Time Tells No Lies
Praying Mantis · 1981
39 min · 9 tracks · hard rock
An energetic blend of hard rock and heavy metal with melodic hooks and fervent guitar work that define a vibrant era.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cheated — As the opening track, 'Cheated' introduces listeners to the band's distinct sound with its infectious chorus and driving rhythm, setting the tone for the rest of the album.
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Running for Tomorrow — 'Running for Tomorrow' showcases a balance of urgency and melody, highlighting the band's skillful harmonies and lyrical themes of hope and perseverance.
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Lovers to the Grave — This track stands out with its darker lyrical themes and more complex arrangements, allowing the band to demonstrate their versatility beyond straightforward rock anthems.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and energetic performances typical of its genre but lacks standout depth.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Cheated', followed by another upbeat song, maintaining a fast tempo for the first half.
- Several tracks feature dual guitar harmonies that are characteristic of the NWOBHM style, particularly in 'Running for Tomorrow' and 'Rich City Kids'.
- The last three tracks slow down slightly in tempo, providing a contrast to the earlier energetic songs, especially evident in 'Children of the Earth'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- energetic tracks for driving
- melodic hooks for sing-alongs
- intense moments of catharsis
- short bursts of excitement
Maybe skip if you
- slow, reflective listening preferences
- long, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1981, Time Tells No Lies marked Praying Mantis's debut album, establishing their presence in the British heavy metal scene following the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. The band was eager to carve out their niche among peers like Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, leveraging their harmonious approach to metal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Diamond Head· Saxon· Iron Maiden
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cheated 3:52
- 2 All Day & All of the Night 3:00
- 3 Running for Tomorrow 3:44
- 4 Rich City Kids 3:51
- 5 Lovers to the Grave 4:54
- 6 Panic in the Streets 3:46
- 7 Beads of Ebony 5:28
- 8 Flirting With Suicide 5:08
- 9 Children of the Earth 5:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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