In a candid conversation with Charlie Kendall’s Metalshop, Richie Faulkner, the dynamic guitarist for the iconic heavy metal band JUDAS PRIEST, offered an in-depth look into his ambitious side project, ELEGANT WEAPONS. The project is poised to release its highly anticipated sophomore album, "Evolution," on April 24, 2026, through Exciter Records. Faulkner, known for his electrifying stage presence and contributions to JUDAS PRIEST’s recent acclaimed albums, shed light on the sonic palette of ELEGANT WEAPONS and its distinct identity, particularly in relation to his primary band.
Faulkner revisited his previous description of ELEGANT WEAPONS as a fusion of "Jimi Hendrix, PRIEST, [BLACK] SABBATH, solo Ozzy [Osbourne] and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY." He elaborated on the significant influence of guitar legends Jimi Hendrix and BLACK SABBATH on his musical DNA. "I’m not alone in saying that I’ve been influenced by Hendrix and SABBATH in a big way," Faulkner stated. "But there’s a lot of people out there that aren’t guitar players that are influenced by Hendrix, and a lot of guitar players that are, obviously. I’m one of them. And I think ELEGANT WEAPONS’ music is a little bit more tuned into Hendrix’s style than PRIEST is. It’s got a few more obvious Hendrix links to it. So I’m fortunate that I can explore those avenues outside of PRIEST in ELEGANT WEAPONS. I get a free rein to go and do some other stuff and explore that part of my DNA as well." This distinction highlights Faulkner’s deliberate effort to carve out a unique sonic space for ELEGANT WEAPONS, allowing him to delve into musical territories that might not be as prominent within the established framework of JUDAS PRIEST.
A Formidable Lineup and the "Supergroup" Designation
ELEGANT WEAPONS boasts a formidable constellation of talent, solidifying its status as a significant force in the modern metal scene. The lineup features Faulkner on guitar, the powerful vocals of Ronnie Romero (known for his work with RAINBOW and MSG), the solid bass foundation provided by Dave Rimmer (URIAH HEEP), and the rhythmic precision of drummer Christopher Williams (ACCEPT). When questioned about the "supergroup" label that has been applied to the band’s impressive roster, Faulkner expressed a sense of gratitude rather than any perceived burden.
"I think it’s lucky, really, that anyone’s referring to us with any kind of name," he remarked. "We’re fortunate that we’re playing music and people are listening and calling it anything. I’ll take supergroup. I’ll take whatever people wanna call it. If people are listening and giving us the time of day, and if people wanna call it a supergroup, then so be it." This humble perspective underscores Faulkner’s focus on the music and the appreciation for the audience’s engagement, regardless of the specific terminology used.
Beyond a One-Off: The Long-Term Vision for Elegant Weapons
Dispelling any notion that ELEGANT WEAPONS is a fleeting project, Faulkner emphasized the band’s commitment to a sustained artistic journey. "The first record, I put the album together and got the band together, and it was never intended to be a one-off," he explained. "It was meant to be the start of a journey, so to speak. There was meant to be more albums, some tours, live playing. I wanted to start a band like PRIEST that starts from nothing and grows into something and hopefully continues into the future. We are on the second record now, so it’s not a one-and-done deal. We’re on our way now, and this one is an evolution in many senses of the word of the band and of the music that we create."
The practicalities of managing multiple high-profile musical commitments are acknowledged by Faulkner. "Obviously, PRIEST is the mothership – that’s the behemoth that we’ve gotta work around," he stated, referencing the primary commitment to JUDAS PRIEST. "And the other guys are in their respective bands as well. Dave’s in URIAH HEEP, Christopher’s in ACCEPT, and Ronnie’s doing a lot of things as well. So we’ve gotta plan it around other bands, and that’s just the nature of the beast." This strategic scheduling is crucial for maintaining the momentum of ELEGANT WEAPONS while respecting the existing commitments of its members. The band operates within carefully identified "windows of opportunity" for recording and releasing new material, a testament to their dedication. "We’ve got a window of opportunity now to release the record. I’m always looking for opportunities to write stuff and record stuff, and that’s just the nature of it. We’ve done another record, and we’re lucky enough to put it out. And then we’ve got a PRIEST tour later on in the year. That’s just the way it is, man. And we are lucky to be that busy at the moment." This acknowledgment of their busy schedules highlights the passion and drive behind all their musical endeavors.
