OSI Signs with Metal Blade Records - New album this year!

[TAC]

TAC, it's probably just a matter of style.  There are a couple things about OSI's musical 'style' that you might have difficulty getting past:

1.  Kevmo's lifeless, hypnotic, monotone, robotic, emotionless, almost-spoken vocal style

2.  Your general distaste for electronica and electronic music

Yes that's all true. Using my own closemindedness as a my measuring stick, I'm really surprised as to how many folks actually dig OSI.

And I'm insulted that you would think that I listen to a band's music strictly because of the "star" power of its respective members.   

Well, I didn't think I was insulting YOU, so I had to check my own quote

I'm not trying to be an ass, but I have the first OSI, and took one listen to Blood. Would someone please tell me WTF I am missing? To me, it's like these guys with great resumes got together to make an album, but instead got drunk, and this is what we got. Would LUDWIGVAN give a f##k about these albums if they were recorded by 3 no names?

OK, I now see where you'd get that idea!

[El Barto]

Loved the first album.  Tolerated Free.  Disliked Blood.  This is quite unfortunate since GH is a big step up drum-wise for this sort of music.  I'd like to like Blood, but other than about 3 songs, I just can't stand it.  I'll certainly check out a new album, and hopefully it'll be better and include GH, but I'm not real hopeful.

[Perpetual Change]

Can't get into 'em. But more output from these guys is good, I guess, since imo OSI are one of those bands that still haven't tapped their potential.

[SoundscapeMN]

I mean, PoS is still everything to me at the momebt,

Daniel Gildenlow was originally going to be involved in OSI, including as a vocalist. He was preparing vocals for a 27 minute song when Jim called him and told him he wasn't needed.

what could have been.

Loved the first album.  Tolerated Free.  Disliked Blood.  This is quite unfortunate since GH is a big step up drum-wise for this sort of music.  I'd like to like Blood, but other than about 3 songs, I just can't stand it.

pretty close to my feeling, except I would say I was immensely disappointed in Free, even though it had about 3 or 4 songs I liked. It was not even close to the 1st record which I consider a very well composed and cohesive album.

[Samsara]

I'm a bit in TAC's camp. I like OSI, but I like the stuff that is heavier. Kev's voice is ok, it is monotone and lifeless at times, but it sorta fits the vibe of what they do musically. Even the rockin' stuff, it just works with it. I can't explain it.

The heavy electronica-type songs are usually ones I struggle with. But when they get heavy (i.e. The Escape Artist, etc.) man that makes up for it.

I really liked Blood a lot. Probably my favorite out of all three.

[faemir]

I love the lifeless vocals, they just work so well, especially on songs like Blood.

Blood > OSI > Free anyway.

[Pyroph]

OSI are great. The electronic music is what make them great, and I wouldn't have it any other way. All 3 albums are stellar, but Free is the best.

[Darkes7]

I'm definitely not a fan of electronic music of any kind, but the way OSI handles it and composes it into their music makes me really like it (e.g. We Come Undone is a great example).

[Perpetual Change]

Loved the first album.  Tolerated Free.  Disliked Blood.  This is quite unfortunate since GH is a big step up drum-wise for this sort of music.  I'd like to like Blood, but other than about 3 songs, I just can't stand it.  I'll certainly check out a new album, and hopefully it'll be better and include GH, but I'm not real hopeful.

I didn't notice this post at first, but it pretty much pins down how I feel about Blood. The few songs which I love are so good that, for awhile, I vastly overestimated how good the album was. Multiple listens later, I started noticing the flaws.

[Nick]

Personally, I don't think that Gavin brought anything new to the table on Blood. I expected the music would suit his style, but I found his work to be on par with Portnoy's. That being said, I hope they try out someone new for the new album.

[Perpetual Change]

Personally, I don't think that Gavin brought anything new to the table on Blood. I expected the music would suit his style, but I found his work to be on par with Portnoy's. That being said, I hope they try out someone new for the new album.

