MMROC Blog Post — March 14, 2026
Elegant Weapons Release New Single “Bridges Burn” Ahead Of Upcoming Album Evolution
Elegant Weapons have released their new single “Bridges Burn,” offering the first glimpse of the band’s upcoming sophomore album Evolution, scheduled for release April 24, 2026 via Exciter Records. The project, led by Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, continues to build momentum with a lineup of accomplished musicians and a sound rooted in classic heavy metal power with modern production.
The album will be released digitally and on CD on April 24, with a special edition vinyl pressing expected later in the year. “Bridges Burn” is available now on major streaming platforms and serves as the lead single from the forthcoming record.
Elegant Weapons features a formidable lineup that includes Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG), bassist Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heep), and drummer Christopher Williams (Accept). The album was co-produced by Faulkner alongside Andy Sneap, Judas Priest’s touring guitarist and producer of the band’s recent album Invincible Shield. Recording sessions for Evolution took place across Nashville, Europe, and France, reflecting the international pedigree of the group.
Faulkner says the new album captures the band’s growth since forming. “This record represents growth in every sense,” Faulkner said. “When the four of us come together, we sound like Elegant Weapons. We’ve spent time on the road, we’ve developed a chemistry, and you can hear that evolution in the performances. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and I’m excited to begin this next chapter with Exciter Records.”
The signing with Exciter Records also represents a notable step for the label as it expands its presence in contemporary metal. Through its publishing affiliate Reach Music, the company recently acquired Judas Priest’s landmark early albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny, making the partnership with Faulkner and Elegant Weapons a natural extension of that legacy.
Alongside the lead single “Bridges Burn,” the album includes tracks such as the opener “Evil Eyes,” the groove-driven “Generation Me,” and the instrumental “Rupture,” an emotionally charged composition inspired in part by Faulkner’s life-threatening onstage medical emergency in 2021. With Evolution, Elegant Weapons continue to establish themselves as a band driven not only by pedigree but by forward momentum.
The lead single “Bridges Burn” is available now on all streaming platforms:
https://exciter-records.ffm.to/elegantweapons-bridgesburn
Pre-save and pre-order the album Evolution here:
https://exciter-records.ffm.to/elegantweapons-evolution
Album Track Listing
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
Metal Mayhem ROC features interviews with artists from across the hard rock and heavy metal world. Artists and publicists interested in interviews and coverage can contact the show at:https://metalmayhemroc.com/
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