The Collaborative Synergy with Ronnie Romero
A significant aspect of ELEGANT WEAPONS’ evolution lies in the enhanced collaboration with vocalist Ronnie Romero. Faulkner lauded Romero’s exceptional abilities, detailing the refined production process for the upcoming album. "He’s amazing," Faulkner asserted. "I say this a lot: Ronnie’s a great singer. There’s great singers in the world, but Ronnie’s not just a great singer. He’s a performer. He’s a frontman. He’s great in the studio. He’s professional, and he’s a joy to work with."
The production approach for "Evolution" marked a departure from the debut. "We produced him a bit more on this record," Faulkner explained. "The first record he sung, we had the vocals there already and he just sang them, and it was a quick process. On this one, our producer, Andy Sneap, wanted to produce him a lot more. We had the vocal ideas and we started from the ground up. We were on a three-way Zoom like this, and Ronnie was in the studio in Europe, and we produced him from start to finish – different mics, different techniques, different words, change this, different melodies, different backing vocals. Let’s make this more Ronnie Romero and technically better produced, better recorded and better performances for the best result that we could get. And I think it was a really good thing we did that. It is more Ronnie Romero than the first record. He’s amazing. I can’t say enough about him."
This detailed account of the vocal production process emphasizes a commitment to drawing out Romero’s full potential and imprinting his unique personality onto the music. It signifies a more integrated and collaborative creative workflow, which is often a hallmark of bands aiming for deeper artistic expression.
"Evolution": A Global Effort and Label Synergy
"Evolution" is set to be released digitally and on CD on April 24, 2026, with a special edition vinyl pressing to follow later in the year. The album’s creation was a truly international undertaking, with recording sessions spanning Nashville, Europe, and France, reflecting the global reach and diverse backgrounds of the band members. The co-production of the album by Faulkner and Andy Sneap, a renowned producer and JUDAS PRIEST’s touring guitarist, underscores the project’s high production values and pedigree. Sneap’s extensive experience with bands like JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT, EXODUS, and MEGADETH provides a strong foundation for the album’s sonic direction.
The release of "Evolution" through Exciter Records carries additional significance. The label, along with its publishing affiliate Reach Music, recently acquired JUDAS PRIEST’s seminal early albums, "Rocka Rolla" and "Sad Wings Of Destiny." This strategic alignment suggests a natural continuation of a rich legacy, bridging the foundational eras of heavy metal with contemporary artists like ELEGANT WEAPONS. This partnership could foster a deeper connection between the historical trajectory of heavy metal and its ongoing evolution, potentially impacting how these classic recordings are presented and promoted in the future.
The Lead Single and Tracklist Unveiled
The first sonic glimpse of "Evolution" comes with the release of the lead single, "Bridges Burn," which is now available on all major streaming platforms. A lyric video for the track has also been made available, offering fans an immediate connection to the new material.
The complete track listing for "Evolution" has been revealed, showcasing eleven new songs:
- Evil Eyes
- Generation Me
- Bridges Burn
- Holy Roller
- Come Back To Me
- The Devil Calls
- Thrown To The Wolves
- Shooting Shadows
- Rupture
- Mercy Of The Fallen
- Keeper Of The Keys
This curated list suggests a thematic and sonic journey through the album, with titles hinting at a range of lyrical explorations and musical intensities.
Prior Statements Reinforce the Band’s Artistic Growth
Ronnie Romero has previously spoken enthusiastically about the progress made on "Evolution." In an October interview with Tim Caple of Rock ‘N’ Blues Experience, Romero stated, "I think it’s gonna be fantastic. Also, I feel like it’s really a step forward from the first one, because when I recorded the first album, the album actually was already recorded by another singer. So what I did, it was just going to the studio and trying to fit my vocals on what it was already done. And it took me two or three days doing that recording. But this time we took the time, going to the studio, being all together with Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap and just working on the songs: ‘This kind of lyrics works.’ ‘This doesn’t work.’ ‘We need to change the vocal line.’ ‘We need to change the key.’ ‘We need to change this.’ ‘We need to add some backing vocals here.’ And we spent a lot of time together, so this is more ELEGANT WEAPONS than the first one."
His earlier comments to J.J. Caithcart of Different Stages Radio in May 2025 further underscored this sentiment. "When I joined the band, the [first] album was recorded already. They had a different singer, so the songs were there. I just needed to listen to the songs and the previous singer and then try to record on my own way, but [there was] still a lack of personality of my voice in that way. But this time we were working together with Andy Sneap and with Richie Faulkner, the three of us, working on the lyrics, working on the vocal lines, working on the harmonies, working all together. We spent a lot of time in the studio together doing all this work, the vocal production."
