Mastodawn

🤘Continuing our review of JUDAS PRIEST's entire discography with the oft underappreciated DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH! 🤘

#judaspriest #defendersofthefaith #classicmetal #heavymetal #robhalford #kkdowning #glenntipton #ianhill #metalpodcast #metal

🤘 The Metal Dog 🤘Mar 5

#NowPlaying #TheMetalDogIsNowPlaying
#JudasPriest
Firepower
Children of the Sun

🎸 Live Stream:
https://nowplaying.themetaldog.net/

YouTube Search:
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=Judas%20Priest+Firepower+Children%20of%20the%20Sun

LastFM:
https://www.last.fm/music/Judas+Priest/_/Children+of+the+Sun

Lyrics:
https://genius.com/Judas-priest-children-of-the-sun-lyrics

Listen on major platforms:
https://song.link/s/6rCp71jUgFxbGNsBqjLZpr

#JudasPriest #RobHalford #KKDowning #GlennTipton #IanHill #ScottTravis #HeavyMetal #SpeedMetal #ModernMetal #Metal2010s #BritishMetal

🤘 The Metal Dog 🤘Mar 3

#NowPlaying #TheMetalDogIsNowPlaying
#JudasPriest
Angel of Retribution
Hellrider

🎸 Live Stream:
https://nowplaying.themetaldog.net/

YouTube Search:
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=Judas%20Priest+Angel%20of%20Retribution+Hellrider

LastFM:
https://www.last.fm/music/Judas+Priest/_/Hellrider

Lyrics:
https://genius.com/Judas-priest-hellrider-lyrics

Listen on major platforms:
https://song.link/s/1lT80058ozaFMiXsvC8qYl

#JudasPriest #RobHalford #TimOwens #KkDowning #IanHill #ScottTravis #HeavyMetal #PowerMetal #Metal2000s #BirminghamMetal #NWOBHM

🤘 The Metal Dog 🤘Feb 24

#NowPlaying #TheMetalDogIsNowPlaying
#JudasPriest
Legends Of Metal - A Tribute To Judas Priest Vol 1
Mercyful Fate - The Ripper

🎸 Live Stream:
https://nowplaying.themetaldog.net/

YouTube Search:
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=Judas%20Priest+Legends%20Of%20Metal%20-%20A%20Tribute%20To%20Judas%20Priest%20Vol%201+Mercyful%20Fate%20-%20The%20Ripper

LastFM:
https://www.last.fm/music/Judas+Priest/_/Mercyful+Fate+-+The+Ripper

#JudasPriest #RobHalford #KKDowning #IanHill #ScottTravis #HeavyMetal #SpeedMetal #GlamMetal #Metal80s #BritishHeavyMetal #Metal2000s

🤘 The Metal Dog 🤘Feb 13

#NowPlaying #TheMetalDogIsNowPlaying
#JudasPriest
Legends Of Metal - A Tribute To Judas Priest Vol 1
Saxon - You've Got Another Thi

🎸 Live Stream:
https://nowplaying.themetaldog.net/

YouTube Search:
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=Judas%20Priest+Legends%20Of%20Metal%20-%20A%20Tribute%20To%20Judas%20Priest%20Vol%201+Saxon%20-%20You%27ve%20Got%20Another%20Thi

LastFM:
https://www.last.fm/music/Judas+Priest/_/Saxon+-+You%27ve+Got+Another+Thi

#JudasPriest #RobHalford #KKDowning #GlennTipton #IanHill #ScottTravis #HeavyMetal #NWOBHM #Metal80s #Metal90s

🤘 The Metal Dog 🤘Feb 10

#NowPlaying #TheMetalDogIsNowPlaying
#JudasPriest
Painkiller
Hell Patrol

🎸 Live Stream:
https://nowplaying.themetaldog.net/

YouTube Search:
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=Judas%20Priest+Painkiller+Hell%20Patrol

LastFM:
https://www.last.fm/music/Judas+Priest/_/Hell+Patrol

Lyrics:
https://genius.com/Judas-priest-hell-patrol-lyrics

Listen on major platforms:
https://song.link/s/6QKplS12OIhLVzbfCOLesv

#JudasPriest #RobHalford #KKDowning #GlennTipton #IanHill #ScottTravis #HeavyMetal #ThrashMetal #Metal90s #BritishHeavyMetal #NWOBHM

🤘 The Metal Dog 🤘Feb 9

#NowPlaying #TheMetalDogIsNowPlaying
#JudasPriest
Defenders of the Faith
Some Heads Are Gonna Roll

🎸 Live Stream:
https://nowplaying.themetaldog.net/

YouTube Search:
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=Judas%20Priest+Defenders%20of%20the%20Faith+Some%20Heads%20Are%20Gonna%20Roll

LastFM:
https://www.last.fm/music/Judas+Priest/_/Some+Heads+Are+Gonna+Roll

Lyrics:
https://genius.com/Judas-priest-some-heads-are-gonna-roll-lyrics

Listen on major platforms:
https://song.link/s/4vWdaYRTWwZSmFPv9MffcS

#JudasPriest #RobHalford #KKDowning #IanHill #JohnHinch #HeavyMetal #PowerMetal #ThrashMetal #Metal70s #BritishMetal #NWOBHM

The Nwothm Feb 7

TAILGUNNER Unveil New Single “War In Heaven” Featuring Grammy Winner Adam Wakeman New Album Midnight Blitz out now!

The Nwothm 3–5 minutes

British heavy metal torchbearers Tailgunner have unveiled their new single “War In Heaven”, accompanied by an official music video available to watch now. The track arrives alongside the release of their brand‑new album Midnight Blitz, produced by metal legend K.K. Downing and out today through Napalm Records.

K.K. Downing praised the band, stating: “TAILGUNNER personify everything that is heavy metal.”

“War In Heaven” showcases a different side of the band, delivering a powerful, emotive ballad enriched by a guest appearance from Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple), who recently won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance. Wakeman’s synth work adds a sweeping, atmospheric depth that blends classic 80s metal influences with the band’s modern edge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np25HG13BCg

TAILGUNNER said of the single: “When the legendary K.K. Downing challenges you to write a ballad, you don’t let him down. 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.”

AILGUNNER’s second album, Midnight Blitz, marks a bold step forward for the fast‑rising British outfit. Drawing deeply from the roots of classic British heavy metal while pushing their sound into new territory, the band remain committed to their founding ethos of pure, uncompromising heavy metal. Their rapid ascent has already earned the admiration of their heroes, with K.K. Downing stepping in to produce the new record after the band supported KK’s Priest on tour.

TAILGUNNER said of the album: “Like phantoms of the clouds, the Midnight Blitz screams silently through the air. Descending on their prey, a Heavy Metal militia striking at the speed of sound. Only blood can run. Whilst touring our debut album, we were described by one roadie as ‘The bastard child of Maiden & 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.”

K.K. Downing added: “TAILGUNNER is a band we should have seen emerge years ago from the UK. 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.”

Read the review here:

https://thenwothm.com/2026/02/02/review-tailgunner-midnight-blitz/

tour support for Fozzy’s “Eyes On You” tour

06.02.26 – Brighton, England – Chalk
07.02.26 – Margate, England – Dreamland
08.02.26 – Manchester, England – The Ritz
10.02.26 – Norwich, England – Epic Studios
11.02.26 – Bradford, England – Nightrain
13.02.26 – Nottingham, England – Rock City
14.02.26 – Glasgow, Scotland – TV Studios
15.02.26 – Newcastle, England – Boiler Shop
17.02.26 – Cardiff, Wales – Tramshed
18.02.26 – Torquay, England – The Foundry
19.02.26 – Southampton, England – The 1865
20.02.26 – London, England – Electric Ballroom
21.02.26 – Wolverhampton, England – KK’s Steel Mill

supporting Accept – “Half A Century Of Metal” tour

27.08.26 – Wolverhampton, England – KK’s Steel Mill
28.08.26 – London, England – Indigo at The O2

summer festivals 2026

05.06.26 – Stykkishólmur, Iceland – Sátan Festival
06.06.26 – Sölvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival
07.06.26 – Trondheim, Norway – Trondheim Rocks Festival
13.06.26 – Donington Park, UK – Download Festival
26.06.26 – Spálené Poříčí, Czech Republic – Basinfire Fest
27.06.26 – Dischingen, Germany – Rock Am Härtsfeldsee
04.07.26 – Ballenstedt, Germany – Rock Harz
18.07.26 – Maidstone, UK – Maid of Stone Festival
06.08.26 – Villena, Spain – Leyendas Del Rock
08.08.26 – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz
09.08.26 – Geiselwind, Germany – Keep It True Legions Festival
15.08.26 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – Dynamo Metal Fest
21.08.26 – Pellingen, Germany – Hells Pells Festival
05.09.26 – Coventry, UK – Hella Rock Festival (Coventry Empire)

Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tailgunnerhq

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/tailgunnerhq

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tailgunnerhq

[photo credit: Tunde Valiszka]

#AdanWakeman #BritishHeavyMetal #HeavyMetal #kkDowning #NewWaveOfTraditionalHeavyMetal #NWOTHM #Tailgunner #thenwothm #WarInHeaven

🤘 The Metal Dog 🤘Feb 6

#NowPlaying #TheMetalDogIsNowPlaying
#JudasPriest
Painkiller
Night Crawler

🎸 Live Stream:
https://nowplaying.themetaldog.net/

YouTube Search:
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=Judas%20Priest+Painkiller+Night%20Crawler

LastFM:
https://www.last.fm/music/Judas+Priest/_/Night+Crawler

Lyrics:
https://genius.com/Judas-priest-night-crawler-lyrics

Listen on major platforms:
https://song.link/s/0MU1TyyAbuoXLGiQBgW9CI

#JudasPriest #RobHalford #KKDowning #IanHill #ScottTravis #HeavyMetal #SpeedMetal #Metal80s #BirminghamMetal #UKMetal

The Nwothm Feb 2

Review: Tailgunner- Midnight Blitz

Release date: 2/6/26

Label: Napalm Records

Greg D.

