RICHIE FAULKNER JUDAS PRIEST GUITARIST TALKS ...NEW GREATEST HITS PACKAGE ... NEW PRIEST STUDIO ABUM... EUROPEAN SUMMER TOUR ...AND NEW ELEGENT WEAPONS RELEASE!

 

JUDAS PRIEST RELEASES 

'THE BEST OF 

JUDAS PRIEST'

 WITH NEW STUDIO ALBUM FORTHCOMING WHILE PREPARING FOR  SUMMER EUROPEAN 

'FAITHKEEPERS' TOUR'

RICHIE FAULKNER AND ELEGANT WEAPONS RELEASE SOPHMORE STUDIO ALBUM 'EVOLUTION' 

EXCLUSIVE ZOOM INTERVIEW

WITH JUDAS PRIEST/ELEGANT WEAPONS GUITARIST

RICHIE FAULKNER

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

 W/RAY SHASHO

CLICK BELOW 

TO WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW

Richie Faulkner is an acclaimed English guitarist best known as a co-lead guitarist for the legendary heavy metal band Judas Priest. He joined the band in 2011 to replace founding member K.K. Downing. He is credited with injecting fresh energy into the band, helping revitalize their career and sound for subsequent studio albums like Redeemer of Souls, Firepower, and Invincible Shield. Faulkner is highly recognized for his blistering solos, tasteful phrasing, and use of Gibson Flying V guitars.

Judas Priest announced a major career-spanning collection titled "The Best of Judas Priest",  released on June 19, 2026. The collection traces the evolution of the band and features 16 quintessential heavy metal tracks.

The band has also confirmed a return to the studio for new music and is gearing up for their summer European "Faithkeepers" tour. The tour starts: July 25, 2026, in Monchengladbach, Germany and Ends: September 21, 2026, in London, UK.  Judas Priest is also set to record a New Studio Album sometime In 2026.

Also, Ritchie Faulkner’s Elegant Weapons return with their sophomore studio album, Evolution.

This quartet of lifelong musicians — guitarist Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG), bassist Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heep), and drummer Christopher Williams (Accept) — have rallied around a collective vision. Together they’ve forged a signature style built on unforgettable riffing, surgically precise solos, bold grooves, and skyscraping hooks.

PURCHASE

'THE BEST OF 

JUDAS PRIEST '

The Best of Judas Priest is a career spanning collection celebrating one of the most influential and enduring bands in heavy metal. Judas Priest have defined and redefined the sound and imagery of heavy metal for more than five decades. With over 50 million albums sold worldwide and more than 2.5 billion streams across their catalogue, their impact on music and culture remains unmatched. This special collection of 16 songs brings together some of the band’s globally revered recordings, including ‘Breaking The Law,’ ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,’ ‘Electric Eye,’ ‘Turbo Lover’ and ‘Painkiller.’ Together, these tracks represent key moments from across their catalog and trace the evolution of a band that helped shape the genre itself. The Best Of Judas Priest serves as both an accessible entry point for new listeners and a definitive collection for longtime fans looking to revisit the song that cemented the band’s legacy.

AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR MUSIC PLATFORMS

PURCHASE

THE NEW ALBUM

BY

ELEGANT WEAPONS

ENTITLED

‘EVOLUTION’

Elegant Weapons, the heavy metal supergroup founded by Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, released their sophomore studio album, Evolution, on April 24, 2026.Released via Exciter Records, the album features 11 dynamic tracks ranging from hard-hitting riffs to classic power ballads.

You can stream or purchase the album across all major platforms using the Exciter Records Evolution Stream link. You can also pick up physical media like the CD directly via Darkside Records or Rough Trade.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

JUDAS PRIEST

VISIT

https://judaspriest.com/

OFFICIAL Website

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJudasPriest/

Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/judaspriest/?hl=en

Judas Priest Instagram

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

ELEGANT WEAPONS

VISIT

https://elegantweapons.exciterrecords.com/

Elegant Weapons Official website

https://www.richiefaulkner.com/

Richie Faulkner oFFicial website

https://www.instagram.com/falconfaulkner/

Richie Faulkner Instagram

https://open.spotify.com/artist/68LxTdkzuDW3cnp83NKfpQ?nd=1

SPOTIFY

youtube.com/channel/UCqdC4CpGCouDxCCQ83qwB1g?sub_confirmation=1

YOUTUBE

https://www.facebook.com/elegantweaponsband

FACEBOOK

JUDAS PRIEST

Discography

Studio albums

Rocka Rolla (1974)

Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)

Sin After Sin (1977)

