Frankenstein, vampires, mummies, witches: There are some things that will forever be “metal” just by their inherent nature. Equally as metal is an international supergroup of headbanger superstars, hailing from the likes of acts such as Saxon, Roadwolf, and In the Woods…, just to name a few. Couple the two together and you’ve got Times of Legend, the debut album from Venger. This outfit first assembled a couple years ago, testing the waters with a pair of singles in “Impaler of Souls” and “Pharaoh’s Curse”. In between their various main vehicles and endeavors, the band found time to assemble a full length, which is what this curious metal reviewer finds himself tackling today.
Considering what a Saxon diehard I am (something that’s been well documented over the past 6 years of this webzine), it was Scarratt’s involvement in this project alone that piqued my interest. Having spent the past 31 years unleashing “Heavy Metal Thunder” with Biff and the gang, and contributing to such crucial albums as Unleash the Beast, Lionheart, and Into the Labyrinth, he is as important to the Saxon fold as original axe-slingers Paul Quinn and Graham Oliver. Undoubtedly, there are certainly some riffs on this album that are Saxon-worthy, but at no point does Times of Legend feel like a “Saxon lite” album.
No, if anything, Times of Legend owes more to the riffage, melodies, and anthemic drive of fellow English metal gods, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Admittedly, much of this is due to the vocal delivery of young gun frontman, Franz Bauer. On any given song, his bombastic delivery shifts between that of Halford and Dickinson, the latter especially rearing its head on the plethora of songs that double down on that Maiden-flavored pomp (i.e. “Navigate the Labyrinth”, “The Legend Still Remains”, “Impaler of Souls”). Prog metal? No. Pomp metal? Sure!
For the most part, Times of Legend adheres to a simple and straightforward formula, which makes it a slightly predictable listen, especially towards its back half. The only real surprises come in the form of the doomy “Throw the Switch”, with its Trouble-tinged riffs and grooves, and the blatantly Mercyful Fate-esque “Tower of Babel”, on which Bauer attempts his best King Diamond falsettos. While far from unlistenable, Bauer certainly has a better grip on his Halford/Dickinson maneuvers. The rest of the songs vary, but the strongest moments boast some earworm choruses. Specifically, the title track has been stuck in my head since I received this promo, and that was over a month ago.
Whether or not Venger will sustain for a sophomore album is up in the air. After all, it’s only a matter of time before we’re reviewing Saxon’s two zillionth studio album and interrogating one of their own on the writing, recording, and subsequent touring of such. Until then, Venger’s Times of Legend serves as a pleasant treat to hold headbangers over. Littered with gallop riffs, big hooks, and Biff Byford-approved lyricism, it scratches that trad metal itch, even if not so electrifying as to bring Frankenstein to life.
6 out of 10
Label: Silver Lining Music
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon