He has released two solo albums, titled Enter By the Twelfth Gate (2004)[1] and Ascension (2014),[2] mostly composed of instrumental, classical-styled progressive metal.

In 2016, Pinnella ranked #11 in Loudwire's Top 25 Rock + Metal Keyboardists of All Time,[3] praised for being an "essential component of Symphony X’s overarching epic nature".

Pinnella was born in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey and was encouraged since childhood to follow music.

Later in his youth, he was impressed by Yngwie Malmsteen and asked his parents to buy him a keyboard.

Other influences came from progressive/metal bands from the 1970s (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) and from the 1980s (DIO, Ozzy Osbourne).