OSI — Fire Make Thunder (review)

Album · 2012 · Progressive Metal

3.5/5 · 2012-07-05
Time Signature

Cold call...

Genre: progressive rock/metal

Connoisseurs of progressive metal will know that OSI (or Office of Strategic Influence) is a project between Kevin Moore (ex-Dream Theater) and Jim Matheos (Fates Warning, Arch / Matheos). Thus, we are dealing with some truly iconic names within the universe of progressive metal.

If you are familiar with Fates Warning and Dream Theater, but not for OSI, it is understandable if you expect complex and epic progressive metal with lot of technically advanced playing and odd time signatures, and you are forgiven if you expect the guitars and drums to be at the center of attention. Of course, if that is what you expect, you will disappointed because OSI's music is far from the kind of progressive metal, one associates with Dream Theater and Fates Warning. The primary emphasis in OSI's music is on atmosphere and ambiance rather than on displaying musicianship. This means that the music on "Fire Make Thunder" finds itself in a fascinating no-man's land between progressive electro-rock, alternative rock and metal. I certainly would not describe it as all out metal in any case.

There is plenty of metallic riffage from Matheos', some of which is heavy and groovy, and perhaps slightly simpler and industrially oriented than one might be accustomed to in a Fates Warning context. However, I think there are some similarities between his riffing on "Fire Make Thunder" and Fates Warning's more industrially inspired "Disconnected", and there are also a couple of riffs that build on odd time signatures now and then (it is after all one of Matheos' trademarks). Unlike "Disconnected", however, it is not the distorted guitars that constitute the key element here, as there are several passages dominated by atmospheric keyboards and other effects. There are even entire tracks that are totally void of metal guitar, such as "Indian Curse" and "For Nothing", and in other track, the guitar takes more of a background role, as in "Wind Won't Howl" and "Big Chief II." Note that one should not expect the same kind of synth acrobatics as Kevin Moore was in charge of when he was in Dream Theater. His contribution on "Fire Make Thunder" consists in atmospheric effects and general ambiance. He is also in charge of the dry and chanting, almost introvert, vocals.

On the whole, we are certainly dealing with interesting and expressive music that you can easily lose yourself in. However - and fanboys are free to hate me for this - I do not think that this is music that is in any way compelling. If you like atmospheric progressive metal, then "Fire Make Thunder" is certainly recommended, but do not expect progressive metal a la Dream Theater or Fates Warning. I must say that I also think that there are other releases within the universe of atmospheric progressive metal/rock that are more interesting and compelling, like Cynic's "Carbon-Based Anatomy". Still "Fire Make Thunder" is a quality release which is very easy to enjoy.