Stained Class (1978)

Killing Machine (1978)

British Steel (1980)

Point of Entry (1981)

Screaming for Vengeance (1982)

Defenders of the Faith (1984)

Turbo (1986)

Ram It Down (1988)

Painkiller (1990)

Jugulator (1997)

Demolition (2001)

Angel of Retribution (2005)

Nostradamus (2008)

Redeemer of Souls (2014)

Firepower (2018)

Invincible Shield (2024)

 

ELEGANT WEAPONS

Discography

Studio Albums

• Horns for a Halo (2023)
• Evolution (2026)

 

 

 Judas Priest

On Tour

Jul 25 Sat

Bobfest 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Mönchengladbach, Germany

Jul 26 Sun

MESSEHALLE @ 8:00 PM

Halle, Germany

Jul 28 Tue

TORWAR I Hala Widowiskowa @ 8:00 PM

Warszawa, Poland

Jul 31 Fri

Wacken Open Air 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Wacken, Germany

Aug 2 Sun

OSTRAVAR ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Ostrava, Czechia

Aug 4 Tue

Tipos Arena @ 8:00 PM

Bratislava, Slovakia

Aug 6 Thu

WILEYSPORTPARK @ 8:00 PM

Neu-ulm, Germany

Aug 9 Sun

Bloodstock Open Air 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Burton Upon Trent, United Kingdom

Aug 12 Wed

O13 @ 8:00 PM

Tilburg, Netherlands

Aug 14 Fri

RE-LOAD FESTIVAL @ 8:00 PM

Bremen, Germany

Aug 16 Sun

MOTOCULTUR FESTIVAL @ 8:00 PM

Carhaix-plouguer, France

Aug 18 Tue

NAVARRA ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Salinas De Pamplona, Spain

Aug 20 Thu

Roig Arena @ 8:00 PM

València, Spain

Aug 23 Sun

LORELEY AMPHITEATRE @ 8:00 PM

Sankt Goarshausen, Germany

Aug 25 Tue

Pula Arena @ 8:00 PM

Pula, Croatia

Aug 28 Fri

Park Ušće @ 8:00 PM

Belgrade, Serbia

Aug 29 Sat

VIDAS ART ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sep 1 Tue

BUDAPEST ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Budapest, Hungary

Sep 3 Thu

PARCO S. VALENTINO @ 8:00 PM

Pordenone, Italy

Sep 5 Sat

TEATRO CLERICI @ 8:00 PM

Brescia, Italy

Sep 7 Mon

Fiera del Levante @ 8:00 PM

Bari, Italy

Sep 9 Wed

CAVEA AUDITORIUM PARCO DELLA MUSICA @ 8:00 PM

Rome, Italy

Sep 11 Fri

Festhalle Bern @ 8:00 PM

Bern, Switzerland

Sep 12 Sat

Zenith @ 8:00 PM

Strasbourg, France

Sep 14 Mon

DECINES-CHARPIEU, LDLC ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Lyon, France

Sep 15 Tue

FLOIRAC, ARKEA @ 8:00 PM

Bordeaux, France

Sep 17 Thu

ARENA ZENITH @ 8:00 PM

Paris, France

Sep 18 Fri

Forest National @ 8:00 PM

Bruxelles, Belgium

Sep 21 Mon

Eventim Apollo @ 8:00 PM

London, United Kingdom

RICHIE FAULKNER

APPEARS 

JUNE 16TH 2026

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH

RAY SHASHO

RAY'S NEW NOVEL

'THE LIBERTY CODE'

The Liberty Code is a thrilling blend of science

 fiction, political intrigue, and military strategy.

 With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and

 timely themes, this novel offers a captivating

 journey through a world where the line between

 fiction and reality blurs. It's a must-read for fans of

 dystopian futures, extraterrestrial encounters, and

 high-stakes political drama.

Are you ready to decode the secrets of The Liberty

 Code and join the fight for Earth's future?

AVAILABLE 

NOW!

RAY'S INCREDIBLE NEW 

POLITICAL THRILLER

SCI-FI BOOK!

THE

 LIBERTY

 CODE

In a near-future America, where democracy has collapsed under the iron grip of the Commonwealth Party, redemption lies in the unlikeliest of places—a novel. The Liberty Code, penned by decorated Marine veteran and journalist Sam Edwards, uncovers the hidden truths of a dystopian world teetering on the edge of annihilation.

