Tailgunner

In the contemporary British heavy metal landscape, Tailgunner has, since the late 2010s, established a sound rooted in traditional metal and speed metal. Formed in the UK, the band draws heavily on 1980s influences: twin-guitar arrangements, fast tempos and clean vocals that prioritize catchy choruses. The EP Crashdive (2022) was an initial step, setting an aesthetic of straightforward song structures, prominent solos and the nocturnal atmosphere typical of classic metal, while the album Guns for Hire (2023) consolidated this approach in a full-length format. Tailgunner is part of a network of traditionalist heavy metal bands, playing numerous club and festival dates across the UK and Europe with an energy geared toward live performance. The lyrics remain close to heavy metal’s historical codes—martial references, aviation imagery and dark themes—while the production highlights the band’s dynamics without departing from a deliberately incisive, direct sound.