Venger – ‘Times Of Legend’

(Silver Lining Music)

Venger seem to have stepped out of a time machine their debut album Times Of Legends is pure unadulterated NWOBHM think Iron Maiden and Judas Priest having a love child. The songwriting collaboration between Saxon guitarist Doug Scarratt and James Fogarty has birthed a fantastic collection of songs which wears its old school metal heart firmly on its chest. Franz Bauer on vocals also adds a strong Rob Halford feel which accentuates some of the Priest influences you can hear.

Sometimes some of the songs are a little too heavy for me but Venger always win me over with their impressive melodies and engaging guitar work. The lyric’s match the tone and style of the music with it all been otherworldly and fantastical as befits the genre. Calling the band Venger is an obvious clue to their vibe with him being a classic character from the Eighties Dungeon and Dragons Cartoon who sticks in my memory as nightmare fuel, I think it was the leather skirt I have the same problem with Pinhead – right that’s me not sleeping with the light off tonight!

They are old school in their track list length too at only nine tracks. Opening Track ‘From World’s Unknown’ is an absolute stonker which really hits you with its highly melodic chorus and this really sets you up to dive into the rest of the album with ‘Impaler Of Souls’ been another personal favourite.

One of the things that struck me about this album was the stellar production, it just sounds so clean and crisp. The songs really pop with a really lush production which accentuates the melodic elements of the band and making sure individual instrumentation doesn’t get drowned out in the mix. Which really creates a very emboldened and massive sound which is great for bands of this ilk making songs sound gigantic, you know like Iron Maiden do – epic!

Times Of Legends is an impressive debut album from Venger, and I really hope it’s just the beginning. If you like old school metal like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, then this album is for you. For me this album isn’t retro it’s how NWOBHM would sound in 2025 had it never dipped out of fashion. It may feel Old School, but it doesn’t sound it and I think that will appeal to fans as it will feel fresh whilst simultaneously feeling familiar.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘From Worlds Unknown’

Review by Woody