Praying Mantis UK & August Life

Zo 30/06 - Breda

17:00 - 22:45

AUGUST LIFE Biography2019(30-12-2018)Holland has always had a strong, fruitful and enjoyable metal scene whose foundations were laid by notorious heavy acts such as Vengeance, Bodine, Helloïse, Highway ChileandVandenberg.Nowadays the Dutch scene is overcrowded and highly dominated by a wide variety of death, thrash, speed and female fronted metal bands.Within this undistinguishable yet gratifying scene, a new powerful Phoenix has risen: AUGUST LIFE.AUGUST LIFE is a stunning new progressive/melodic rock/metal project by guitarist Gert Nijboer (Highway Chile, Deathriders, ex-Picture) and singer Bryan Ketelaars (Armageddon, Auracle).Theyhave been secretly working on their debut album ‘New Eternity’ at Jack’s Place in Meerle, Belgium, with Jack Nobelen ( ex-Horizon, ex-Savage).The CD wasreleased late August 2018and the reactions of fans and magazines were overwhelming.To give the new Eternity releasethat extraNijboer and Ketelaars invited quite some interesting guests to participate on their debut. Guest performances include those from Rob Van Der Loo (bass guitars, Epica, Delain, Mayan ), Peter Vink (bass guitars, Q65, Ayreon, Star One ), Marchell Remeeus (bass guitars, Highway Chile, Helloïse ), Harry den Hartog (bass guitars, Breaking The Chains ), m lie angelschots (backing vocals, Auracle ), Madicken De Vries (backing vocals, Annatar, Heidevolk ), Samantha Greenwood (backing vocals), Hein van Berkel (piano) and Jacqueline Hamelink (cello, Sounding Bodies ). usically the ‘New Eternity’ CDdisplays a perfect blend of a stylistic variety across the individual tracks while maintaining a unifiedcohesive lyrical theme. Lyrically the album draws on the observations of Ketelaars on related events that can occur literally within seconds of each other. ‘Coming Home’ for instance is about a combatant heading home, ‘ ngels Of War’ about high tech killing ISIS terrorists one by one and the title track is about brainwashed religionists. UGUST LIFE’s music is for any fan of progressive melodic musicin the vein of Rainbow, Dio, Queensryche, Dream Theaterand Shadow Gallery. You can even notice a touch of Threshold and Cowboyera Pantera.The last couple of months AUGUST LIFE has transformed from brilliant album project to a stunning energetic live band because they feel this music definitelydeserves to be on stage.AUGUSTLIFE is proud to announce they willrelease the album on vinylthrough NO DUST Recordsearly2019.AUGUST LIFE is:Bryan Ketelaars -lead vocals (Auracle, Armageddon)Gert Nijboer -lead guitar (Highway Chile, Deathriders, Picture)Hans in 't Zandt -drums, backing vocals(Praying Mantis. Mad Max, Vengeance)Gerald Vos -keys, Hammond, guitar, backing vocals Ronald Pieterse -bass, backing vocals (Disquiet, Divine Rebellion)The Dutch metal scene has a new exciting and forward-looking name to reminisce: AUGUST LIFE!See you on somewhere the road in 2019!(for bookings www.augustlife.nl)

About Praying Mantis

With their latest critically acclaimed album 'Legacy' released via Frontier Records in August 2015, Praying Mantis continue to tour with their current band members Chris Troy, Tino Troy, Andy Burgess, John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers and Hans in 't Zandt. The band are now producing music which is some of the best in their 41-year history, but where did it all start and why are they still regarded as relevant in 2016?
Early Days

Praying Mantis were formed in London, England, in 1973 by brothers Chris and Tino Troy. The music scene of the late 70's was widely regarded as stagnant in the wake of a dying punk scene so it became time for a new breed of British bands to emerge and establish themselves with their own creative style of music. Through Neal Kay, DJ at THE BANDWAGON, North London's premier hard rock disco, a new movement was being formed and today this story has become folk law to Hard Rock fans all over the world. Due to Neal's much appreciated support, Mantis were given a platform to air their music, which featured classics 'Captured City' and 'Lovers to the Grave'.

Along with fellow London bands Iron Maiden, Angel Witch and Samson, Praying Mantis quickly established themselves and rapidly received the attention of the music press of the time. Along with a number of similar bands across the UK this entire movement was labelled by `Sounds` as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Spearheaded by Praying Mantis (and Iron Maiden), NWOBHM (as it became known) went on to dominate the Hard Rock scene in the early 80's, especially after the release of 'Metal for Muthas', a compilation album consisting of bands that had played at The Bandwagon. NWOBHM was just what the UK needed at the time; fresh, exciting music with energetic live performances and a togetherness that created a spirit of comradery between fans and bands alike.

The debut album ‘Time Tells No Lies’ received much critical acclaim and the single ‘Cheated’ went top 40 in the UK Charts in 1980. During this period, Iron Maiden and Praying Mantis were closely paired in many areas and formed a strong musical relationship, regularly playing together through the promotion of 'Metal for Muthas' which included an extensive UK Tour.

In 1990 this relationship saw Dennis Stratton and Paul Di'Anno (ex-Iron Maiden) join Praying Mantis on stage to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NWOBHM in Japan. Dennis later joined the band on a full-time basis, as did Clive Burr (ex-Iron Maiden) and Gary Barden (ex-MSG).

Since then, Praying Mantis have released many successful albums with Pony Canyon in Japan, and this became one of the band's major territories.
The New Millenium

In 2007, guitarist Andy Burgess replaced Dennis Stratton in the line-up, continuing the dual lead for the famous Mantis guitar harmonies. He has also proved to be a strong songwriter and influence in the band.

In 2013, vocalist John Cuijpers and drummer Hans in 't Zandt joined the band replacing Mike Freeland and Gary Mackenzie. The Dutch duo has vast experience in their fields having toured with the likes of Toto and the Steve Lukather Band. This has added a new and exciting dimension to the band's music and live performances.

The current album 'Legacy' is being hailed as one of the band's finest to date and it is still receiving stunning reviews across the world.

To hear and see the band in 2016, fans will experience both the spirit and energy of 1980 together with a technical style that really compliments 2016. We will be continuing to promote `Legacy` and take our music to the people before planning a new album in 2017/18.

Tino Troy - Lead guitar/vocals
Chris Troy - Bass guitar/vocals
Andy Burgess - Lead guitar/vocals
John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers - Vocals
Hans in 't Zandt - Drums/percussion/vocals