TAILGUNNER unleash their second album, Midnight Blitz, out February 6, 2026 via Napalm Records. Bursting onto the scene in 2022, their sophomore work draws heavily from classic British Heavy Metal, but just like those influences, the band are determined to push forward. Always crafting their sound and building on what they have, whilst never compromising on what they started with – Pure Heavy Metal. In an astonishingly short time, the emerging British heavy metal talent 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 the upcoming album, Midnight Blitz.
The ambitious quintet fires with more precision than ever before on 10 versatile tracks. An air raid siren stands as harbinger of the onslaught from the powerful title track, “Midnight Blitz”, in which blitzkrieg drums and screaming twin lead guitars serve as a powerful sign of what is to come. The epic “Tears In Rain” showcases frontman Craig Cairns’ broad vocal skills and the band’s ability to deliver huge, infectious choruses.
“Follow Me In Death” boasts TAILGUNNER’s Maiden-esque approach to grandiose, heavy melodies, while ‘The Lost Boys’-inspired “Dead Until Dark” turns up the 80s vibes full throttle. With “Barren Lands and Seas of Red”, the young British band prove they have epics in their arsenal, continuing to intertwine catchy choruses with manic, thrash tinged riffs before letting audiences catch their breaths during the modern classic ballad “War In Heaven” – goosebumps guaranteed! The following “Blood Sacrifice” ups the tempo significantly and offers numerous opportunities to raise your fist and shout along, while “Night Raids” and “Eye Of The Storm” add triumphant notes, respectively, preparing for the grand finale. The epic, Power Metal feel of “Eulogy” wraps Midnight Blitz up masterfully, shifting from gently orchestrated melodies and memorable vocals before exploding into Speed Metal fireworks.
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 and be 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, energetic riffs, and appealing to every heavy metal fan: Join K.K. Downing and discover your new heroes now!
K.K. Downing on TAILGUNNER:
“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 Live 2026
With HAMMERFALL
14.01.26 CH – Pratteln / Konzertfabrik Z7
15.01.26 CH – Lausanne / Les Docks
17.01.26 ES – Barcelona / Razzmatazz
18.01.26 ES – Murcia / Mamba
20.01.26 ES – Sevilla / Custom
21.01.26 PT – Lisbon / Republica Da Musica
22.01.26 PT – Porto / Hard Club
23.01.26 ES – Madrid / La Riviera
24.01.26 ES – Villava / Sala Totem
26.01.26 IT – Milan / Alcatraz
30.01.26 WL – Porthcawl, 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
Supporting ACCEPT on their “Half A Century Of Metal” Tour:
27.08.26 EN – Wolverhampton / KK’s Steel Mill
28.08.26 EN – London / Indigo at the O2
Summer Festivals 2026
05.06.26 IS – Stykkishólmur / Sátan Festival
06.06.26 SE – Sölvesborg / Sweden Rock Festival
07.06.26 NO – Trondheim / Trondheim Rocks Festival
13.06.26 UK – Donington Park / Download Festival
26.06.26 CZ – Spálené Poříčí / Basinfire Fest
27.06.26 DE – Dischingen / Rock Am Härtsfeldsee
04.07.26 DE – Ballenstedt / Rock Harz
18.07.26 UK – Maidstone / Maid of Stone Festival
06.08.26 ES – Villena / Leyendas Del Rock
08.08.26 BE – Kortrijk / Alcatraz
09.08.26 DE – Geiselwind / Keep It True Legions Festival
15.08.26 NL – Eindhoven / Dynamo Metal Fest
21.08.26 DE – Pellingen / Hells Pells Festival
05.09.26 UK – Coventry / Hella Rock Festival (Coventry Empire)
