At a time when Heavy Metal seems divided and filled with modern formulas lacking any identity, some bands manage to do something rare: respect the past without sounding repetitive. That seems to be the case with Tailgunner, who, coming from the United Kingdom, emerged as part of the new wave of traditional Heavy Metal, but quickly made it clear that they did not just come to revisit the 80s; they came to rebuild them with their own energy, aggression, and ambition. The band continues to grow through intense, intimate concerts and by supporting established acts such as Hammerfall, who took them on tour earlier this year, 2026.
From what I see and especially from what I hear, I believe that Tailgunner are beginning to be seen as one of the most promising bands of the new generation of traditional European Heavy Metal. Formed in 2022, they are part of the New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal movement, a movement that recovers the spirit of classic Heavy Metal, with fast riffs, harmonious guitar duos, strong choruses, and a sound aesthetic that draws directly from bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Here is the first interesting fact: KK Downing, the legendary former founding guitarist of Priest, is the one helping catapult the band forward, being part of its production and recording process. The style, posture, and the way they dress are unmistakable, rooted in an old school spirit fused with new blood.
It is precisely in this context that the new album, “Midnight Blitz”, released on February 6th, 2026 by Napalm Records, emerges, standing out not only as the band’s second album, but also as an affirmation of identity. In my opinion, this is the album that can put Tailgunner on the world map, not only because of everything involved in terms of quality and image, but also because of the way the songs convey a very peculiar energy when heard for the first time. Back in November 2025, when the band released the album’s first single, the title track “Midnight Blitz,” it was impossible to remain indifferent to the beginning, where the initial sirens serve as a prelude to drums in authentic attack mode, cutting riffs, and a maturity well above average. There could be no better way to take the first step with this promising album, without beating around the bush or creating ambiguity. In its purest form, it is Heavy Metal that respects the structure that gave rise to it: direct, upfront, and unfiltered.
After listening to the album in its entirety, it is clear that most of the remaining songs are far superior to the last two singles released in January, “Eulogy” and “Tears in Rain”. There are themes of pure speed, aggressive and almost warlike, such as “Blood Sacrifice” and “Night Raids”, which directly refer to classic speed metal, but there are also more epic and atmospheric moments, as is the case with the singles mentioned above, where the band explores more open structures and melodies, giving the songs an almost cinematic dimension.
The balance between these two approaches is one of the great merits of Midnight Blitz, which offers sound, speed, and technique for all tastes, and that is what makes it a very complete album. Personally, I think it has been years since I heard music from a recent band that captivated me as much as “Follow Me in Death” or “Dead Until Dark”, which are album highlights along with the single “Midnight Blitz”. It is impossible not to mention the mastery of Rhea Thompson, the lead guitarist and special ingredient of this quintet, with highly technical solos that are well placed within the atmosphere of the songs and a very unique and distinctive fingerpicking style. Added to this are the powerful bass lines of Thomas Hewson, founder of the band and main creative force, and the epic vocals of Craig Cairns. Having seen a Tailgunner concert two weeks ago, I must say that their energy and professionalism carry over into the studio, revealing a well developed personality and maturity. I hope to see them again.
It is true that in recent years we have witnessed a resurgence of traditional Heavy Metal and a new global expansion of the genre, not only through the return of historic bands, but also through their long tours and strong stage presence. However, the years go by and, unfortunately, we are getting closer to the end of an era that will never be replicated. As such, it is bands like Tailgunner, with their conviction, aesthetics, and identity, that remind us that metal as we know it does not need to be reinvented, but rather honoured, lived, and incredibly well executed. I believe the band has the ingredients to make us remember, in 10 or 15 years, why we started to like this genre and its sound so much, and at the same tim,e encourage new generations to continue the legacy and revisit classics like Maiden, Motorhead, Priest, among others. I could go on, but I would be here all night. My wish is that they are like a needle in a haystack and that they chart their own course.
HAIL TO METAL!!