If somebody would tell you that the last Savatage is dated 2000 (Poets and Madmen), you would nod your head, but yes is already 4 years since the last studio release. In between, we were very positive surprised by the release of former Savatage vocalist Zak Steven’s releases "Watching the Silence" together with his Circle II Circle. Zak not only got help from Jon Olivia, but also from guitarist Chris Caffery, and now it’s Chris to break the silence with his first solo release "Faces".

To list the releases on which Chris worked on is almost impossible, because next to his main band Savatage, he also worked together with Jon in Doctor Butcher and Trans-Siberian Orchestra and a lot of other bands and projects.

Chris couldn’t stand the silence anymore and started to write songs for his solo project. For the release of "Faces" he wrote a lot of more songs than the 16 songs that are going to be released, and therefore this release contains a bonus CD with over 40 minutes extras, so if that isn’t enough (see "God Damn War"-review)!

Chris gets help from Paul Morris (Rainbow/Doro) on keyboard and piano, Dave Z (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) on the bass guitar, Savatage band-mate Jeff Plate on drums and Chris himself on guitars and yes vocals. And if you think this man can’t sing than you’re totally wrong. He has so much vocal potential, sometimes you think its Jon Olivia on the vocals, next it sounds like Alice Cooper and on another track, you’ll get the impression King Diamond took over the mike. And the fact that his vocals vary that much, also contributes that musically you’ll get many bands that you will recognize here. When I first heard the title track "Faces" I thought it was a song from "Stygma IV", then it has many Savatage influences and even more Doctor Butcher. But not only vocally Chris is in a top form, also his guitar riffs and solos are sublime.

If somebody would ask me, what my favorite track was, I would stand there with a huge grin on my face, perhaps I would say "Faces", "Fade Into The X" or "Never" or perhaps "The Mold" with the Bee Gees intro ....you should be dancing... (see interview why!), but to be honest the songs are all great. In my humble opinion, I think Chris has been underrated all of these years, his talent was kept hidden in the shades of Jon Olivia and Paul O’Neal. I’m glad he now stepped into the spotlight and surprised us with his real Face(s).

Points 9,8 out of 10

Perhaps now you think why 2 reviews for just one release? However, the answer is very simple, this bonus disc to "Faces" is almost a separate release, for it’s almost a concept, and hey, you’re not getting 40 minutes of bonus every day!

"God Damn War" opens with bombing and the title track, an almost metal opera in itself. Chris’s shows his vocal range from his best side on this track. From almost grunge up to his highest peaks. Not only a wonderful opening track, but also one of the best tracks on this bonus disc. Also, for this CD applies, it’s very hard to pick out you’re favorite track. "Piece Be With You, as example, with it’s doomy riff or "Curtains" which reminds me of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "The Wall" with it’s freaky vocals. Very well done I think, is the intro to "Saddamize" we’re Chris enters a Greece pub as a tourist and after receiving a local drink he gets laughed at his question "When do you think this war is going to end?". So despite of the fact that Chris touches a tricky subject and September 11th he still sees it positive and makes fun of it. Nevertheless, musically he takes it all very serious, because the songs on this CD fit each other as Cinderella fit into the shoe although this is NOT a fairy-tale.

Points 9,5 out of 10