AVENGER is a highly rated British Thrash act, issuing the impressive, if low budget, albums 'Blood Sports' in 1984 and 'Killer Elite' in 1985. The first incarnation of AVENGER evolved when ex-BLITZKRIEG vocalist Brian Ross teamed up with former AXE VICTIM bassist Mick Moore, drummer Gary Young and guitarist Steve Bird in September 1982. The band contributed the track 'Hot And Heavy Express' to the Neat 'One Take No Dubs' EP. Shortly afterward, Bird left due to "hearing problems", being replaced by John Brownless. This line up recorded the 'Too Wild To Tame' single before Brownless was ejected and in came Lez Cheetham. Ross left to fill the vacant slot as SATAN's vocalist when Ian Swift decamped and, in a bizarre turn of events, Swift promptly joined AVENGER.

In 1985 AVENGER toured Europe with an additional guitarist Ginger, a former member of Glam troupe IPANEMA KATZ. However, after a handful of shows Ginger was allegedly sacked for taking too long in the dressing room applying make up. Ginger journeyed through ZIG ZAG, THE QUIREBOYS, THE THROBS and THE WILDHEARTS.

American ex-METAL WOLF guitarist Greg Reiter replaced Lez Cheetham prior to recording 'Killer Elite'. Reiter's pedigree with METAL WOLF included Philadelphia shows with support band JOHNNY BONGIOVI AND THE WILD ONES. Young was superseded by another American Darren Kurland. The band toured the East coast of America, including dates opening for LIEGE LORD, but disintegrated midway through the dates. Towards the end there were plans to add an American vocalist. Swift joined ATOMKRAFT.

AVENGER contributed promo footage for three tracks 'Under The Hammer', 'Run For Your Life' and 'Revenge Attack' to the Neat video compilation 'Metal City' in 1985.

AVENGER was set to reform in 1995 with a line-up of Moore, Reiter and the PENTAGRAM and RAVEN credited drummer Joe Hasselvander but this liaison never materialized. Moore spent most of the nineties in a legal battle with Neat Records in a dispute over royalty statements and payments, winning an out of court cash settlement and the reversion of his rights to the AVENGER back catalogue in 1997.

A re-founded AVENGER, featuring Ian Davison Swift, Mick Moore and drummer Gary Young along with new additions Glenn S. Howes, ex-TYGERS OF PAN TANG and BLITZKRIEG with Liam Thompson from DEATH AND BLOOD, bounced back in 2005. A support tour in the UK to Y&T in June was followed by an appearance at the 'Headbangers Open Air' warm-up show on 7th July at the Cantina in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany. Howes left to forge JUDAS PRIEST tribute band JUDAS BEAST and was replaced by another BLITZKRIEG man, Tony J. Liddle.

Confusion was apparent in February 2007 when a press statement read from Ian Davison Swift "AVENGER has changed its name to AVENGER UK. "This is due to confusion over the number of the several other European 'AVENGERs' and also because of conflict over the band's name with former bass player Mick Moore." The new look band comprised Ian Davison Swift, guitarist Liam Thompson, second guitarist guitarist Sean Jeffries, of FROM THE ASHES and FALLEN SKIES, bass player Huw Holding, from ORDER OF THE BLACK SUN, and drummer Gary Young.