Saxon guitarist Doug Scarratt and multi-instrumentalist James Fogarty (Old Forest, In The Woods) have joined forces to create a new British heavy metal band, Venger. The band has announced that their debut album, Times of Legend, will be released on January 9th, 2026, via Silver Lining Music.
The first single and video from the album, “From Worlds Unknown”, is out now.
“The song engages a subject Doug and I have a shared interest in which is Ufology,” comments vocalist and guitarist James Fogarty. “It was written from the perspective of imagining that you were down by Stonehenge once and this UFO turned up but there’s no one else there to witness it. And does that really matter? Ultimately, I don’t think it does.”
Written and produced by Scarratt and Fogarty, Times of Legend aims to provide an escape into the realms of history, folklore, and fantasy. “I like the idea that Times of Legend could be like a heavy metal version of those 1950s schoolboy books where every chapter was a different story,” says Fogarty. Scarratt adds, “We’re both fans of cinema, so you’ve got all the classic horror movies in there as well as some historical elements too. I want some escape!”
The project came together in 2024 after a chance meeting at a bar in Brighton. Scarratt, whose history with Saxon is legendary, found common ground with Fogarty, known for his work in black and progressive metal. The lineup is completed by drummer Sven Rothe and vocalist Franz Bauer.
In an era of digital rush, Venger (named after the sorcerer from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon) aims to shed new musical light on stories of old. Times of Legend will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Times of Legend Track-listing:
- From Worlds Unknown
- Pharaoh’s Curse
- Navigate the Labyrinth
- Crystal Gazer
- The Legend Still Remains
- Séance
- Throw the Switch
- Impaler of Souls
- Tower of Babel*
*featuring Matt Mitchell on vocals
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