Y'know, there were a FEW things (read: a FEW) that I think Gav brought to the table. Like better use of ghost notes and such, an all around "lighter touch," etc.  But, overall, I don't really think he sounded more impressive than Portnoy. Then again, Portnoy seems to have had MUCH better material to work with.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Loved the first album.  Tolerated Free.  Disliked Blood.  This is quite unfortunate since GH is a big step up drum-wise for this sort of music.  I'd like to like Blood, but other than about 3 songs, I just can't stand it.  I'll certainly check out a new album, and hopefully it'll be better and include GH, but I'm not real hopeful.

I didn't notice this post at first, but it pretty much pins down how I feel about Blood. The few songs which I love are so good that, for awhile, I vastly overestimated how good the album was. Multiple listens later, I started noticing the flaws.

What flaws do you speak of that you could only discern after multiple listens?

[Quadrochosis]

Super exciting news. OSI is one of the 5 or 10 best metal bands of the past decade, so this is awesome.

Except I would hesitate a long while before simply calling OSI a metal band.

[skydivingninja]

Wow.  Wouldn't expect another album so soon.  I really should give these guys some more listens.  Where should I start?

[sonatafanica]

I would say to try out either the latest (Blood) or Free.

I personally like Free better, but it does not start out all that great. It's an album that gets better as it goes on.

[abydos]

Debut - not your typical prog but as close as OSI gets to it.
Free - more electronic than guitar driven
Blood - probably a perfect mixture of the previous two.

Pick your album based on your taste, but ultimately I suggest you check out all three albums.

[Perpetual Change]

Loved the first album.  Tolerated Free.  Disliked Blood.  This is quite unfortunate since GH is a big step up drum-wise for this sort of music.  I'd like to like Blood, but other than about 3 songs, I just can't stand it.  I'll certainly check out a new album, and hopefully it'll be better and include GH, but I'm not real hopeful.

I didn't notice this post at first, but it pretty much pins down how I feel about Blood. The few songs which I love are so good that, for awhile, I vastly overestimated how good the album was. Multiple listens later, I started noticing the flaws.

What flaws do you speak of that you could only discern after multiple listens?

The flaws are nothing specific.  I'm just referring the general "been there, done that" vibe a lot of the songs on the album have. Not a whole lot catches my attention besides for what I initially liked (The Escape Artist, Terminal, Radiologue, and Blood).  Granted that's almost half the album, it's still not enough to keep "Blood" in my CD player for long.

But if I had to point out one characteristic that I believe keeps the other songs down, I'd say it's just the melodies. Songs like False Start and Stockholm are cool sounding, but ultimately the melodies aren't strong enough to pull me in.

[ReaperKK]

Reading this thread has made my week that much better. I really hope Harrison comes back to do this new album.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Loved the first album.  Tolerated Free.  Disliked Blood.  This is quite unfortunate since GH is a big step up drum-wise for this sort of music.  I'd like to like Blood, but other than about 3 songs, I just can't stand it.  I'll certainly check out a new album, and hopefully it'll be better and include GH, but I'm not real hopeful.

I didn't notice this post at first, but it pretty much pins down how I feel about Blood. The few songs which I love are so good that, for awhile, I vastly overestimated how good the album was. Multiple listens later, I started noticing the flaws.

What flaws do you speak of that you could only discern after multiple listens?

The flaws are nothing specific.  I'm just referring the general "been there, done that" vibe a lot of the songs on the album have. Not a whole lot catches my attention besides for what I initially liked (The Escape Artist, Terminal, Radiologue, and Blood).  Granted that's almost half the album, it's still not enough to keep "Blood" in my CD player for long.

Surprising Blood gave you a "been there, done that" vibe after multiple listens considering there is no other band that has done what OSI are doing right now.

Me: The more I listen to Blood, there more the boring stuff gets interesting, not the other way around.

