Come to the light - Templar

If I had to list my five favourite bands, Saracen would definitely be in there.

They barely made any commercial impression in the few years they were around, in the early eighties, but influentially they cut deeper, and among fans they are recognised for maybe having been ahead of their time.

Saracen can be described as melodic rock, progressive rock, but they preferred the term "symphonic rock". Their debut ...
...by those who have heard it and even now, twenty odd years on, it remains unsurpassed in many regards. Sadly founder member, songwriter and guitarist Rob Bendelow had to quit the band, which broke up in the mid eighties.

Not much has been heard since, for a while, until this year. Three of the original members reformed Saracen and released an album called "Red Sky", but the catalyst to them getting back together was a solo ... more

If I had to list my five favourite bands, Saracen would definitely be in there.

They barely made any commercial impression in the few years they were around, in the early eighties, but influentially they cut deeper, and among fans they are recognised for maybe having been ahead of their time.

Saracen can be described as melodic rock, progressive rock, but they preferred the term "symphonic rock". Their debut album, Heroes, Saints and Fools, is regarded as a classic by those who have heard it and even now, twenty odd years on, it remains unsurpassed in many regards. Sadly founder member, songwriter and guitarist Rob Bendelow had to quit the band, which broke up in the mid eighties.

Not much has been heard since, for a while, until this year. Three of the original members reformed Saracen and released an album called "Red Sky", but the catalyst to them getting back together was a solo project that Rob Bendelow put together, which he called Templar.

Under the name Templar, Rob recorded an album, "Come To The Light", which he released independently on his own label. He regrouped two of his former Saracen bandmates for this project: vocalist Steve Bettney sings on several songs, and so does bassist Jason Gardner.

Unsurprisingly, several of the songs do sound very like the old band. However, it is not "the third Saracen album"; as well as two old Saracen songs (one of which never appeared on record) there is one cover, but the other seven songs are all new, originals. The new material draws on a variety of sounds and styles, from rock and blues to keyboard instrumentals. It is, in effect, a classic "solo" album by a gifted songwriter and accomplished musician, reflecting the variety of influences and music he enjoys, as well as giving himself the chance to let rip on the guitar!

The album opens with a powerful, kicking drum riff, a guitar joins in, then the guitar breaks into a solid rock riff. "On The Rockface" is a great opener, up-front rock, some lovely guitarwork, an intelligent rock song and, to the old Saracen fan, it leaves no doubt: "Rob is back in business"! The only downside is that, after the great intro, the drum-machine drums at times do sound a bit too fake.

"Faith" is a softer, more commercial rock song, sung by Saracen vocalist Steve. It's a good song which has grown on me after the first few weeks when I would sometimes skip it. However, it is overshadowed by the following song. "Wish It Was Me" is a great bluesy rock song, simple verses over acoustic guitar, drums and bass, then raw, powerful singalong chorus. It is sung by Lorainne Emmit-Gardner, who shows she has a remarkable voice, bluesy, melancholy in the verses and belting out the choruses - she should be a star herself! Rob Bendelow gets the chance to show off his guitar skills here too.

"Blue Stanza" is a guitar-led instrumental, hinting at blues, rock, sounding quite Gary Moore-esque at times. This gives way to a cover of George Harrison's/The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", an interesting version, quite faithful to the original, but my preference would have been another Bendelow piece!

"Dolphin Ride" is an old Saracen instrumental, from the first album. I love the original version, so it was quite odd hearing it updated and redone. The melody is the same as before, but the rhythm section is completely different, with some new keyboard sounds running through. Very different, very good, very beautiful, equally haunting, trippy, but in a different way.

Jason Gardner sings again on "Just Me And My Flying V", another rock song suited to his voice. Mid tempo, speeding up in the middle, then a classic Bendelow-Saracen guitar solo insturmental bringing it back to the riff and leading to the end. Almost plodding at times, a rolling, riffing, rocker...

None of which applies to "Angel Eyes". Well, rocky maybe, but this is a beautiful ballad. A duet, with Saracen singer Steve Bettney sharing the vocals with the amazing Lori, this is one of the album's unexpected highlights. They work so well together, the song is soft and simple but together they electrify it, with some help from a beautiful solo by Rob.
"So touch me, Angel Eyes
So much to see, I realise
Caress me, possess me
Now you're here I feel so alive"

"Swords of Damascus" is an old Saracen instrumental that was never recorded. The opening guitar riff sounds arabesque, a horn calling across the desert, then the drums kick in and it takes off. A great track, moody, atmospheric, you can almost taste the dust.

Finally the title track, "Come To The Light", starting with a choral intro, then a beautiful acoustic guitar section. A gentle, beautiful, moving passage which then changes, giving way to a more upbeat, rhythmic passage, spoken vocals overlaying keyboards, spacey at times, very interesting, sounding at times almost "Enigma"-like, or "Jade Warrior", at times almost sinister, dark. The acoustic guitar wins, the Templar choir join in and some instrumental passages take us through. This song is for lying back in a darkened room holding hands...for a massage...for making love to.

There is some really great music here. There are some new Saracen songs, but also some other fantastic material. Well worth a listen whether you like Saracen, not, or never heard of them!

For more info about the Templar project:
www.templarmusic.co.uk  

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