Being a lead guitarist is one thing. Being the lead guitarist for one of the biggest Metal bands around, Savatage, is another thing...but this is not quite our case here. We’re talking about Chris Caffery’s first solo effort in trying out his abilities as a singer as well! Yup, Chris decided it was time he did something personal as well, except for playing with Savatage (unofficially since 1987 – he left, then returned in 1995 forever), the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and contributing on various artists’ releases (other times as a co-writer, a couple of guitar solos, whole projects etc).

"Faces" is his debut solo work, together with keyboardist Paul Morris (Rainbow, Doro), bassist Dave Z (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ZO2) and his partner from Savatage, drummer Jeff Plate (who’s been in Savatage since 1994 and also is a part of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra).

What we’ve got here, though it’s been characterized as Melodic Heavy Metal by Black Lotus Records, is more of a compilation of various elements, various genres - relatively close to each other. "Faces", as the numerous different musical aspects Caffery presents on his album. This album is a personal expression of all the feelings that had been locked up inside all this time, this is a ‘personal statement’ done by Chris Caffery in terms of music. If the whole album could be translated in plain words, it would probably be "hey, I’m a musician! I’m not just a guitarist, I freaking know how to sing too!". And yup, Chris surely knows how to sing. Not only does he know how to just sing, he’s got an ageless raging teenager inside him singing behind that microphone!

16 tracks on just one CD simply means (to me) that Caffery must have one hell of a lot of things in store to share with us. His voice reminds me a lot of Jon Oliva’s vocals (late 80s) in a way that there are moments I feel it’s as if I’m listening to some unreleased Savatage songs! An example of what I’m saying are the songs "Fade Into The X" and "Mold". On the other songs the similarity is relatively weaker. Well as the album is entitled "Faces", it doesn’t entirely go like that. "Pisses Me Off" is a really...pissed off song, really heavy (down tuned riffing throughout the entire track) and full of anger. "Faces" is a real speeder; I wouldn’t call it Power Metal, I’d probably call it really fast Heavy Metal because of Chris’s raging vocals. And if you’re tired of all this blasting rhythm, of these full of anger vocals well...there are also softer tracks like "Music Man", full of soft melody and warm emotions.

The entire album proves its title’s absolutely correct! "Faces" is a multicolored painting, a plate filled with delicatessens set to satisfy all sorts of hunger related to Hard Rock/Heavy Metal (with a delightful tone of melody).

A great start in the "singing: business for Mr. Caffery, a great album to buy for all those who’ve loved his guitar hammering with Savatage or elsewhere and a surely interesting new aspect of his to explore!

P.S. "Faces" is going to be released on the 24th of September (2004) together with a Bonus CD entitled "God Damn War" (with more than 40 minutes of music). A single is going to be released in early September.