Chris Caffery - W.A.R.P.E.D.
	Released: 2004/2005 Label: Black Lotus Records Cat. No.: BLRCD092 Total Time: 72:37+
	Reviewed by: Jan-Mikael Erakare, October 2005 Evaluation: The libretto outlines a scenario of war and the fragile existence of our maladjusted earth. In spite of the timeliness of the subject matter, the glib religious generalizations and proto-evolutionary rhetoric stultify the concept, re-affirming the notion that pontificating about weighty subject matter should not be done by musicians… Analysis: W.A.R.P.E.D offers a slightly progressive take on fairly pedestrian heavy metal. The rhythm section though, is extremely tight, and the guitar-work (executed by the multi-talented Chris Caffery) is dry and present, ratcheting the heaviness up a notch or two through simplistic yet dynamic riffing. Solos, while not virtuosic, are lean and muscular, thankfully devoid of unnecessarily histrionic displays. Mr Caffery's gravel-throated approach (reminiscent of Devin Townsend's work on Steve Vai’s Sex And Religion disc) lends an aggressive edge to the songs, and his ability to vary dynamic tension through interesting harmonies ("Saddamize") and clean singing adds to the overall impact. The music is well-written if not particularly unique. Guest musicians (Jon Oliva, vocals, from Savatage and Brian Gregory from Dr Butcher on bass on "Iraq Attack") lend heavy-weight support to the proceedings, but the occasionally vapid lyrics and hackneyed concept emasculate somewhat… Rating: 4-/5. The minus is for the truly narcissistic insert photo of Mr Caffery in camouflage body paint (er, nice rack?) [ W.A.R.P.E.D. is the expanded version of the 6-track bonus disc included with his previous release Faces -ed. Summary: Excellent driving music. Succinctly pugilistic and terse. Exactly what metal ought to be. More about W.A.R.P.E.D.: Track Listing: Home Is Where The Hell Is (7:00) / God Damn War (6:34) / Election Day (2:33) / Erase (5:40) / Fool, Fool! (2:57) / Edge Of Darkness (4:10) / Saddamize (7:37) / "I" (4:31) / W.A.R.P.E.D. (3:37) / Iraq Attack (5:25) / Fright Knights () / The State Of The Head (5:34) / Piece Be With You (5:54) / Beat Me, You'll Never Beat Me!!! (6:00) / Curtains (3:12) Musicians: Chris Caffery - vocals and guitars Dave Z - bass Paul Morris - piano and keyboards Jeff Plate - drums and percussion Guests: Jon Oliva - lead vocals (9) Brian Gregory - bass (9) Contact: Website: www.chriscaffery.com Note: will open new browser window Discography Dirty Looks - Turn Of The Screw (1988) Big Mouth - Quite Not Right (1988) Savatage - Gutter Ballet (1989) Various - From The Dungeons To The Streets (w/Savatage) (1992) Doctor Butcher - Doctor Butcher (1994/1999) Savatage - Japan Live '94 (1994) Savatage - The Dungeons Are Calling (1994) Sun Red Sun - Sun Red Sun (1995) Savatage - The Final Bell (1995) Savatage - Ghost In The Ruins (1995) Savatage - Dead Winter Dead (1995) Savatage - From The Gutter To The Stage (1996) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve And Other Stories (1996) Savatage - The Best And The Rest (1997) Savatage - The Wake Of Magellan (1997/1998) Joe Lynn Turner - Hurry Up And Wait (1998) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Christmas Attic (1998) Savatage - Believe (1998) Sun Red Sun - Lost Tracks (1999) Various - Rock Super Stars, Vol 2 - Guns'n'Roses Tribute (1999) Metalium - Legends Of Steel (1999) Various - Burning, Tribute To Accept (w/Metallium) (1999) Metalium - Millenium Metal - Chapter One (1999) Doctor Butcher - The Demos (1999) Various - A Tribute To The Beast, Vol. 2 (2000) Various - Slave To The Power: Iron Maiden Tribute (2000) Various - The Grinch Soundtrack (w/TSO) (2000) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Beethoven's Last Night (2000) TM Stevens - Shockazooloo (2001) Blockk 16 - Too Brutal For Radio (2001) Savatage - Poets And Madmen (2001) John West - Earthmaker (2002) Doro - Fight (2002) Joe Lynn Turner - JLT (2003) Murder 1 - On High (2003) Circle II Circle - Watching In Silence (2003) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Lost Christmas Eve (2004) Faces (2004) W.A.R.P.E.D. (2005) Metalium - Metalian Attack Part 1 (1999-2001) (2001) (DVD) Doro - Fur Immer (2003) (DVD) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve (2001) (DVD)
	[Review Index]  [Home]  [Top] © Copyright 2005 ProgressiveWorld.net/Jan-Mikael Erakare