Cryptic #26 - by Symptomatic

NB: this crossword has a rank, indicated by four pairs of words. What is this rank?

Across 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 Change to suit (6)

4 One who observes 9 10
the dark side of the
queen? (8) 11

9 Charlie's current 12 13
successor? (5)
10 Rebounds botched
slice with no 14 15
substance after
initial brilliant 16 17
return (8)
18
12 Comparatively
luscious teacher's 19
assistant's on the
level (7) 20 21 22 23

13 Study one calm

resident (7)
24 25
14 Minced tuna found
inside Peruvian
goat spread? (6,6)
26 27
18 Yes - give back to
Twain his
fermented drink
(5,7)
27 How you know to 7 How to dance in 19 Stated important
20 Try an ancient start getting help three easy steps? characteristic of
salute before for invaders (6) (5) seals (6)
patriarch finally
goes to the front 8 Tear around 21 Potential
(4,1,2) Down Sweden in anger measurement units?
(6) (5)
22 Artwork of 1 Build unsheltered
regularly-ignored abode for unknown 11 Trial-goers 23 "Super Number" -
hornbill, reflecting group (4,4) misquoted the has first prime
on form (7) Bosnia Report (12) factor replaced with
2 Nat King's
another number (5)
24 Mix of Close Cover trimming grass for 15 A major change to
amongst beats (8) salad (8) university's surface,
including His
25 Refuse foreign 3 Heat is here,
Excellency (9)
investment leads - Iglesias' first to face
local trade's - batter up! (5) 16 Instruments played
beginning to get hot in orchestras with a
5 A natural way to
(5) plectrum, heard
pass on? (12)
alone and rising (8)
26 Survive fumes of 6 Slows down
phosphorus in the 17 Grabs small parts
vessels? (9)
end (4,4) (8)

Symptomatic