.
The Journey Goes On is a first rate melodic rock album, and should especially appeal to fans of Demon, Ten, Cornerstone, Magnum, and John Payne-era Asia. If you're expecting a NWOBHM revival album though, you're going to be disappointed.
"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1