Airforce, a Traditional Metal band, was formed in the North East of London in 1986, when Steve Harris from Iron Maiden introduced his former drummer Doug Sampson to guitarist Chop Pitman. Tony Hatton, an ex-bandmate of Chop, joined forces on bass soon after. Airforce gigged together for over 10 years with various vocalists, including Sam Sampson and Rolf Prommel.
After disbanding in 1997, Airforce took to the stage once again in 2008 with Chop Pitman being the only original member involved. The band underwent a number of line-up changes over the next 8 years until 2016, when the retro-spective album "Judgement Day" was released. This album marked the return of the original Airforce line- up of Chop Pitman, Doug Sampson and Tony Hatton, with new recruit Dilian Arnaudov on vocals.

With line-up complete, Airforce released several EPs, including songs with guest appearances from former Iron Maiden vocalists Paul Di’Anno and Paul Mario Day. Their most memorable live performances include North American tours which won loyalty of new fans, as well as the appearance on Hills of Rock festival in Bulgaria, where they played on the same bill as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.

In March 2019 the band’s show in Poland was broadcast live on the internet and later released as the live album. This show marked the debut of Portuguese singer Flavio Lino, who joined Airforce later that year as the permanent vocalist. The new album Strike Hard with Lino on vocals was recorded and released in 2020.

The latest album from Airforce showcases the band's ability to evolve their sound while staying true to the signature style that has defined them for years. Created during challenging times, the album represents a bold step forward for the band, blending their hard rock and heavy metal influences into a powerful collection of tracks. With 11 songs and nearly an hour of material, the album delivers the epic, arena-worthy sound that fans have come to expect from Airforce. Despite the adversity they faced, including the global pandemic and the tragic loss of their producer and close friend Pete Franklin, the band forged ahead with unwavering determination. The project took a poignant turn after Franklin's passing, as the band lost many of the original recordings. Fortunately, longtime collaborator Jezz Coad stepped in to help bring the album to completion. Coad, who originally worked with Airforce in the 1980s, was instrumental in shaping the final product. This album stands as a tribute to Franklin, whose influence is felt throughout the tracks. Recorded initially at his studio in 2020, the production was delayed due to the pandemic, resulting in the loss of much of the material. However, the band’s resilience ensured the album was finished, with demos salvaged from previous sessions. The result is an album that feels deeply personal to the band, encapsulating both their struggles and triumphs. Fans of Airforce can expect a powerful, emotionally charged listening experience, with the grandeur of heavy metal that’s perfect for large arenas. A recent performance at the Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, reaffirmed the band's place in the metal scene, as fans responded enthusiastically to both classic hits and new material from the album. Dedicated to Pete Franklin, this album captures the heart and soul of Airforce’s journey, ensuring his legacy will live on through their music.

Foto e logo band tratti da Metal Archives