Guided by telepathic messages from two Centauri extraterrestrial ambassadors, J-Rod and Naxia, who secretly collaborate with the U.S. Air Force, Edwards reveals a master plan to save Earth. This gripping tale begins as fiction but evolves into a stark reality, reflecting real-world geopolitical conflicts and revolutionary military operations.

OFFICIAL TRAILER

AVAILABLE AT

 bookbaby.com

amazon.com

and on audiobook 

at barnesandnoble.com

SPOTIFY.COM

NEW RELEASE

 BY THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

 NEW ARTIST KYLIE WILLOW

AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR 

STREAMING SITES

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

RAY SHASHO'S NEW PRODUCTION COMPANY

ROCK RAYMOND PRODUCTIONS

CLOSE ENEMIES IGNITE SARASOTA: A ROCK SUPERGROUP PROVES ITS POWER AT ENCORE LIVE! CONCERT REVIEW BY MUSIC JOURNALIST RAY SHASHO

 

Close Enemies

Ignite Sarasota: 

A Rock Supergroup Proves 

Its Power at Encore Live

concert review by Ray Shasho 

'Interviewing the Legends'

Sarasota’s brand‑new Encore Live nightclub didn’t just host a concert on Sunday night — it hosted a seismic event. Close Enemies, the newly formed all‑star rock collective, delivered a blistering, high‑octane performance that left the packed house buzzing long after the final notes faded. For a venue still finding its identity, this show felt like a christening by fire.

“Close Enemies proved they’re not a side project — they’re a force.”

The band’s lineup reads like a rock historian’s fever dream: Aerosmith bassist and songwriter Tom Hamilton, The Babys’ powerhouse drummer Tony Brock, Sheryl Crow’s longtime guitarist Peter Stroud, AC/DC and Aerosmith guitar tech‑turned‑axe‑slinger Trace Foster, and frontman Chasen Hampton, whose voice proved every bit as commanding and versatile as his Disney‑era résumé suggests. Together, they formed a unit that felt both impossibly seasoned and startlingly fresh.

“Close Enemies didn’t just play Sarasota — they detonated it.”

The show kicked off promptly at 9 p.m. with “Rain,” a moody, atmospheric opener that set the tone for a night built on dynamics — thunderous peaks, soulful valleys, and everything in between. From there, Close Enemies wasted no time showcasing their original material. “Sound of a Train,” “Inside Out,” and “Sweet Baby Jesus” revealed a band with a clear identity: muscular rock grooves anchored by Hamilton’s melodic bass lines, Brock’s thunderous precision, and Stroud and Foster’s interlocking guitars that alternated between grit and grace.

“When Tom Hamilton locks in with Tony Brock, you’re hearing rock history

 breathing in real time.”

Hampton, meanwhile, proved to be the band’s secret weapon. His voice soared, cracked, whispered, and roared — whatever the moment demanded, he delivered. On “Take a Pill” and “More Than I Could Ever Need,” he commanded the stage with the confidence of a frontman who knows he belongs in the same room as legends.

Chasen Hampton didn’t just front the band — he owned the room.”

The night’s first major eruption came with “Midnight Rendezvous,” a nod to Brock’s tenure with The Babys. The crowd recognized the opening riff instantly, and Brock — smiling like a man revisiting an old friend — drove the song with the swagger only he can summon.

Close Enemies also proved fearless in their future classic  “Battlefield” a surprise highlight.  Later, “Seasons of Wither” showcased Hamilton’s deep connection to the Aerosmith catalog, with the band delivering a haunting, faithful rendition that drew one of the night’s loudest ovations.

Originals like “Wink & a Feather” kept the momentum high, each one revealing a different facet of the band’s chemistry — from blues‑tinged grit to soaring melodic rock.

But the closing stretch is where Close Enemies truly detonated. “Sick as a Dog” and “Sweet Emotion” turned the room into a full‑throttle celebration of Hamilton’s legacy, with the audience singing every word. The encore‑style finale — a drum solo leading into “Head First” — was a masterclass in showmanship. Brock’s solo was explosive without ever becoming indulgent, and when the band crashed into the final song, the room felt like it might lift off its foundation.

Peter Stroud delivered a spellbinding performance, his lead guitar work holding the Encore Live audience in absolute silence. Long admired by fellow musicians, Stroud deserves far wider recognition as one of the most expressive and technically gifted guitarists of his generation. It’s time for music journalists to elevate his standing among the all‑time greats. 

Trace Foster, the band’s second guitarist, is the definition of a pure, instinctive musician. His years onstage with Angus Young (AC/DC), Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones), and Joe Perry (Aerosmith) have shaped a player whose tone, timing, and touch place him firmly among the industry’s elite.

