Chris Caffery
Pins and Needles
Release date: March 23rd 2007
Label: Metal Heaven
Provided by: GerMusica Promotion
Website: www.chriscaffery.com
Style: Heavy Metal
Rating: 65/100
Reviewed by: Kenn Jensen
Date: February 17th 2007

Chris Caffery is a very talented guitarist, which he has proved more than once with Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra in the past. He is highly respected for his skills and versatility around the metal world. Same can be said about his song writing skills, but one thing he is not is a talented singer!

This album picks up where 'Faces' (2004) and 'W.A.R.P.E.D.' (2005) left us, songs that are definitely deadringers for any Savatage fans - the songs are however more aggressive and experimental than we are used to from the hands of Mr. Caffery.

The aggressive approach is reflected in the guitar sound as well as the song structures, and I like the direction Chris Caffery has chosen with this album. The result is 14 good and powerful heavy metal tunes, which Chris together with Yael (Fireball Ministry, My Ruin on drums), Nick Douglas (Doro on bass) and Paul Morris (Rainbow on keyboards) deliver very professional.

Only drawback is once more the vocals from Mr. Caffery himself. I wish he would have hired help to handle the vocals, because the songs are strong, powerful and have a lot of potential, but the mediocre singing ruins a lot of the fun. His clean voice is fine, but he has no range at all and his stamina leaves a lot to be desired for. Not to mention his aggressive singing... not good!

This album could have been so much better, if only...