Escape Music [Release date 29.09.14]
Saracen are back after their last album, the concept piece ‘Marilyn’ based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. This album sees the band back to basics, in that there is no concept although they do revisit two songs from their debut album ‘Heroes, Saints & Fools’.
Saracen with their mini-epics, often reliant on a big guitar riff and keyboards backing, remind me of fellow UK hard rockers Demon (now there’s a tour bill made in heaven!). Take a song like opener ‘Rocamadour’ coming in on a rollicking keyboards riff before the guitars take over, sterling stuff. They are bang up to date with ‘Reacher’, based on the main man Jack Reacher from the bestselling author Lee Child.
Bit of prog creeping in on ‘Swords Of Damascus’, again the keys lead in nicely before that guitar riff grabs you and Steve Bettney’s vocals, powerful and melodic a perfect match for the music.
Of the two remakes, ‘Crusader’ has plenty going on in its seven minutes. Only one real ballad, ‘You & I’ where Karenska Kerr adds a nice female vocal and it manages to hold its own with all the hard rocking going on elsewhere on the album.
Original members’ guitarist/lyricist Rob Bendelow and vocalist Steve Bettney are still at the heart of the band and the keys of Paul Bradder (a member since the early 00’s) are an integral part of the band’s overall sound.
This album is definitely one of their heaviest to date, never metal per se more the heavier end of melodic hard rock. Good, strong collection of songs and good to see the band are still making great music, now all we need are some live dates please. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Next session: SUNDAY 26 MAY
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 28 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 30 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 13 May 2024
THE FEVER KINGS Nowhere To Hide (indie)
STONETRIP Beautiful You (Golden Robot Records)
ONLAP Ghosts (AFM Records)
DEFENCES The Curse (Long Branch Records)
LATE NIGHT TROUBLE Pretty Little Thing (indie)
IANN BRENNAN Game Over (AGR Records)
CICADASTONE Last In Line (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 13 May 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
