Album Review: Tailgunner – Midnight Blitz (Napalm Records)

Tailgunner return with their new album Midnight Blitz, set for release on 6 February via Napalm Records.

Tailgunner emerged in 2022 as a fresh British heavy metal force, quickly earning support from the heroes they idolise. After impressing on tour with KK’s Priest, legendary guitarist K.K. Downing went on to produce their second album, Midnight Blitz, out 6 February via Napalm Records. Building on their classic British Heavy Metal influences, the band push their sound forward without compromising on the pure, no-nonsense metal they started with. Midnight Blitz delivers ten tracks of precision and power, from the blitzkrieg title track to the epic choruses of Tears In Rain, proving Tailgunner are a band ready to carry the torch for a new generation of heavy metal.

Speaking about Tailgunner, K.K. Downing states:

“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.”

Tailgunner is Craig Carns on vocals, Rhea Thompson and Zach Salvini on guitars, Bones on bass guitar and Eddie Mariotti on drums.

Midnight Blitz opens with the title track, hitting immediately with pace and power. Energetic heavy metal drives forward on sharp lead guitars, pounding drums, and a bassline that keeps everything moving. The vocals are clean but carry bite and menace beneath the soaring melodies. A strong chorus and immense solo ensure it never outstays its welcome, ending quickly but leaving a lasting impression.

Tears In Rain leans into 80s heavy metal vibes, opening with catchy beats and melodic hooks. The verse pulls back slightly, lowering the vocal register over tight drums and bass, while quick-picked riffs build tension towards a huge chorus. That chorus is instantly memorable and made for singing along, with a harmonised guitar solo that fits perfectly and hits hard.

Follow Me In Death and Dead Until Dark come next. The former delivers another blast of traditional heavy metal, fast-paced musically but with a slower, more measured vocal approach in the chorus that creates a strong contrast. The verses are all fire, driven by the speed and power of the drums and bass, while the melodies, riffs, and vocals combine effortlessly into a top-quality song. And yes, there is a solo — and it absolutely delivers.

Dead Until Dark harks back to that early heavy metal style again, opening with vocals over a driving drum beat before the guitars gradually grow into the verse. The track builds steadily until it hits an impressive, emphatic chorus, closed out with a wicked burst of guitars. The solo is equally impressive, though four songs in, a slight sense of familiarity does begin to creep in, hinting that a shift in dynamics would be welcome.

Well placed, Barren Lands And Seas Of Red follows and does exactly that, ramping up the heaviness. Meaty riffs and powerful drums deliver a mosh-worthy introduction, while the verses keep the aggression front and centre. Bursts of lead melody add depth as the rhythm section continues to pound away. Another strong chorus anchors the track, and multiple solos add flair, but the standout moment here is the meandering lead guitar woven through the verses. At over six minutes, it is noticeably longer than what has come before, with the extended intro, outro, and additional solos adding welcome variety to the flow of Midnight Blitz.

War In Heaven opens with synth before softened guitars and melancholic singing deliver a section that screams ballad. It’s beautiful and sung extremely well. The song grows towards the chorus, with drums kicking in and guitars and vocals rising. After an impactful chorus, it drops back into a reflective section. The vocals and backing vocals together sound amazing — a very strong, emotional track on Midnight Blitz.

Up next is Blood Sacrifice. Tailgunner reenergise after the ballad with a rowdy, raucous track full of quick-picked riffs and fast drums. The verses fly by in a blur of heavy metal before a memorable, catchy chorus takes over. The long guitar solo passes through multiple phases, keeping it interesting. Simple, in-your-face metal that’s a lot of fun to listen to.

Night Raids is another top-quality track and one of my favourites. It delivers hook after hook and celebrates everything great in heavy metal. The verses are driving, the chorus is catchy, and it flows perfectly. Subtle tone and pitch shifts make the vocals immense. The backing vocals are seriously impressive. There’s a solo — as expected — and it hits hard. Brilliant track.

Eye Of The Storm is another standout. It opens with a big, powerful intro before dropping into a more subdued, menacing verse with strong melodies. The song then builds into a stunning chorus. Where some bands fade in the last third of an album, Tailgunner save some of their best for the end of Midnight Blitz. This is one of them.

Midnight Blitz closes with the longest track at six and a half minutes, Eulogy. A fitting title and a special track. Already released as a single, it could have felt familiar, but from the first note I was drawn back in. Fast and fiery, melodic, and full of hooks. The drum work is impressive. It’s not genre-changing, but it delivers exactly what you want from the very best of heavy metal. A perfect way to close a strong album.

Midnight Blitz cements Tailgunner as one of the most exciting new bands in British heavy metal. From the blitzkrieg title track to the epic choruses of Tears In Rain and the emotional weight of War In Heaven, the album blends precision, power, and melody across ten versatile tracks. There’s a slight sense of familiarity that creeps in at times, but it never dulls the impact — every song delivers hooks, solos, and energy, showing a band fully confident in their sound. Midnight Blitz is a statement album.

Track List:

1. Midnight Blitz
2. Tears In Rain
3. Follow Me In Death
4. Dead Until Dark
5. Barren Lands And Seas Of Red
6. War In Heaven
7. Blood Sacrifice
8. Night Raids
9. Eye Of The Storm
10. Eulogy

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