Escape Music Ltd Announce SARACEN Crusader (Live) Release.

Rock Metal Machine
5 hours ago
2 min read

Knight in armor kneels with sword in misty field of crosses. Emotive, somber mood. Text: "SARACEN CRUSADER" in bold above.

When Saracen released their debut album ‘Heroes, Saints & Fools’ back in 1981, the UK Rock scene certainly took notice. Their combination of Magnum-like melodies and Uriah Heep intensity and vocal stylings immediately endeared them to fans of the NWOBHM scene, and fans of classic British Rock in general.

All songs and lyrics were written by lead guitarist Rob Bendelow, who left prior to the release of their second album, ‘Change Of Heart’, in 1984. While this sophomore effort still contained a few Bendelow songs, the band had changed direction, moving away from the almost Pomp and NWOBHM of the debut for a more polished and Melodic Rock direction. Unfortunately, this new direction didn’t resonate with the fans, and the band broke up not long after.

However, Bruce Mee of Now & Then Records had always been a massive Magnum and Saracen fan. Having already convinced Bob Catley to start a solo career in the late 90s, he also had very productive talks with Rob Bendelow. This great friendship resulted in the band reforming and the release of ‘Red Sky’ in 2003. Rob Bendelow and Saracen were back.

Later signing to Escape and releasing several more great albums, Rob Finally retired from the music scene a few years ago, but the band gamely soldiered on, keeping his songs and legacy alive for their many adoring fans.

In an instance of total cosmic kismet, that same Bruce Mee was also co-organiser of the inaugural ‘Tower of Fire’ UK festival, and in 2024 invited Saracen to play the event along with other well recognised names of the scene such as Nitrate, Remedy, Atack, White Skies and Gabrielle de Val. The event was multi-track recorded, and the results of the Saracen set were so good that it was decided to release a very first live album.

The title of the live album is taken from the name of their crushing opening song: ‘Crusader’. And in a further act of unbelievable karma, the magnificent album artwork and design are created by Sebastian Kozak, the very same creative artist responsible for the brilliant artwork on the band’s come-back album ‘Red Sky’ back in 2003.

All but one of the songs that day were from that incredible debut and those 5 songs, along with 3 others previously recorded live by the band, make up this totally amazing live album. For fans of Saracen and NWOBHM, this is a moment we never thought we’d ever see: a brilliant live Saracen album with vocalist Steve Bettney sounding as incredible as he did over 40 years ago.

Escape Music has the pleasure to announce the release date for Saracen titled of the album “Crusader” (Recorded Live in 2024) 300 copies only, limited edition colour Vinyl “Side A+B Smokey” all will be numbered 1-300! and limited CDs only

Track-list

1- Crusader 3:57

2- Rock Of Ages 2:31

3- Horsemen Of The Apocalypse 10:02

4- Ready To Fly 7:31

5- Heroes, Saints & Fools 8:27

6- Follow The Piper 6:02

7- We Have Arrived 4:03

8- No More Lonely Nights 3:58

9- Swords Of Damascus 5:14 (CD bonus track)

Saracen - Crusader (Live)

Release Date: 20th March 2026