SIGHT ‘n’ SOUND…..
October 29th 2006

Dear Visitor,

We hope you have had a most enjoyable summer.....listening to VOX IN EXCELSO! You can now check out around 20 reviews of this latest Saracen release in the Album Review section. An interview with Rob can be found at AOR Dream Zones.

There is also a selection of photos here that you might like to take a look at – then print off for your bedroom wall?

Check out our myspace site, all courtesy of Andrew Hellwig, all-American Saracen supafan from Michigan. Keep on Truckin' Andrew!

Finally, we have received a lot of very positive feedback about the strength of the vocal harmonies on VOX IN EXCELSO. So...here is a selection of downloadable MP3s of those harmonies in action. In the main, the lead vocal line has been sung by Steve, and the harmony lines by Richard.

Enjoy.

NEW ALBUM RELEASED…
July 2nd 2006

Saracen are delighted to announce the release of their much awaited opus – VOX IN EXCELSO. This concept album, which has been over five years in the making, can now be ordered from this site.  

Visit the Vox In Excelso page to learn about the album's central theme, download sample sound-bytes, and order (either by post or on-line).

Enjoy....

Find out more here

UP-TO-DATE BIOGRAPHY FOR SUMMER 2006
July 2nd 2006

RED SKY - HEROES, SAINTS & FOOLS BOX SET RELEASED
February 12th 2006

Saracen, in conjunction with Escape Music, are delighted to announce the release of a special collectors 'boxed set'. This 2-CD 'digipac' contains the band’s debut album – 'Heroes Saints & Fools' (together with three bonus tracks) AND Saracen's 2003 release 'Red Sky'.

This 'boxed set' can be ordered from this website, either by post or on-line.

Find out more here

HEROES, SAINTS & FOOLS
August 17th 2005

Available on CD.....at last!

Here at Templar Music we have finally yielded to pressure, and released Saracen's debut album on CD…complete with two 'bonus' tracks. Please check out the 'HS&Fs' page for ordering details.

This is particularly for those of you out there who wore out your original vinyl 'LP' years ago, or "lent it to someone and never got it back".

Find out more here

Behind the scenes …
Jan 23rd 2005

The background 'story' behind 'Vox In Excelso' is very much in vogue at present, thanks primarily to the world-wide success of Dan Brown’s best seller – The Da Vinci Code (soon to be made into a film, we believe). Many visitors to this site have enquired about the reading list that Rob Bendelow in particular has employed. "Researching for 'Vox' has been terrific", says Rob, "and has included site visits to some truly evocative locations (primarily in southern France), the internet of course, and a line-up of excellent books". Rob's suggested reading list: The Galileans: A Novel of Mary Magdalene - Frank Slaughter Holy Blood, Holy Grail - Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh & Henry Lincoln The Templar Revelation - Lynn Picknett & Clive Prince The Tomb of God - Richard Andrews & Paul Schellenberger The Templars - Piers Paul Read The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown Rennes-le-Chateau: A visitor’s guide - Tatiana Kletzky-Pradere When it comes to the internet, www.templarhistory.com is a great place to start. "I’ve visited some inspirational places in recent years, in search of Templar history", Rob explains, "including castles, medieval villages and even prisons, but the enigmatic Rennes-le-Chateau, in the Pyranees, has to have been the best. Whilst standing on top of the Magdala Tower, overlooking this place of secrets, I just knew we had to do this album". As the Visitor's Guide states: One never visits Rennes-le-Chateau by mere chance.....one is attracted like a magnet because this is a magical place...

The inspiration behind ‘Vox In Excelso’...
July 13th 2004

There seems to be quite a ‘buzz’ around the idea of Saracen doing a concept album, and we’re constantly being quizzed about that concept – where did the inspiration come from? Composer Rob Bendelow explains...

The album is based on the history of the Knights Templar. I’ve been fascinated with their enigmatic story since reading ‘The Holy Blood & The Holy Grail’ during the mid 80’s. But the idea of turning it into a rock album wasn’t mine – it came from my great pal Mick Beastall. Back in 1999 we were holidaying in southern France (deep in Templar country) when, after a few too many beers, he suddenly announced that I should write a whole album on this piece of history that we had both become so engrossed in. Like all good ideas, it then seemed such an obvious thing to do! Thanks Mick!

There’s been much research to do, involving books, the internet, and most enjoyably visits to some wonderful locations, primarily in southern France, including the world famous Rennes-le-Chateau. The Templar’s history, like many great stories, exists on two levels – their official military history on the surface, but ‘underneath’ the mysteries concerning their involvement with Christ’s bloodline.....controversial stuff! Our ‘Vox In Excelso’ album deals with both halves of the Templar legend.

If you fancy doing some surfing of your own on this subject, you could do worse than start by checking out www.templarhistory.com . Go for it...

A Whole Lotta Website…
July 12th 2004

Welcome to our revamped, rebuilt and re-equiped website. As you have already discovered, Templar Music is now the official internet home of Saracen. We hope you enjoy the features, such as the ‘brief history’ and the people profiles, as well as being able to check out Saracen’s 2003 release – Red Sky. This site is still also home to Rob’s ‘Templar’ project, his first ever ‘solo’ work.

Here in the ‘news’ section we intend to keep you bang-up-to-date with developments, on all fronts. Much of our focus is presently on recording our next album, a concept piece, entitled ‘Vox In Excelso’ - so here in the news section we hope you’ll forgive us if we end up describing it’s every ‘nut & bolt’!

Thanks for surfing our way – SARACEN