By the end of the night, one thing was unmistakably clear: Close Enemies aren’t a novelty supergroup or a nostalgic side project. They’re a real band — tight, inspired, and hungry. Sarasota witnessed something special: the birth of a powerhouse.

If this show is any indication, Close Enemies won’t be playing intimate clubs for long. They’re built for bigger rooms, bigger crowds, and bigger moments. And after Sunday night, Sarasota will be able to say it saw the spark before the wildfire.

The evening was also visited by rock icons Joe Perry, the lead guitarist for Aerosmith, Duane Betts of The Allman Betts Band, Dan Donegan of Disturbed, Jimmy Fadden of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Ed Roland lead singer of Collective Soul.

“For one night, Encore Live felt less like a venue and more like the center

 of the rock‑and‑roll universe.”

Close Enemies debut album will be released on March 13th.

For more information

 visit 

https://closeenemiestheband.com/

It was a great night for all who attended and Sarasota has finally brought back live rock and roll to a local nightclub venue. Special thanks to everyone at Encore Live for a fantastic evening!

*Also special thanks to Shauna O'Donnell, Peter Stroud, Tricia,and the entire Close Enemies band.

CLOSE ENEMIES DEBUT ALBUM 

OFFICIAL RELEASE MARCH 13TH

Here's my recent interview with Close Enemies

clisk below to watch the entire interview

Tony Brock, Chasen Hampton, Tom Hamilton, Sharon Shasho (my wife),Trace Foster,Ray Shasho,Peter  Stroud... CLOSE ENEMIES

“Backstage they were humble; onstage they were unstoppable.”

JOE PERRY WITH JIMMY FADDEN

DUANE BETTS 

DON DONEGAN WITH GUESTS

ED ROLAND WITH GUEST

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

CLOSE ENEMIES 

VISIT

https://closeenemiestheband.com/

OFFICIAL BAND SITE

https://www.facebook.com/closeenemiestheband

FACEBOOK

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8VzY0BYc1cMnO7Ll3iGfhw

YOUTUBE

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KHndP8PLmYaYDdFppMZ4x?si=wrfZZAoaQ4mOLMET5eVhaw&nd=1&dlsi=fe6bc21ff0dd4250

SPOTIFY

https://www.tiktok.com/@closeenemies

TIKTOK

VISIT

ENCORE LIVE

FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

https://encoresrq.com/

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

RAY SHASHO

MUSIC JOURNALIST/AUTHOR/TALK SHOW HOST

AND INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

VISIT

THESE SITES

         https://www.youtube.com/c/InterviewingtheLegends

https://www.classicrockmusicwriter.com

https://www.classicrockhereandnow.com

https://www.musictriedandtrue.com

https://www.rayshashoshow.blogspot.com

https://www.publicityworksagency.com

https://www.facebook.com/RockWriter

https://www.twitter.com/SaveRockNow

https://www.podcastics.com/profile/13448-rock-raymond/

https://www.thelibertycodebook.com/

RAY'S NEW NOVEL

'THE LIBERTY CODE'

The Liberty Code is a thrilling blend of science fiction, political intrigue, and military strategy. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and timely themes, this novel offers a captivating journey through a world where the line between fiction and reality blurs. It's a must-read for fans of dystopian futures, extraterrestrial encounters, and high-stakes political drama.

Are you ready to decode the secrets of The Liberty Code and join the fight for Earth's future?

LIBERTY CODE TEASER

AVAILABLE 

NOW!

RAY'S INCREDIBLE NEW 

SCI-FI BOOK!

THE

 LIBERTY

 CODE

In a near-future America, where democracy has collapsed under the iron grip of the Commonwealth Party, redemption lies in the unlikeliest of places—a novel. The Liberty Code, penned by decorated Marine veteran and journalist Sam Edwards, uncovers the hidden truths of a dystopian world teetering on the edge of annihilation.

Guided by telepathic messages from two Centauri extraterrestrial ambassadors, J-Rod and Naxia, who secretly collaborate with the U.S. Air Force, Edwards reveals a master plan to save Earth. This gripping tale begins as fiction but evolves into a stark reality, reflecting real-world geopolitical conflicts and revolutionary military operations.

OFFICIAL TRAILER

AVAILABLE AT

 bookbaby.com

amazon.com

and on audiobook 

at barnesandnoble.com

and Spotify

PURCHASE HERE

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-liberty-code?srsltid=AfmBOoosm9yL_n_mIiQdRmnY5RgaxapZTnzc8iB1Jy0F7FDLixFQaNOp