Tailgunner are a heavy metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.
Boasting the endlessly enjoyable singing voice of the vocalist from the mighty Induction, Guns for Hire offers a 48-minute feast of classic heavy metal tunes for fans of the style to eagerly devour.
Tailgunner have learned from the heavy metal greats and their music is focused on what works – soaring vocals and huge choruses, prime metal riffage, and infectious duelling melodies. Yes, Guns for Hire is an atavistic old-school collection of heavy metal tunes. Packed with hooks and strong songwriting, if you like your metal honest, authentic, and catchy, then this is for you.
So, think bands like Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Judas Priest, as well as newer acts like Enforcer and Haunt, and you’ll be on the right lines. Honestly though, despite obviously being of the present age, Guns for Hire has such an old-school feel to it that it could almost have come out of the 80s direct. Sure, it has a contemporary veneer sonically, but ultimately this is pure old-school worship that’s done very well.
Tailgunner’s traditional approach to heavy metal is tried and tested, and is pulled off effectively. Of course, the weak spot in most bands of this sort is the singer, but as alluded to above, this is not an issue here as Tailgunner have a very talented vocalist. The rest of the band don’t let the side down though, and all aspects of these ten songs are rendered in true three-dimensional glorious heavy metal.
Honestly, there’s nothing to dislike here. Exactly the opposite, in fact, as Guns for Hire has many strengths, many hooks, many killer choruses; it’s just a damn fine metal album. Don’t miss out.
Highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 