“There’s always something a little bit surreal when people actually get to hear it,” the band explains, reflecting on finally releasing the album after months of work. Early reactions have been encouraging, and for Tailgunner, that response confirms a core aim of the record: to step into the wider rock and metal mainstream without compromising their heavy metal identity. “It was a real goal with this record to try and break into the mainstream of the rock and metal world and fly the flag for old school heavy metal.” Rather than positioning themselves as a nostalgia act, Tailgunner see modern heavy metal as something that should reconnect with fun, escapism, and fantasy. As they put it, “Metal just needs more fun. It needs to sometimes stop taking itself so seriously… Heavy metal ultimately is fun, it’s escapism, it’s fantasy, and that’s what we’re trying to bring. It’s just a good time.”

When it came to writing ‘Midnight Blitz’, the band made a conscious effort to block out outside expectations and focus on what felt right for them creatively. “All you can do as an artist is create for yourself. You can’t really try to make other people happy — you just have to make yourself happy,” they explain. For Tailgunner, that also means accepting that not everyone will connect with their sound. “If you don’t love Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, you’re not going to like us. And we’re absolutely fine with that.”

Musically, the album marks a step forward in both precision and collaboration. The twin guitar dynamic has become a bigger part of the band’s identity, with more harmonized and complementary parts than ever before. “I’ve never been in a band before where there’s been two lead twin guitars,” Rhea notes, pointing to tracks like “Eulogy” as a personal highlight. At the same time, Tailgunner were careful not to polish away what makes them who they are. While the record is more focused than their debut, they intentionally kept classic heavy metal elements front and center. “We wanted to make the best possible version of Tailgunner that we could,” they explain, while still embracing “twin leads, excessive guitar solos, excessive amounts of double kick and high, screamy vocals.”

A major influence on the album came from working closely with legendary Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing as producer. The collaboration was built on mutual respect, with room for debate and creative pushback. “Sometimes we would definitely have arguments about the material in the studio,” they admit. “But I think that’s important. If you don’t have those conversations, it would mean that people didn’t care.” One of the most impactful lessons from K.K. had nothing to do with riffs or solos. “He was like, no — it’s never just ‘it is what it is.’ You can always, always improve,” they recall. That mindset extended beyond music into planning, preparation, and attention to detail across every aspect of the band’s career.

With extensive touring already underway and major festival appearances ahead, Tailgunner are eager to see how ‘Midnight Blitz’ continues to evolve on stage. Tracks like “Eulogy” and “Barren Lands and Seas of Red” are already shaping up to be live centerpieces, combining technical focus with room to cut loose.

Looking ahead, the band is especially excited for milestone shows at Download Festival, Sweden Rock, and Belgium’s Alcatraz Festival — all seen as significant markers in their journey. As they put it simply, the mission remains clear: get out on the road, build the band the right way, and “keep heavy metal alive.”

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