Guns for Hire is the debut album from Tailgunner. It’s a proper cracker. Fresh, brash and pounding heavy metal with melodic elements and something of a retro feel to it incorporating something of a 1980s sound akin to good old New Wave of British Heavy Metal as all the influences are there.
The band do it all so well. Thunderous drumming and fast, throbbing bass lines laying a very solid foundation for the guitars build on spitting out the riffs and the often savage, stabbing soloing apace.
The vocals hit the spot too being powerful as necessary – particularly the choruses which are huge and shout-along.
Songs made to be performed live. Tailgunner I’d imagine are a band who must be in their element performing in front of an audience.
What about the music…..?
Ten thumpingly powerful tracks delivered energetically and at some pace which does not relent. Measured power from start to finish over around a running time of around forty minutes.
Shadows of War in an excellent and attention grabbing opener. Riff-laden with a huge melodic chorus and chunky, fluid solo work from the guitars. A bit early Judas Priest/Iron Maiden feel to it. Here are some of the 1980s/NWOBHM influences.
The title track is up next. Fast, furious and oh so catchy with the monster chorus. And so it goes over the remaining eight tracks.
Not a weak moment or the slightest hint of a ballad anywhere. White Death gallops along delivering the good stuff as do each track. All varied too so as not to fall in to a trap of being samey and generic.
Check out New Horizons as an example of what you get on Guns for Hire.
Whilst the general song structure is shortish keeping the power up, Tailgunner can do the lengthy epic stuff also. Showing their chops to stretch out on the closer – Rebirth. Around eight minutes of mayhem twisting and turning as the band crank it up to eleven and beyond with a cleverly arranged and put together epic.
Tailgunner show much promise with Guns for Hire. A debut album brimming with energy and power keeping it under control without going over the top.
Heavy Metal for Eternity is says in the booklet and on one of the panels of the CD cover. Sums it up well I’d say…….! Usual formats available.