Guitarist Richie Faulkner has opened up about the deeply personal inspiration behind his new track, “Rupture,” which addresses the life-threatening aortic rupture he suffered in 2021. In a recent conversation with Full Metal Jackie, the Elegant Weapons leader detailed how the song serves as a sonic representation of his recovery and the emotional turmoil he faced during that period.
Faulkner explained that the creative process for the track began shortly after his surgery, as he sought to return to his instrument. “I was listening to Tool and it kind of inspired the riff. I could hear a heartbeat through it—a rhythm,” he shared. The guitarist noted that he wanted to capture the feeling of being in a hospital bed, surrounded by medical equipment, while simultaneously infusing the composition with a sense of hope. “I could hear the turmoil but I could also kind of hear hope in the song as well. So I made it kind of tumultuous and hopeful at the same time.”
The connection to Tool runs deeper than just musical inspiration. Faulkner revealed that during his recovery, he received a call from Adam Jones, who invited him to perform a song with the band. The challenge of learning the complex material served as a catalyst for his own creative output, pushing him to get back into the swing of writing and performing.
An Evolution in Sound
The track “Rupture” appears on the band’s sophomore album, Evolution. Faulkner emphasized that the title is a fitting descriptor for the band’s growth, particularly regarding the collaborative dynamic with vocalist Ronnie Romero. Unlike their debut, where the vocal parts were largely pre-recorded, the new record saw the band working closely with producer Andy Sneap to refine performances from the ground up.
“We got on a Zoom call… and from the ground up we kind of said, ‘Let’s try this vocal. Let’s try this variant. Let’s try this technique,'” Faulkner explained. This hands-on approach allowed for a more cohesive sound, reflecting the band’s maturation as a unit.
Looking Ahead
Beyond his work with Elegant Weapons, Faulkner continues to be a pivotal figure in Judas Priest. Reflecting on his career, he noted that the journey of finding one’s own “fingerprint” as a musician is never truly finished. Whether he is playing live with the metal legends or pushing boundaries with his own projects, Faulkner remains focused on the constant pursuit of better songwriting and performance.
With tour dates on the horizon, fans can expect to see both the legacy of Judas Priest and the burgeoning identity of Elegant Weapons continue to unfold in the coming months.
