Carrying the torch of NWOBHM, young British band TAILGUNNER have announced their upcoming sophomore record, Midnight Blitz, out 6th February via Napalm Records.
Along with the announcement and fittingly introduced by air raid sirens comes the first new song, title track ‘Midnight Blitz’.
Watch the video for ‘Midnight Blitz’ below.
Pre-order Midnight Blitz here: https://lnk.to/TailgunnerMidnightBlitz/napalmrecords
Drawing heavily from classic heavy metal sounds, TAILGUNNER have found support in the very heroes they follow: after making a strong impression supporting KK’s Priest, legendary guitarist K.K. Downing went on to produce Midnight Blitz. The dynamic album now pushes the genre forward just like its influences once did, with TAILGUNNER always crafting their sound and building on what they have, whilst never compromising on what they started with. Blitzkrieg drums and screaming twin lead guitars in new single ‘Midnight Blitz’ make the 80s come alive again – a powerful harbinger of what earned TAILGUNNERK.K. Downing‘s rare endorsement.
TAILGUNNER commented: “Whilst touring our debut album, we shared stages with members of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Accept – we watched, we learned, and we put it all down on tape. The aim behind ‘Midnight Blitz’ was to craft an all time album opener, like ‘Aces High’, ‘Painkiller’, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ and ‘Hells Bells’. Everyone remembers the first time you hear the opening track on an album that changes everything. The hair stands up on the back of your neck and you know from this moment onwards, nothing will ever be the same. The launch sequence on the next era of TAILGUNNER has been hit. ‘Masters of the skies, never call it quits. Time to do or die, we are the Midnight Blitz!'”
K.K. Downing commented: “TAILGUNNER is a band we should have seen emerge years ago from the UK. They personify everything that is heavy metal. They are loud and proud, and totally descended from everyone in metal that has gone before – their energy and rawness, together with their brand of metal, incorporates all of the godfathers and much more. Maiden, Priest, Motörhead, Def Leppard – the list is endless. The band has a youthful freshness and a uniqueness that will no doubt elevate them to being a true Metal favourite of the fans.”
Midnight Blitz is classic Heavy Metal without being pastiche. This is a band for the here and now – not just worshipping at the altar, but determined to stand upon it as the Metal Gods of a whole new generation of headbangers. TAILGUNNER prove their skills effortlessly, carving themselves out as Heavy Metal’s future and grabbing the torch from the legends themselves. Catchy hooks, killer riffs, and appealing to every heavy metal fan – join K.K. Downing and discover your new heroes now.
TAILGUNNER comment on new album Midnight Blitz: “Like phantoms of the clouds, the Midnight Blitz screams silently through the air. Descending on their prey, a Heavy Metal militia striking at the speed of sound. Only blood can run! Whilst touring our debut album, we were described by one roadie as ‘The bastard child of Maiden & Priest‘ and that became the ethos for our new album Midnight Blitz. Just like our fore bearers, we are determined to push forward, always crafting our sound and building on what we have, whilst never compromising on what we started with – Pure Heavy Metal! We are not just worshipping at the altar of those who have gone before, but determined to stand upon it and be the heroes for a whole new generation! We played over 100 shows touring our debut album, sharing the stages with some of the most legendary names in Metal while paying our dues in blood, sweat, tears and endless nights out on the road. Everything we learned is on display here, packed into 10 tracks in what we feel can be a true, essential TAILGUNNER album. Produced by none other than the Metal guitar God K.K. Downing, working closely with K.K. during this entire process has been the ride of a lifetime and you can hear those touches of a bonafide Metal God throughout this album!”
Catch TAILGUNNER live in 2026:
30.01.26 UK – Trecco Bay, Wales / Planet Rock Winters End Festival
Tour support for Fozzy‘s Eyes On You tour:
06.02.26 EN – Brighton, England / Chalk
07.02.26 EN – Margate, England / Dreamland
08.02.26 EN – Manchester, England / The Ritz
10.02.26 EN – Norwich, England / Epic Studios
11.02.26 EN – Bradford, England / Nightrain
13.02.26 EN – Nottingham, England / Rock City
14.02.26 SC – Glasgow, Scotland / TV Studios
15.02.26 EN – Newcastle, England / Boiler Shop
17.02.26 WL – Cardiff, Wales / Tramshed
18.02.26 EN – Torquay, England / The Foundry
19.02.26 EN – Southampton, England / The 1865
20.02.26 EN – London, England / Electric Ballroom
21.02.26 EN – Wolverhampton, England / KK’s Steel Mill
05.06.26 IS – Stykkishólmur, Iceland / Sátan Festival
Track list:
Midnight Blitz
Tears In Rain
Follow Me In Death
Dead Until Dark
Barren Lands And Seas Of Red
War In Heaven
Blood Sacrifice
Night Raids
Eye Of The Storm
Eulogy
TAILGUNNER are:
Craig Carns – Vocals
Rhea Thompson – Lead Guitar:
Zach Salvini – Lead Guitar
Bones – Bass Guitar
Eddie Mariotti – Drums
TAILGUNNER online:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
