Osi
Blood

THE REVIEW

O.S.I., acronym for Office of Strategic Influence, is a formation led by Kevin Moore (Dream Theater, Chroma Key) and Jim Matheos (Fates Warning). This is the appetizer and the first course. The second comes with a side of a futuristic drum kit drowned in an ocean of crashes, splashes, chinas, and other delicacies. Gavin Harrison, few introductions needed, everyone knows who he is, what he does, and HOW he does it. Everything is full of flavor. More than the color of blood, the record has that of twilight or an aurora borealis, thanks to the contribution of the musicians involved who, with their musical knowledge, give depth to the sound, producing chiaroscuro of notable intensity.

The record knows how to caress when necessary ("Terminal", a shining example of "celestial jazz", see Harrison's ostinato, with Mikael Akerfeldt on vocals), scratches and raises the voice and guitar volumes when it is indispensable.

Played mainly on dynamics, stellar sounds and production, the record highlights the undeniable artistic qualities, not just technical, of the musicians. Harrison makes himself heard: technical, imaginative, precise, surgical, full of feeling. Moore's voice is perfect, he is not Eric Adams, but in a similar context, his hissing and whispering provides excellent sensations. Matheos does the rest with guitar sounds saturated and thick as a concrete wall (in the heaviest moments). "Stockholm" is wonderful, "Microburst Alert" is fascinating, and the 10/8 of "Blood" moves with a beautiful keyboard riff on which the drums fit perfectly.

Metal, prog, electronics... who knows, perhaps all of this. "Blood" as Art, because it's what flows in the veins of these gentlemen. Hoping for a (not distant) future comeback.