CRUSADER (LIVE)

Description

When Saracen released their debut album "Heroes, Saints & Fools" in 1981, the British rock scene took notice. Their blend of Magnum-esque melodies and intensity, coupled with a Uriah Heep-like vocal style, immediately endeared them to NWOBHM fans and, more generally, lovers of classic British rock. All tracks and lyrics were penned by lead guitarist Rob Bendelow, who left the band before the release of their second album, "Change Of Heart," in 1984. Although this second effort still contained a few tracks by Bendelow, the band had pivoted, moving away from the almost pompous NWOBHM sound of their debut towards a more polished melodic rock. Unfortunately, this new direction failed to resonate with the public, and the band disbanded shortly thereafter. Bruce Mee, of Now & Then Records, was a huge fan of both Magnum and Saracen. Having already convinced Bob Catley to embark on a solo career in the late 90s, he also had very fruitful discussions with Rob Bendelow. This strong friendship led to the band's reformation and the release of "Red Sky" in 2003. Rob Bendelow and Saracen were back. After signing with Escape and releasing several other excellent albums, Rob finally retired from the music scene a few years ago, but the band bravely continued, perpetuating their songs and legacy for their many fans. By a happy coincidence, Bruce Mee was also a co-organizer of the inaugural UK "Tower of Fire" festival and, in 2024, invited Saracen to perform at the event alongside other iconic figures of the scene like Nitrate, Remedy, Atack, White Skies, and Gabrielle de Val. The event was multi-track recorded, and Saracen's performance was so successful that it was decided to release their very first live album. The live album's title is taken from their impactful opening track: "Crusader." And, incredibly, the magnificent cover art and album design are by Sebastian Kozak, the same artist who created the superb artwork for their comeback album "Red Sky" in 2003. On that day, all but one of the songs were from their incredible debut album. These five tracks, along with three others recorded live by the band, make up this absolutely exceptional live album. For fans of Saracen and NWOBHM, this is a moment we never thought we'd experience: a brilliant live album from Saracen, with Steve Bettney's vocals as incredible as they were over forty years ago.