Review ELEGANT WEAPONS “Evolution”

Elegant Weapons is the brainchild of Richie Faulkner, guitarist of Judas Priest. He teamed up with Ronnie Romero, Dave Rimmer and Christopher Williams to record the band’s second album. The sophomore release is called “Evolution”, and the album showcases an evolution. In fact, it is more of a significant development. The debut, “Horns for a Halo”, was a stunning release, and “Evolution” raises the bar again.

There are several factors that make “Evolution” a great release. Firstly, there is the powerful production, with Faulkner and Andy Sneap co-producing the album. The combination of Faulkner and Romero also gives this release a special feel. It’s as if the guys have really found each other, providing the album with an inspiring blend of hard rock and metal.
The metallic, shining opener, “Evil Eyes” features Faulkner’s powerful guitar playing at the forefront. With some Priest-esque riffs at the beginning, the song immediately shows its passion for metal.

If you then listen to “Bridges Burn” you get a solid hard rock vibe, while the slower “Holy Roller” has a bluesy touch. All the songs have a great sense for hooks and melodies in common. Each of these eleven musical treats blossoms immediately, which also applies to “Come Back to Me”.

I’m usually not the biggest fan of ballads, but Elegant Weapons offer a soulful and touching moment that adds to the flow of the album. The rock influences are present again, with Romero delivering a great vocal performance.

The keyboard introduces “The Devil Calls”, before Faulkner’s thunderous guitar takes over. With “Thrown to the Wolves”, traditional hard rock is back. This slowly pounding anthem has a eerie vibe, showcasing a darker side of Elegant Weapons. All of these songs exemplify the versatility that comes with “Evolution”, and this approach continues throughout the second half of the tracklist. The heartbeat-driven start of “Rupture”, an instrumental with gently singing guitars, adds another layer to Elegant Weapons, incorporating many influences and twists to create an album with a natural flow. The only thing missing so far is the sound of a Hammond organ. But wait! Enter the classic rock-infused “Keeper of the Keys”, which pays homage to bands like Deep Purple.

Elegant Weapons have delivered a stunning second album. This release is exciting from start to finish. Great musicians unleash their musical vision and creative talent, resulting in a multifaceted album. “Evolution” is an ode to hard rock, with the metallic riffs adding an extra dimension of heaviness to the mix. “Evolution” is a treat for the ears and a milestone in 2026 releases.