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MANTIS

Crossover Prog • Canada


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Mantis biography
Obscure Canadian rock band Mantis released their eponymous debut in 1973.It brings together a rather edgy collection of pop/rock, giving it an interesting synth sound in parts making for an interesting early crossover addition. Their one and only album was released on Sweet Plum Records.

One former member, Mark Bajona, contributed these memories about his old band:
"I auditioned for the band in Toronto and passed the test, I was 19 at the time. From there I was flown out to Montreal to practice with the band before recording songs at RCA studios in Toronto, which at that time was on Mutual Street. We also used Moe Koffman and Guido Bassa for our orchestrated parts. Martin Swehdlow conducted the orchestra with his musical stick just like any big time conductor. We played a few gigs in Montreal and Toronto but then broke up and I've never seen the guys again. I went on to do other projects but not prog."

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MANTIS discography


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2.96 | 9 ratings
Mantis
1973

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MANTIS Reviews


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 Mantis by MANTIS album cover Studio Album, 1973
2.96 | 9 ratings

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Mantis
Mantis Crossover Prog

Review by Evolver
Special Collaborator Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

3 stars This, the only album from seventies Canadian band Mantis, only has three truly prog songs, but somehow remains quirky and likeable throughout. Like many bands of their time, Mantis shows quite a bit of humor in their songs, which sound to me to be mostly inspired by the west coast rock (The Jefferson Airplane, The Mamas & The Papas, The Doors...) of that era.

The three songs that spark my interest are What Does It Take, a piece that starts out omewhat nondescript, but turns into a sound like what Pink Floyd was working on in those days. Fred another shifting styles song, begins as a country blues jam, but after a nice guitar solo, the keyboards turn it into something similar to Keith Emerson & The Nice. Eyes Of Fire, the proggiest piece on the album, is a Santana-like jam, with some fusion and symphonic breaks.

Those three pieces easily make this an album worth owning for a prog fan, and the others, while more straightforward, are not so bad either.

Thanks to chris s for the artist addition. and to Finnforest for the last updates

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