British metal band Tailgunner has shared “War in Heaven,” the latest single from its sophomore album, “Midnight Blitz” (Feb. 6, 2026, Napalm Records; pre-order here).
The song, a ballad, features Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple), who just won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance (with Yungblud) for his appearance at Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning event, on synths.
“War in Heaven,” like the rest of “Midnight Blitz,” was produced by guitar legend K.K. Downing (Judas Priest, KK’s Priest).
“When the legendary K.K. Downing challenges you to write a ballad, you don’t let him down,” Tailgunner said. “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 is a band we should have seen emerge years ago from the U.K.,” Downing said. “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.”
Discussing the album, the band said: “Whilst touring our debut album, we were described by one roadie as ‘the bastard child of Maiden and Priest’ and that became the ethos for our new album ‘Midnight Blitz.’ Just like our forebearers, 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!”
“Midnight Blitz” track listing:
- 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– limited to 300 copies
- 1LP Gatefold Splatter Dark Night Blue– limited to 300 copies
- 1LP Gatefold Translucent Red
- 1LP Gatefold Solid Baby Pink – limited to 300 copies (band shop only)
- 1LP Gatefold Translucent Blue – available in the U.K. only
- Digipack & Shirt Bundle
- Music Cassette GREY– limited to 100 copies
- 6 Page Digipack
- Digital Album
Tour dates:
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
with Fozzy
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
2026 summer festivals
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)
