Saracen new album, Vox In Excelso

Escape Music are pleased to announce the signing of British epic rock merchants Saracen to the label. As Khalil Turk puts it, "This signing adds one of NWOBHM's best loved bands to an already impressive roster here at Escape. Saracen also bring with them their unique brand of heavy symphonic rock music - complimenting our present line-up of primarily 'Heavey melodic Rock & AOR' specialists.

Saracen's initial reign was in the late 70s and early 80s, which saw the release of their now legendary debut album Heroes, Saints & Fools. Some twenty years later, in 2003, they then surprised & delighted fans with the release of Red Sky. Both albums plus 4 bonus tracks, will infact feature in a special 'boxed set' with a new artwork, and new mastering!!, due to be released on the Escape Music later this year!

The main focus of the signing, however, is Saracen's eagerly awaited new album - Vox In Excelso. A concept album, based around the very same story that underpins Dan Brown's best seller The Da Vinci Code, this promises to be a 'must have' for every fan of epic rock. According to Khalil, "Rob, from the band, played me the album demo recently, and it sounds awesome. I can't wait to help see it through to the finished product. We're lining up some impressive names to work on the production front, so it's all systems go".


Biography

British rock band Saracen are now in their 25th year…..yet musically speaking they're as strong as ever! Their unique brand of heavy symphonic rock music is proving as popular now, with fans from every continent, as it was back in the band's halcyon days of the early 80s. The combination of original members, i.e. vocalist Steve Bettney and guitarist Rob Bendelow, new blood, former Helloween drummer Mark Cross amongst others), new albums, and the backing of a new record company, promises to be an exciting cocktail for the band's third decade. The band is, and always has been, a classic 5-piece line-up of drums, bass, guitar, keyboards & vocals. From the original five, two members are still there at the heart of Saracen.
Saracen' s initial reign was in the late 70s and early 80s, which saw the release of their now legendary debut album Heroes, Saints & Fools. Some twenty years later, in 2003, they then surprised & delighted fans with the release of Red Sky. Both albums plus bonus tracks now feature in a special boxed set, with new artwork and mastering, released in January 2006 on the Escape Music label.The main focus of the signing, however, is Saracen's eagerly awaited new album – Vox In Excelso. A concept album, based around the very same story that underpins Dan Brown's best seller The Da Vinci Code, this promises to be a must have for every fan of epic rock. Vox In Excelso is a concept album, based on the mysterious and controversial history of the Knights Templar – a medieval body of warrior monks, who grew to become one of the most powerful military & financial organisations in Europe. But their story goes far beyond battlefield exploits - the Knights Templar were guardians of an Ancient Knowledge; secrets that had major implications for the nations and religions of the western world... that are still cherished and protected even to this day... Vox In Excelso (pronounced Ex-chel-so) is laced with poignant narration, linking the tracks, and thereby helping the listener to navigate this turbulent yet touching epic story.The first 1000 albums will be available in special edition booklet format, rather than the conventional jewel case presentation, adding greatly to the collectability of what promises to be another milestone production from this much loved band.


Line-up:

Steve Bettney - Vocals
Rob Bendelow - Guitar
Richard Bendelow - Bass
Mark Cross - Drums
Paul Bradder - Keyboards