ELEGANT WEAPONS

It was always more than just another side project, albeit one conceived by a significant figure from the metal world. Richie Faulkner is still best known as guitarist with the almighty JUDAS PRIEST, but ELEGANT WEAPONS increasingly look like a major part of his legacy. There was arguably not quite enough noise made about the band's first album, 2023's "Horns for a Halo", or the fact that their original lineup featured PANTERA bassist Rex Brown and PRIEST's ageless drumming wizard Scott Travis. Since the debut's release, that lineup has changed, with bass and drums now performed by URIAH HEEP's Dave Rimmer and ACCEPT's Christopher Williams respectively, and the music on the aptly named "Evolution" reflects that personnel shuffle, as Faulkner's songwriting has taken a more deliberate turn into hard rock, blues and AOR spheres. The always great RONNIE ROMERO remains the man behind the mic and is the perfect foil for the guitarist's strident and bombastic tunes, which are now much more clearly delineated as distinct from the out-and-out classic metal of Faulkner's day job. "Evolution" is most easily defined as a looser and more soulful take on hard rock and heavy metal, with songs that bring the best out of Romero's astonishing voice, while also showcasing the other three members' slick professionalism, versatility and unquestionable virtuoso skills. Much more so than first time around, this incarnation of ELEGANT WEAPONS is a weighty and highly credible proposition.

As the last three JUDAS PRIEST albums proved, Richie Faulkner knows his way around a riff. "Evolution" begins with a great one: "Evil Eyes" is a ballsy, shuffling monster of an opening gambit, with a magnificent first riff that neatly encapsulates the guitarist's effortlessly cool and fluid playing. Romero is on equally great form, and delivers a snappy vocal, full of attitude and earthy charm. ELEGANT WEAPONS are a tight and powerful ensemble, and this is representative of the quartet at their heaviest. As ever, Faulkner's solos are fantastic, and the whole thing swings and struts with an abundance of class. "Generation Me" switches to a more lugubrious groove, and leans more heavily into shiny, radio-friendly metal with an old-school undertow. Again, the riffs are flawless, and the whole band seem to be having a brilliant time slamming the song's multiple hooks into every passing ear. A palpable sense of joy permeates every note. This is hard rock with brains, balls and personality.

Over the nine tracks that follow, ELEGANT WEAPONS maintain their meticulous approach, injecting every song with memorable melodies and upgraded traditional tropes. Significantly, the finest moments outstrip anything from "Horns With A Halo". "Bridges Burn" is a flamboyant showstopper, with deft changes of tempo and texture, and a typically heroic vocal from Romero. "Holy Roller" is a rugged slice of atmospheric blues rock, with welcome shades of classic WHITESNAKE underpinned by brutish metal power. A restless synth intro gives "The Devil Calls" a gently futuristic feel, before Faulkner reaches into his bag of timeless '80s metal riffing and pulls out a handful of absolute gems, much to the delight of Romero, whose Dio-like rasp elevates the song to freshly minted classic status. Another crunch-heavy highlight, "Shooting Shadows" is gloriously uplifting, drenched in rippling organ tones, and deceptively gnarly, with a knotty main riff that contrasts smartly with the stylish sheen of the verses and choruses. Best of all, the closing "Keeper Of The Keys" is a gorgeous, slowly unfolding power ballad, built from fiery blues, more gorgeous organ work and another passionate, poetic vocal from Romero, replete with immaculate harmonies. Neither overtly nostalgic nor self-consciously modern, it's a lavish finale and a glowing advertisement for ELEGANT WEAPONS' laidback but powerful sound.

Even if this was a throwaway side-project, it would deserve vastly more attention than it will likely receive. For fans of eminently classy and melodic rock and metal, "Evolution" is nothing short of essential. Right now, Richie Faulkner can do no wrong.