Album Review: Tailgunner - Midnight Blitz
Reviewed by Sam Jones
Few bands in British metal have catapulted to stardom as rapidly and deservedly as Tailgunner. Formed in 2018, Tailgunner have been at the forefront of the nation’s export of heavy metal ever since as their swagger and style perfectly champions the NWOBHM essence of bygone decades. Releasing a flurry of Singles and an EP, Tailgunner released their debut full length, Guns For Hire, in 2023, to astonishing praise citing their sound as simultaneously familiar and fresh amidst a sea of contemporary NWOBHM enthusiasts. Now three years on Tailgunner return with their second album, Midnight Blitz, and signed on to the massive label of Napalm Records. For many Tailgunner’s new release will be amongst their most anticipated of the year and, with a February 6th release date, fans won’t have long to wait.
Opening with the stellar Single and title track, Tailgunner launch us into their record with ecstatic fervour. Though they be but a young act their hunger is simply ravenous as one insinuates Tailgunner aren’t playing merely to fulfil a record contract or the banal expectation of a new album, rather they’re utterly infatuated with the sound of the NWOBHM and Midnight Blitz is their latest notch on that adoration. It’s no wonder Tailgunner have ascended to stardom so rapidly given their songwriting constantly strives for summits and keeps you there with every passing minute, all the while gearing up to take you to ever greater peaks.
2026 offers today’s bands opportunities bands of NWOBHM’s rise did not get: technological clarity. We would surely be more surprised if Tailgunner had adopted a dirtier soundscape than the cleaner and polished sheen their work exhibits. But whilst their sound is undeniably clean thus granting audiences zero distractions from taking in every feasible lick and turn in the songwriting, I appreciated how punchy their riffs are and even as we acknowledge this the guitar work packs sharper, piercing timbre within to drive home their strength with greater tenacity. This is the case even throughout their softer pieces on record; Midnight Blitz rarely relents but on varying tracks where the songwriting’s malice ebbs, you’ll still feel engaged and interested considering Tailgunner will always have a chokehold upon you. It may lessen its grip periodically but you’ll always feel their fingers.
Frontman Craig Cairns is the vocal epicentre of Tailgunner and perhaps the best, rising name in NWOBHM-inspired bands. Listening to his performances on record and live, it’s evident the man can sing, possessing the lighter yet wavy timbre required for NWOBHM to hit home, hitting that dual target of entertainment and energy. I love that he doesn’t aspire to throw out an unending succession of high-pitched cries nor try so hard it feels thrown in our faces; however what higher notes he sustains climb just high enough for us to take notice yet never feel obnoxious, for we understand he’s performing what must be heard for a song in question to be fully appreciated. Cairns’ control and flow may just be Taulgunner’s secret weapon.
I do feel that Tailgunner have already begun to differentiate their sound from contemporary NWOBHM. We must be clear: Tailgunner’s identity and sound is deeply rooted in that British 1980s aesthetic, but there are moments where it strays, seeking other bluffs and landscapes to throw at us. To some degree they teased this throughout Guns For Hire, they were never a one-for-one rip-off without their own identity, but Midnight Blitz demonstrates Tailgunner don’t wish to simply emulate and are determined to strike out with their sound, with temerity, with soul. It’s just one reason why this record is going to stand out come its release as fans shall know it’s far from Another Nostalgic Record.
In conclusion, Midnight Blitz is an adrenaline-fuelled sophomore studio work that sees Tailgunner throw off the shackles of their early years, rocketing full bore into stardom, cementing their name in today’s pantheon of metal. Where Guns For Hire was a striking debut, Midnight Blitz already finds the band seeking new avenues their sound may run down and can only see what a third instalment in the Tailgunner story may hold. At no point herein did I think their sound was trying to embody another particular band; Tailgunner have more than earned their place as a burgeoning act with songs equally entertaining and cohesive. There was never an instance where I found their sound escaping my understanding; the writing is excellent and you’ll always feel confident in Tailgunner’s capacity to enthral. I was thoroughly happy with this release and no doubt a slew of others will do so too once February 6th rolls round.
Be the first to comment