The American group OSI can safely be regarded as a super group in the prog rock genre. A super duo, that is, formed by ex-Dream Theater keyboardist Kevin Moore and Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos. On two previous albums they were able to build their spherical prog metal on the drumming skills of Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). On Blood this place has been taken by (not the least) Gavin Harrison
… of Porcupine Tree. The OSI songs, which are remarkably short for the genre, are often based on the complex keyboard parts and sequences of Moore. Matheos skilfully breaks this through with restrained metal riffs, so that the music never becomes floaty. Matheos' flat vocals are the only weak link within this musical field of tension. A welcome guest is therefore Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt who lends his warm baritone voice to the song Stockholm. A beautifully produced record on which pointed tightness and atmosphere complement each other cleverly. (MR)more
