Tailgunner
Midnight Blitz
Napalm Records
Out on February 6!!!
Kicking off opening track (and, indeed, album title track) ‘Midnight Blitz’ with air raid sirens is a wise precaution. But nothing can truly prepare you for Tailgunner’s onslaught of dizzying guitars and on target vocals which give more shock and awe than an explosion at a fireworks factory. Rabid ‘Follow Me In Death’ is propelled by a bazillion miles per hour drumming and rages through like a shaken-up box of bees. ‘Tears In Rain’ brings depth to the Tailgunner trademark classic British Heavy Metal delirium. The bass pummels through the six string frenzy, and you realise you’re listening to Craig Carns’ lyrics and wondering what words of wisdom he’s going to sing next rather than willing him to hit notes higher than the current cost of living. ‘War in Heaven’ is next level Tailgunner. Craig’s vox is majestic – becoming pleading and impassioned. This track is slow, sincere, operatic – and a highlight of the album. With soaring guitar solos and a more sombre melody, its place slap bang in the middle of ‘Midnight Blitz’ is poignant. Glory days of metal, storytelling ‘Barren Lands and Seas of Red’ is everything you want it to be. ‘Night Raids’ could carve itself into cliff faces with its hammering riffs and razor blade sharp high as you like harmonies. ‘Midnight Blitz’ doesn’t just hit the target – it smashes it.