Tailgunner unleash new single ‘War In Heaven’ featuring Adam Wakeman

With the release of their sophomore album, Midnight Blitz, only a few days away, heavy metal band TAILGUNNER fires on all cylinders once again. “War In Heaven” is a ballad that truly proves their versatility – a powerful statement in the book of heavy metal. This time, producer K.K. Downing is not the only legend that the five-piece from heavy metal’s birthplace could recruit: “War In Heaven” features Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple), who just won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his appearance at Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning happening, on synths. The feature epically bridges the gap between 80s worship and a youthful, contemporary spirit. TAILGUNNER are unmatched – Midnight Blitz releases this Friday, February 6 via Napalm Records.

TAILGUNNER about “War In Heaven”:

“When the legendary K.K. Downing challenges you to write a ballad, you don’t let him down. Make no mistake, this one hits hard. We went all out and enlisted the help of Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple) on synths to make ‘War In Heaven’ an all-time classic, just like those iconic 80s ballads from the bands we all love. Walking in the footsteps of giants, no ballad is complete without a blistering, iconic guitar solo, ready for the history books—and ‘War In Heaven’ is no exception.”

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.

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!”

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.”

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.

Check out our interview with Rhea and Bones right here:

Interview Tailgunner – “Heavy metal should be loud, proud, and fun.”

TAILGUNNER Live 2026

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)

TAILGUNNER are:
Craig Cairns – Vocals
Rhea Thompson – Lead Guitar
Zach Salvini – Lead Guitar
Bones – Bass Guitar
Eddie Mariotti – Drums