Release Date April 24th, 2026
Format 4CD Box Set
Genre Heavy Metal, NWOBHM
Country United Kingdom
Brothers Tino Troy on guitar and Chris Troy on bass started Praying Mantis in 1973, helping kickstart the whole New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene. They got their early tracks onto the legendary "Metal For Muthas" compilation in 1980 and dropped their debut album "Time Tells No Lies" a year later. Following a long break during the 1980s, the lads fired the machine back up in 1990 because the hardcore fans in Japan were demanding real metal. During that rebirth era, they brought in ex-Iron Maiden, Paul Di’Anno and Dennis Stratton. Stratton hung around for the whole decade alongside drummer Bruce Bisland. Today, the Troy brothers continue playing live alongside Andy Burgess, John 'Jaycee' Cuijpers, and Hans In 't Zandt.
"The Official Bootleg Box Set Vol 1 - Live In Japan" delivers a huge dose of the band playing on stage. Packed into four discs, this package captures two completely different gigs from the same venue in Nagoya during the 1990s. The entire package is a true vault release aimed straight at the diehards who want their music raw. The audio comes right from non-standard source tapes, meaning you get the unfiltered dirt of an actual concert. The label left all the audio warts intact for historical reasons, giving you the real sound of standing in the crowd.
The first two discs cover the gig from November 1993, when they were touring Japan to promote "A Cry For The New World". Mark Thompson-Smith was handling the microphone during this run. He belts out heavy tunes like "Captured City" and "Cheated" with serious power. You hear the guitars blazing through the speakers, throwing killer riffs and wild solos everywhere. The raw audio quality actually rules here, throwing you straight into the sweaty club atmosphere where heavy metal belongs.
Discs three and four jump forward to November 1998, with the crew returning to Nagoya supporting "Forever In Time". By this time, Tony O'Hora had taken over vocal duties, bringing his own awesome vocal range to the stage. They rip through huge tracks including "Turn The Tables" and "Rise Up Again" alongside classic staples. The twin guitars of Troy and Stratton duel endlessly, pouring out sick twin harmonies and blazing leads. It is a true heavy metal party caught on tape by someone in the front row.
This chunk of history rules if you want a genuine, unfiltered concert trip. The audio imperfections might scare off casual listeners who want studio perfection, and that is totally fine. For true metal heads who want to hear legendary riffs blasted live through roaring amps, this collection delivers the goods. You get pure energy, screaming solos, and authentic 90s metal glory packed into a heavy box. Play it to the max.
Score: 8.0
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