Tailgunner – Bannermans – Edinburgh – 15th October 2024
16th October 2024Although this show was a late addition to my gig calendar it was an absolute joy not just to be back in the capital and at my favorite live venue, but also to witness NWOBHM flag-waving band Tailgunner. A band that won’t let traditional heavy metal die.
Not only are they musically bang on point with the dual guitar solos, and soaring melodic vocals, but Tailgunner is a band that fully embraces good old heavy metal as it should sound. When Iron Maiden finally decides to call it a day, Tailgunner is the obvious choice to carry that torch.The dual guitars of Rhea and Zach are a force of nature, their guitar dual of Hall Of The Mountain King lead neatly into an incendiary version of the Priest classic Painkiller. If there was any doubt about how good of a vocalist Craig Cairns is, this cover version laid it to rest. Holy shit he went for it and did the track proud. Drummer Sam Caldwell nailed Scott Travis’ drum parts and the gallop of the bass from Thomas was as if he was channeling Cliff Burton.
The energy level of Tailgunner was like watching a bunch of Tasmanian Devils after they had consumed massive amounts of cocaine and caffeine.
The only ‘calm’ moment of their set was the encore of the Dio classic ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’ and even that was high energy.
The set tonight comprised every track from the debut album Guns For Hire as the album is an absolute belter. Not only is the album a great slice of traditional British Heavy Metal but live, it’s like being transported back to the 1980’s when NWOBHM was king.
Tailgunner were great fun.
If they happen to be appearing in your neighborhood and you fancy finding out what Heavy Metal was like in its heyday, go and see them. I’d go againRoll on album 2 and another tour cycle.
