SARACEN - BLOODSTOCK 2003

Richard Bendelow, current Saracen bass guitarist and 18 year old son of founding member/lead guitarist Rob Bendelow, was feeling slightly nervous before tonight's live set. Not surprising really, when you consider Richard wasn't even born the last time Saracen played live!

However, his worries were unfounded as Saracen stormed through a set which belied their years, turning back time to an era when epic, majestic rock was king. Richard settled into the line-up with ease, forming a pulsating rhythm section with drummer Jamie Little, and opening number 'Flame of Youth' was really rather fitting.

No ballads tonight as the band went for wall to wall rock, rolling out the classics with consummate ease. The likes of old favourites 'Horsemen of the Apocalypse' and 'Heroes, Saints and Fools' sent the faithful into raptures, whilst newer numbers like 'Red Sky' and 'Ride Shotgun with the Wind' showed that Saracen could rock out with the best. My own personal favourite was 'Follow the Piper', a massive epic of a song that got the hair flowing and fists punching the air down front.

Vocalist Steve Bettney seems to have hardly changed during the intervening twenty years, still able to hit those high notes with an almost Rob Halford perfection, whilst Rob Bendelow marries the poise of Tony Iommi with the sublime touch of Ritchie Blackmore, a cool figure in long, black leather coat, firing out massive riffs and coaxing wonderful melodies in equal measure.

Co-founding member Richard Lowe attacks the stage like a madman during 'Jekyll & Hyde', fittingly taking the vocal part of Hyde before sharing keyboard duties with current keyboard ace Paul Bradder on closing number 'Ready to Fly', another Saracen epic from their debut album, and due to be re-recorded for a future album.

So, after twenty years, Saracen have had a triumphant rebirth, and hopefully this is just the first chapter of another successful story!

Bruce Mee – Fireworks – August 2003