Although a part of the new wave of British heavy metal scene,[1] they pursued a musical direction more melodic and AOR-sounding than their contemporaries Iron Maiden and Saxon.

The band's genesis can be traced back to the influence of Neal Kay, a DJ at North London's premier hard rock disco, The Bandwagon.

Alongside contemporaries such as Iron Maiden, Angel Witch, and Samson, Praying Mantis quickly rose to prominence in the London music scene.

1980 saw their profile considerably raised with support slots for Iron Maiden and Ronnie Montrose's Gamma and "Captured City" was included on the Metal for Muthas compilation.

Stratus (originally "Clive Burr's Escape", then briefly known as "Tygon" and "Stratas"), was a short-lived English melodic hard rock supergroup.

It was formed by ex-Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, the Troy brothers plus ex-Grand Prix vocalist Bernie Shaw and keyboardist Alan Nelson.

[3][4] In't Zandt had previously toured with notable acts such as Toto, Jeff Scott Soto, Mad Max, Sinner, and Vengeance.