Stratus was something of a short-lived new wave of British heavy metal “super group” or a Praying Mantis album by proxy. You decide. Mantis luminaries Chris and Tino Troy joined up with ex Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, Grand Prix and soon to be Uriah Heep vocalist Bernie Shaw (who had a brief tenure in Praying Mantis) plus Alan Nelson on the ivories and Stratus was born in 1985 or thereabouts.
Their recording output was one single album – Throwing Shapes – which if I recall my history was issued just in Japan through a small label and became something of an oddity in that respect.
The better news is that it was reissued a couple of years or so ago digitally remastered and it sounds great though arguably of its time. Stratus was not out and out NWOBHM which is probably down to the Troy influence. MWOBHM influences are certainly there – check out never Say No and the closer So Tired for example – as the regular undercurrent however there are leanings towards pomp rock not too far removed from Journey and similar.
Shaw is a world class vocalist and Burr bangs the tubs strongly. Chris and Tino are tight and Nelson’s keys add depth. This is a recording certainly of greater value that just curiosity value from some “names” for anyone who might like their NWOBHM a little more polished.
As a huge Uriah Heep fan I have to admit buying my copy of the reissue more as a Bernie Shaw/Heep completist rather than a ”must have” purchase and I wasn’t sure I’d like it. However, I was most pleasantly surprised with Throwing Shapes. Took a while to get in to it and worth the (minor) effort.
Heep/Journey/Mantis fans should find a place for it and if you fall in to that category then I’d get your wallet out and bag yourself a copy. A gem of a “long lost” almost-classic from some names who had contrasting futures.
>> CLICK HERE IF YOU’RE MORE THAN CURIOUS ABOUT STRATUS AND FANCY A COPY <<
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