Airforce

Rooted in the British tradition of heavy metal, Airforce formed in London in 1987 around drummer Doug Sampson, who had been part of Iron Maiden’s early line‑up, with vocalist Chop Pitman and bassist Tony Hatton. The band sits within the NWOBHM legacy with a sound that blends hard rock riffs, pronounced melodic lines and straightforward rhythms, in a direct songwriting style that remains tied to the codes of English heavy metal. After a first EP released at the end of the 1980s, Airforce paused its activity before relaunching the project several years later, returning both to the stage and to the studio. Its recent discography notably includes Judgement Day (2016), Strike Hard (2020) and Acts of Madness (2024), three albums that extend this aesthetic between heavy tension, classic structures and clear, easily discernible vocals. Airforce also reworked material with Jezz Coad, who had been associated with the band in its first period, linking its different phases of activity. Between NWOBHM heritage and hard‑rock continuity, Airforce thus maintains an identity faithful to its roots while continuing its course over time.