The NWOTHM. The New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal. Not just the name of a website, but a musical movement, obviously. When did this movement begin? That answer is in the eye of the beholder, however, there was a moment for me that precipitated it coming back as such a force that it ultimately warranted a familiar acronym to describe it. That moment is Enforcer’s 2008 album, “Into The Night”. It just seemed like it set something off, and suddenly more & more bands of that ilk had a presence that elicited greater awareness. That was eighteen years ago.

2026. February 6th. Eighteen years after the NWOTHM, arguably, kicked off, the movement may finally have an album, and a band, destined for larger pastures. Tailgunner, England formed in 2022, have kicked up quite a storm in an alarmingly short period of time. Debuting with the EP “Crashdive”, (oddly enough, produced by Olaf Wikstrom of Enforcer) also in 2022, and following it with their first full length “Guns For Hire” in 2023. Admittedly, “Guns For Hire” didn’t garner much of a look from me. Is it good? Yes. Did it hold my attention? Not really. Enter their newest album, “Midnight Blitz”.

First of all, the promotion for this album has been unavoidable. Music/lyric videos, tours, Metallica tribute albums. They’ve been everywhere. Getting a seal of approval from a bonafide heavy metal legend (album producer, K.K. Downing) is sure to get a few extra looks their way as well. With all that in mind, and with eyes and ears open and pointed at Tailgunner, they have stepped up to the plate with an album that is, simply put, arena ready. Anyone coming here expecting blatant Judas Priest, or Iron Maiden, worship, will leave either surprised or disappointed. This album probably has more in common with Euro Power Metal than classic British heavy metal, but they definitely have more muscle than your average Euro Power Metal band.

Like ginormous choruses? If you do, you’ll be pleased to know that Tailgunner does as well. Every song has sing-a-long qualities to it, which are no doubt great in a live setting. Singer Craig Cairns’ tone is PERFECT for this kind of metal. Good range without getting screetchy, and delivered powerfully. “Tears In Rain”, & the title track, surge with all the glory and anthemic splendor that you’d want from steamrolling heavy metal. Dig burning guitars? The guitar work throughout the record is all right on the money. Check out “Barren Lands And Seas Of Red”, it swings a little riffier to let axefolk Rhea Thompson & Zach Savini stretch their legs more aggressively. Now, it’s one thing to be able to blast forth and kill, but the song “War In Heaven” is where Tailgunner really backs up their bark and shows they’re not fucking around. Subduded, Savatage level dramatic, & epic, this song should probably be the next single as it reveals the band’s ability to downshift seemlessly.

“Eulogy”. This song is a helluva way to end an album. Storming, speedy, and y’know how we were talking about choruses earlier? This is the biggest and best one yet. The kind of thing that says, “stick around for the next album”. A great piece of post production in the sequencing putting it last, very well done. It’s hard to find any fault with this record. If I was going to imagine this kind of metal album, this is exactly what it would be. The band has delivered, & it’s hard to ask for more than that, innit?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnsTQq_8mR8&list=RDnnsTQq_8mR8&start_radio=1

Conclusion

Now, I don’t know how this works with other styles of music, but in hard rock/heavy metal there seems to be a time honored tradition of baton passing. I have a tendency to say: “If you want to know what the future is going to sound like, pay attention to who’s riding in on the backs of the present.” Van Halen with Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden with Kiss, Metallica with Ozzy Osbourne, and a handful of others, are all examples of this. Now, with this second album from Tailgunner, I don’t know that the saying I mentioned applies to them in the same way it did for Van Halen, Iron Maiden, or Metallica. Tailgunner is not shaking things up, or taking the sound into another dimension. They’re simply reinforcing things that are already great. However, that aforementioned saying might apply to Tailgunner in a much simpler, and direct way.

People generally seem to want their own heroes, they don’t always want the heroes of their older siblings, parents, etc. While Tailgunner are legend approved, they have a long way to go to become legends themselves, and it’s looking like they have a lot of things lining up for them. They are young, they are talented, they appear committed, & it sure seems like they have strong backing on the business end of things. All of those things are VERY important. That said, the most important thing is if this album sucked, none of that would matter. This album does not suck. Get into it.

TheNwothm Score: 10/10

Links

Bandcamp:https://tailgunner.bandcamp.com/album/midnight-blitz

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/tailgunnerhq/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tailgunnerhq/

Label:https://napalmrecords.com/english

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNrUYShK_38&list=RDiNrUYShK_38&start_radio=1

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