I managed to see Praying Mantis in Royal Standard (Walthamstow - London) on the 25th of October 1995, after an unsuccessful attempt to see them a mare 4 days prior to this gig. The band was reportedly playing in an elusive far away venue in Acton that no cab driver or any one local to the area knew about. (The Troy brothers told me later that this gig never took place, anyway!). However Praying Mantis (the band has been announced as Preying Mantis in both this and the Acton non-event!!) did play this gig, apparently as a warm up for their (then) forthcoming Japanese tour. They played well, concentrating in the newest material, but they also played some old material (thus sending shivers to my spine).

Thankfully I also had the chance to speak to the best drummer that the N.W.O.B.H.M movement has spawned, the fantastic Mr. Clive Burr. He turned out to be a very, very polite and nice person. I was trying to find him immediately after the show was finished, in order to express my appreciation for his drum playing and have his autograph(s). In the beginning I could not find him anywhere, but Dennis Stratton managed to find him and introducing me to him by saying: "here is a guy who wants to speak to you". (Bare in mind I was not officially a member of the Hellenic Metal Hammer at that moment, and I was just visiting as a fan, not as a reporter). At the moment he was drinking beer with a female friend / relative, been seated on one of the tables of the venue. I could not believe that he jumped up to give me his hand and that he started signing everything I was giving to him to sign. He was so nice to me, that in a way I felt bad and after a point I've stopped giving him albums to sign. (I have only given to him to sign what I have considered to be "top priority items"). He must have had a big surprise when I gave him the first ever Samson single to sign. (He used to play in Samson prior to joining the then almighty Iron Maiden. He went: "Oh dear!" and then, "where did you get this??" and started to look at the cover of the single in disbelief -and slight embarrassement I guess- laughing all the way through while signing it and writing a dedication. Immediately after, I've started telling him that I consider him to be the best N.W.O.B.H.M drummer and that in my opinion, only Duncan Scott the first Diamond Head drummer comes anywhere close. He was very shy about that. He gave me the impression that he was thinking that I was going a little bit over the top with my statement and then he told me "I should have played better today though." What a modest guy!! I'm playing the drums myself, and believe me, he was really great on the night. Talking about a perfectionist, shy and very humble person? I guess so!