Carrying the torch of NWOBHM are Tailgunner! Recently signed to Napalm Records, the young British band announces their upcoming sophomore studio album, “Midnight Blitz”, out on February 6th, 2026.
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.
Along with the announcement and fittingly introduced by air raid sirens comes the first new song, title track “Midnight Blitz”! Blitzkrieg drums and screaming twin lead guitars make the 80s come alive again – a powerful harbinger of what earned Tailgunner K.K. Downing’s rare endorsement to begin with. This young band from the home country of metal is one to watch!
Tailgunner about “Midnight Blitz”:
“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 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”.
Watch the official music video for “Midnight Blitz” below.
“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 about “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”!
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” will be available in the following formats:
• 1LP Gatefold Splatter CRISTALLO/RED, SKYBLUE – strictly limited to 300 copies
• 1LP Gatefold Splatter Dark Night Blue – strictly limited to 300 copies
• 1LP Gatefold Translucent Red
• 1LP Gatefold Solid Baby Pink – strictly limited to 300 copies (Band shop only)
• 1LP Gatefold Translucent Blue – available in the UK only
• Digipack & Shirt Bundle
• Music Cassette GREY – strictly limited to 100 copies
• 6 Page Digipack
• Digital Album
Pre-order & pre-save “Midnight Blitz” here.
Tracklist:
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
European Tour Dates 2026:
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
(w/ Hammerfall)
Summer Festivals 2026:
05.06.26 IS – Stykkishólmur / Sátan Festival
06.06.26 SE – Sölvesborg / Sweden Rock Festival
13.06.26 UK – Donington Park / Download Festival
26.06.26 CZ – Spálené Poříčí / Basinfire Fest
18.07.26 UK – Maidstone / Maid of Stone Festival
09.08.26 DE – Geiselwind / Keep It True Legions Festival
15.08.26 NL – Eindhoven / Dynamo Metal Fest
05.09.26 UK – Coventry / Hella Rock Festival (Coventry Empire)
UK Tour Dates 2026:
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 Fozzy)
Festivals 2026:
30.01.26 WL – Trecco Bay, Wales / Planet Rock Winters End Festival
05.06.26 IS – Stykkishólmur, Iceland / Sátan Festival
Line-up:
Craig Carns – Vocals
Rhea Thompson – Lead Guitar
Zach Salvini – Lead Guitar
Bones – Bass Guitar
Eddie Mariotti – Drums
