Rising British Heavy Metal Band TAILGUNNER Pay Homage to Classic 80s Movie Blade Runner With New Single, “Tears In Rain” | Watch the Lyric Video HERE!
New Album, Midnight Blitz,Produced by Metal Legend K. K. Downing, Out February 6, 2026 via Napalm Records | Pre-Order NOW!
Extensive Touring in 2026! Many More Dates to be Announced Soon!
“TAILGUNNER personify everything that is heavy metal.”
– Guitar legend K.K. Downing
Inspired by a famous monologue from legendary 80s blockbuster Blade Runner, TAILGUNNER dive into epic songwriting with the second single from their upcoming album, Midnight Blitz, out on February 6, 2026 via Napalm Records. “Tears In Rain”, named after a phrase the movie’s antagonist, Roy Batty, uses in his last words, showcases TAILGUNNER frontman Craig Cairns’ broad vocal skills and the band’s ability to deliver huge, infectious choruses. No wonder the young British band even got heavy metal legend K. K. Downing himself on board as producer. “Tears In Rain” – contrary to the original movie quote – will definitely not be lost in time!
TAILGUNNER about “Tears In Rain”:
“‘Lost in time, like Tears in Rain…’ The most iconic monologue in cinematic history, and one of most legendary on-screen moments of the 80s. ‘Blade Runner’ has been a focal point throughout writing our new album, and none more so than here, on our new single ‘Tears in Rain’. Carrying a chorus for the ages, this is a track we can’t wait to take out on the road and have you sing with us, deep into the night. Made for those moments where the light fades and things get that little more epic, ‘Tears in Rain’ is an all-time anthem, here for the modern day.”
TAILGUNNER unleashes 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.”
Pre-Order Your Copy Of Midnight Blitz HERE:
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.
“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 tracklisting:
- Midnight Blitz
- Tears In Rain
- Follow Me In Death
- Dead Until Dark
- Barren Lands And Seas Of Red
- War In Heaven
- Blood Sacrifice
- Night Raids
- Eye Of The Storm
- Eulogy
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
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
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
27.06.26 DE – Dischingen / Rock Am Härtsfeldsee
04.07.26 DE – Ballenstedt / Rock Harz
07.07.26 NO – Trondheim / Trondheim Rocks Festival
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
TAILGUNNER online:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS
