Savatage / Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist Chris Caffery recently completed a string of US dates with Metal Church, filling in for guitarist Rick Van Zandt, who has had undergone surgery to fix a detached retina. Caffery has checked in with the following update:

"Hey all!

Finally waking up at home here and getting ready to unpack and attack the large pile of mail on my desk!

The last three weeks were so much fun. I know I've had a lot of success in my career and people will always point how lucky and fortunate I am for the level it has reached. But to be totally honest whether it's in front of 10 people or 80,000 the most important thing to me is the feeling you get when the band, the fans and the music all connect. Last summer at Wacken was one of my favorite concerts I've ever played at. This entire Metal Church tour will hold a special place in my memory banks. Playing those amazing songs with my friends in that band for some of the most dedicated music fans in the world. It all just connected and it was pretty special.

I wanted to give a bit larger thanks today to the band and crew.

Mr. Vanderhoof...not since I played my first Savatage rehearsal had I instantly locked in with someone on guitar like we did. Thank you for having me join you on this journey.

Jeff...20 years...thank you! A great one for the story book! Some of the most fun I've had with you on and off stage in those 20 years! Soon enough it will be TSO time.

Steve "Thundergod" Unger...you are my favorite rock star. 'Nuff said!

Mr Mike Howe aka Mike Dyson (inside joke). Not since the Gutter Ballet tour has a singer made my ears feel that power through the monitors! So glad that you came back so the fans can see and hear one of the greatest ever again!

Thanks to our crew, small but mighty!

Tim Harding....the many faces of Tim. Tim our sound engineer... thanks for never telling us we had to turn down onstage! We go to 11!  Tim our tour manager thanks for representing with class and keeping it all running smoothly.

Rick and John onstage. Awesome job. Sorry for the sub-freezing load ins and outs!

Tristin at the merch booth... thanks for the laughs and the 'Crazy Eddie' energy every night.

A special shout out to Rick Van Zandt. It was a pleasure to play your music and I'm happy you had a successful recovery. Kick ass out on the rest of the tour!

To the fans: you were all so incredible. Thanks for all of the smiles and kind words and I'll see you all again somewhere soon!"

Chris

P.S.: "Feeling the need to go and write a few new really heavy songs. Playing that stuff live was so inspirational. Like Uncle Ted always sez, 'It's good for the soul!'