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Song

Do Or Die

Artist

Elegant Weapons

Elegant Weapons backstory

The trad metal brainchild of Judas Priest riffmeister Richie Faulkner looks set to soar.

And debut Horns For A Halo is one of the most hotly anticipated releases of 2023.

Faulkner has pulled together a who’s who of heavy rock royalty to lay the foundation for a truly thunderous newcomer.

And after dropping lead single Blind Leading The Blind earlier this year, it’s all hands to the metal pump on furious follow-up Do Or Die.

Flanked by do-it-all voice for hire Ronnie Romero (Rainbow/MSG), Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heep) and Christopher Williams (Accept), Faulkner has found his true calling.

And this summer’s run of shows supporting Pantera can’t come soon enough for the growing army of Weapons acolytes.

Formed in October 2022, Nuclear Blast’s bright new hope recorded Horns For A Halo with bassist Rex Brown (Pantera) and Faulkner’s Priest band mate Scott Travis.

But Rimmer and Williams will step in for Elegant Weapons’ live debut starting in June.

In guitarist Richie Faulkner’s own words

“Do Or Die is a rip roaring track about taking the opportunity and giving it your all.

“Take the shot, play the game and do it to the best of your ability.

“It’s the fastest track on the record and is a blast to play!”

The verdict on Do Or Die

Guess what? The fret melting guitar work is on a different level.

Richie Faulkner’s weapon of choice is his trusty Epiphone Flying V and he’s more ‘ell for leather than elegant on the punishing Do Or Die.

A blazing intro and scorching solo prove the Priest man is in the form of his life.

But he’s backed by a vocalist at the very top of his game.

Just how Ronnie Romero has found time to front yet another band is beyond us.

At the last count he was listed as the current singer for no fewer than six bands — including MSG and Rainbow.

But for now let’s enjoy one of his best performances yet as the supercharged Chilean roars his way through a trad metal classic.

Everything about Do Or Die is rooted in the storied NWOBHM scene.

But unlike then, Andy Sneap is on hand to add his pin-sharp production to the mix.

Elegant Weapons fuse metal’s glorious past with its limitless future on the dynamic Do Or Die.

It’s an anthem for the ages.

What’s next for Elegant Weapons

Debut album Horns For A Halo drops on May 26.

The band supports Pantera across Europe starting in the Czech Republic on June 12.

And Elegant Weapons play Steelhouse Festival in Ebbw Vale on July 30.