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TAILGUNNER
Crashdive EP

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 6.5/10

After a trio of solid singles, English metalheads Tailgunner throws together an EP which basically features the three singles and a track called ‘Crashdive’, which is also the title of this outing.

There seems to be a bit of a stir around these guys, but for me I’m still on the fence due to the rather irritating early Iron Maiden semblances. It’s not a bad thing, but I feel that Tailgunner (I guess the clue was in the band name) needs to find its own identity – even the cover art reeks of Megadeth’s Vic Rattlehead.

That’s not to say this isn’t solid metal, but throughout the four tracks there is a derivative gleam with the band sort of going through the motions like some old 80s metal band still flogging a dead horse.

Sure, ‘Shadows Of War’ is anthemic, there’s a meatiness to the vocals, the axe work is nimble and fiery, and, hey, the bass and percussion sound fresh. Meanwhile, ‘Guns For Hire’ speeds nicely, ‘Revolution Scream’ is just too “new” sounding for my liking, and the title track features some nice riffage, lead work and melody. Yet, damn, there were hundreds of bands like this in the 80s that couldn’t make the limelight, and yet who knew it, decades later the mimicry of such acts is suffocating. However, I’ve no doubt these guys will garner a following, particularly in Britain because this is how the scene works – people jumping on bandwagons, and more so if they are relatively new to the scene.

Tailgunner sort of operate in a field that runs from early Iron Maiden to, say Metal Church. If they can construct tracks like ‘Crashdive’ more often then I can see myself along for the ride, but the cheesy flag-waving anthems have been done countless times before.

I understand that young bands – particularly those that weren’t around in the 80s – love to pay homage, but among the piles of beer cans, denim jackets and devil horns there’s still space to inject your own character. Naysayers to my words will say “but it’s still good metal”, “support the scene” etc., and I’m all for that, but in a world of disposable heroes it’s all too easy to be relegated to pub band status and I just don’t want these guys to be just another watered down imitation. I’ll pass full judgement when the album emerges.

Neil Arnold

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