Regarding the musical direction, Romero elaborated in the same interview, "It is an evolution of the band. We have this stable lineup with Christopher Williams from ACCEPT and Dave Rimmer from URIAH HEEP. So, it is more ELEGANT WEAPONS than the first one, I would say. The songs are great. There is a few great songs that – I was talking with Richie yesterday and I said, ‘Every day I like a different one.’ It’s, like, today I like this one very much, and then I listen to the album again and now I like this other one because it’s a different thing. But, yeah, I think it’s a great album. And it’s gonna sound like an evolution of the band, for sure." These consistent affirmations from Romero highlight the band’s collective focus on artistic development and a more integrated creative process for "Evolution."
A Band Built for the Long Haul
Faulkner’s commitment to ELEGANT WEAPONS as a lasting entity has been a consistent theme since its inception. In October 2024, he told Clint Switzer of On The Road To Rock, "Ronnie’s fantastic. Again, he’s one of those guys, he’s not only a singer, he’s a frontman. He fronts the band. There’s a lot of people I know, they’ve got great voices, but it takes a frontman or frontwoman, front person to do that job. So Ronnie’s definitely got that."
Recalling ELEGANT WEAPONS’ initial live performances, Faulkner mentioned, "We did some dates [in 2023] in Europe, which was fantastic. We did some dates with PANTERA, which was nuts. You can imagine opening up for them." These high-profile opening slots provided invaluable exposure and demonstrated the band’s ability to command large audiences.
Faulkner reiterated his long-term vision: "We did some dates [in 2023] in Europe, which was fantastic. We did some dates with PANTERA, which was nuts. You can imagine opening up for them." He further clarified, "That’s what it was about, really. It wasn’t about the one record recorded during COVID; it was about a band that goes on. We’ve all got our different things, obviously – PRIEST, ACCEPT, Ronnie’s got his stuff – but we wanted it to be a proper band with multiple records doing live dates, which we’ve done. But it’s just, obviously, when PRIEST are out, ACCEPT are out, URIAH HEEP are out at the moment as well, when we find a window in between for that, then we’ll look at releasing the second record. So, that’s an exciting thing to think about, too." This strategic approach to balancing multiple commitments is essential for the sustainability of a project featuring musicians with such demanding primary roles.
Future Prospects and the Legacy of Elegant Weapons
In 2023, Faulkner shared with Jorge Botas of Portugal’s Metal Global his plans to focus on ELEGANT WEAPONS full-time once JUDAS PRIEST concludes its touring and recording activities. "PRIEST music is gonna be around a lot longer than we are," he reflected. "It’s legendary music. They’re genre-defining musicians and it’s a genre-defining band. It will be around for a long time. But none of us gets out of this alive. That’s just the reality of it. So if one day that call comes in and that’s the last tour or the last album, whatever it is… I mean, I joined the band on what was the farewell tour. Luckily it wasn’t, and we’re still here 12 years later. [It’s] fantastic. But at the time, I think I would have been silly not to consider what I was gonna do after the band, because of the circumstances of the tour. It was a farewell tour – it was [supposed to be] the last tour – so what am I gonna do after? So it’s always been in the back of my mind. And this is a band that seems natural to me to continue with if that call ever came in." This foresight demonstrates a pragmatic approach to a long-term career in music and a clear intention to nurture ELEGANT WEAPONS as a significant musical outlet.
ELEGANT WEAPONS made its live debut in June 2023 with two impactful festival appearances: Hellfest in Clisson, France, and Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium. These performances served as a powerful introduction to the band’s live capabilities and their blend of classic and modern heavy metal.
The band’s debut album, "Horns For A Halo," was released in May 2023 via Nuclear Blast. The LP featured contributions from Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN) on bass and Scott Travis (JUDAS PRIEST) on drums, with production duties handled by the acclaimed Andy Sneap. This initial release laid the groundwork for the band’s sonic identity and garnered significant attention from the metal community. ELEGANT WEAPONS subsequently embarked on a European tour through July 2023, which included performances with PANTERA, additional festival appearances, and headlining shows, further solidifying their presence on the live circuit. The evolution of the band from its initial recording and live performances to the forthcoming "Evolution" album signifies a growing maturity and a clear trajectory for this formidable musical collective.