{"title":"Saracen","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"vox-in-excelso-tg","title":"Vox In Excelso","description":"\u003cp\u003eEscape Music has the pleasure to announce the re-release of the much-loved Saracen album \u003cem\u003e\"Vox In Excelso\"\u003c\/em\u003e on Vinyl and CD. The Vinyl will be double gatefold limited edition of 500 copies only with newly designed artwork, \"Slightly Gold\" and \"Slightly Silver\" colours, all will be individually numbered 1-500, 180g Audiophile Vinyl. There will also be a limited edition of 500 CDs only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaracen's\u003c\/strong\u003e initial reign was in the late 70s and early 80s, which saw the release of their now legendary debut album \u003cem\u003e\"Heroes, Saints \u0026amp; Fools\"\u003c\/em\u003e. Some twenty years later, in 2003, they surprised \u0026amp; delighted fans with the release of \u003cem\u003e\"Red Sky\"\u003c\/em\u003e. Both albums, plus bonus tracks, featured in a special boxed set, with new artwork and mastering, released in January 2006 on the Escape Music label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe main focus of the signing, however, was \u003cstrong\u003eSaracen's\u003c\/strong\u003e eagerly awaited release of their 2006 album – \u003cem\u003e\"Vox In Excelso\"\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003e\"Vox In Excelso\"\u003c\/em\u003e 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 \u0026amp; financial organizations in Europe. Their story goes far beyond battlefield exploits – the Knights Templar were guardians of Ancient Knowledge; secrets that had major implications for the nations and religions of the western world... secrets that are still cherished and protected even to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Vox In Excelso\"\u003c\/em\u003e (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 combination of original members, vocalist Steve Bettney and guitarist Rob Bendelow, new blood, former HELLOWEEN drummer Mark Cross amongst others, proved to be an exciting combination on this now classic album.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Escape Music","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":51293316677963,"sku":"2501420","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51293316710731,"sku":"2501421","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/71XyVnNS-LL._UF894_1000_QL80.jpg?v=1739901361"},{"product_id":"red-sky-nc","title":"Red Sky","description":"\u003cp\u003eLifelong friends \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Lowe\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eRob Bendelow\u003c\/strong\u003e formed their first band \u003cem\u003eLammergier\u003c\/em\u003e during the mid-1970s together with bassist \u003cstrong\u003eBarry Yates\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing their first love performance in 1977, the band gigged extensively across the British midlands. The standard of these performances combined with their unique brand of symphonic rock saw \u003cem\u003eLammergier\u003c\/em\u003e amass a large and loyal following.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen a new decade arrived, changes were made, the music remained the same, but they called themselves \u003cem\u003eSaracen\u003c\/em\u003e. After several months on the road, \u003cem\u003eSaracen\u003c\/em\u003e decided it was time to record an album, and in October 1981 they released \"\u003cem\u003eHeroes, Saints and Fools\u003c\/em\u003e\" to critical acclaim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSaracen\u003c\/em\u003e tracks received regular airplay on Tommy Vance’s Friday night rock show and the single \"\u003cem\u003eWe Have Arrived\u003c\/em\u003e\" was recorded. In 1983, line-up changes occurred and the band eventually stopped touring in 1985.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo decades later, the band re-appeared with a vengeance and the release of \"\u003cem\u003eRed Sky\u003c\/em\u003e\" in March 2003 put the band firmly back on the map. It was a rework of some of the old classics with new tracks added.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe band regained its popularity, and a further three albums have emerged to critical acclaim, namely \"\u003cem\u003eVox in Excelso\u003c\/em\u003e\", \"\u003cem\u003eMarilyn\u003c\/em\u003e\", and \"\u003cem\u003eRedemption\u003c\/em\u003e\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith renewed interest in the vinyl format of recorded music, \"\u003cem\u003eVox In Excelso\u003c\/em\u003e\" has been re-released in 2025 as a numbered limited edition with new artwork. Now, \"\u003cem\u003eRed Sky\u003c\/em\u003e\" is to follow, again with new artwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese are beautiful works of art and the recordings sound fresh and vibrant. It's classic progressive rock brought into the present day, and it doesn’t get better than this.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Escape Music","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":51843995828555,"sku":"R4549-7119","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2LP - Red \/ Yellow","offer_id":51843995861323,"sku":"R4549-7999","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/SARACEN_REDSKY.jpg?v=1747667504"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/saracen.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}