By Monk

Artwork for Times Of Legend by VengerThis union of guitarists Doug Scarratt and James Fogarty apparently came together when the former was watching his son playing a gig in Brighton and was approached by the latter about what might at first seem an unlikely collaboration. After all, Scarratt is best known as the longtime lead axeman with NWoBHM veterans Saxon, while Fogarty is from a black/metal prog background, as evinced by his work with the likes of In The Woods and Old Forest… but, a mutual interest in all things fantastical, mythological and mystical – the project takes its name from a ‘Dungeons And Dragons’ character after all – drew them together…

The result is an album that is very much rooted in the ethos and tradition of heavy metal, with the two guitarists bouncing off and intertwining around each other, delivering massive melodies, huge harmonies and (especially in Scarratt’s case) searing solos, underpinned by tight rhythmics and overtopped by impressive vocals which perfectly match the material and its delivery on a collection of material that touches on all the bases you would expect from its creators.

Fogarty’s prog background brings a depth and width which allows Scarratt to explore more adventurous avenues he perhaps cannot pursue in Saxon, his freedom to extrapolate and expand given full rein, yet retaining that distinctive metal edge which adds a depth to material that veers between lighter versions of Sabbat and Mercyful Fate – the latter particularly in terms of Franz Bauer’s very King Diamond-esque delivery on the likes of ‘Seance’, ‘Throw The Switch’ and ‘Impaler Of Souls’ – and early Seventies era Judas Priest/Scorpions/Uriah Heep.

Overall, ‘Times Of Legend’ is not as fantastical and epic an album as some of the subjects which it addresses. However, it is a damn solid piece of work, and as such is worthy of attention, especially in terms of seeing what at least one its protagonists can produce when given a little bit more freedom to push his boundaries.