[SPNKr]

I really hope Harrison comes back to do this new album.

As do I. Gavin's the bomb for this sort of stuff.

[Perpetual Change]

Surprising Blood gave you a "been there, done that" vibe after multiple listens considering there is no other band that has done what OSI are doing right now.

Except for the first two OSI albums 

But anyway, OSI may be different, but I'm just not a fan of the type of music they play in general.

[KevShmev]

Moore definitely has a limited vocal range, but it is unfair to call his vocals lifeless or emotionless.  His voice has kind of hypnotic quality to it, which usually matches the electronic vibe in many of their songs.  He isn't a great singer by any stretch of the imagination, but for this project, his voice just works.

[El Barto]

Moore definitely has a limited vocal range, but it is unfair to call his vocals lifeless or emotionless.  His voice has kind of hypnotic quality to it, which usually matches the electronic vibe in many of their songs.  He isn't a great singer by any stretch of the imagination, but for this project, his voice just works.

With this, I agree.  I like his vocals a lot for this, almost ethereal.  Second only to Dan Rather's, IMO.  It's the music that's bothered me. 

Debut - not your typical prog but as close as OSI gets to it.
Free - more electronic than guitar driven
Blood - probably a perfect mixture of the previous two.

This about sums it up.  My problem is that I don't like the electronics as opposed to guitar driven music.  While you're correct that Blood seems to combine the two styles, it's only by including some songs from each style, and not actually combining the two.  Some of the better songs on the debut actually did have elements of both in them, which was cool and unique. 

[abydos]

Memory Daydream Lapses - it's anything but emotionless/lifeless.

[bosk1]

TAC, it's probably just a matter of style.  There are a couple things about OSI's musical 'style' that you might have difficulty getting past:

1.  Kevmo's lifeless, hypnotic, monotone, robotic, emotionless, almost-spoken vocal style

2.  Your general distaste for electronica and electronic music

That sums up exactly why I've never bothered to check them out and have assumed I probably would not be thrilled with what they might have to offer.  That being said, as I sit here right now, I pulled up a few tunes on an online site, and I actually am enjoying what I hear, even though this sort of thing might not otherwise really appeal to me.  So far, I've listened to Radiologue and The Escape Artist.  I can't say I'm loving it, but it's enough to have made me curious to check out more.

[sonatafanica]

I guess being a HUGE Chroma Key fan makes it easier for me to like OSI. Though sometimes I wish Kevin would take a rest from OSI and do more Chroma Key stuff.

[faemir]

I should listen to Chroma Key

[bosk1]

I guess being a HUGE Chroma Key fan makes it easier for me to like OSI. Though sometimes I wish Kevin would take a rest from OSI and do more Chroma Key stuff.

I would think that might help.  But you also make it sound like you might otherwise somehow have to try to like OSI.  I'm not saying that's the case, and I'm not trying to slag them by saying I never had any desire to listen to them.  It's just that what they do doesn't appeal to what I generally like in music, and the two points LV made that I quoted are two things I generally do not like in my music, that's all.  But as others have mentioned, it works with their musical formula, and despite the fact that those elements would generally be a turnoff for me, the entire formula together works and I'm generally liking what I hear.

(Since the last post, I've listened to Blood (song) and Stockholm as well)

[Perpetual Change]

Moore's voice has never been the reason why I'm not thrilled about OSI or Chroma Key.

[pogoowner]

The more OSI the better, really. They're one of the most interesting groups around these days. I wish Jim would devote more time to Fates Warning, though, because I'd be even more excited about a new album from them.

[sonatafanica]

I guess being a HUGE Chroma Key fan makes it easier for me to like OSI. Though sometimes I wish Kevin would take a rest from OSI and do more Chroma Key stuff.

I would think that might help.  But you also make it sound like you might otherwise somehow have to try to like OSI.

I personally like electronic stuff in the vein of CK more than I like the metal elements in OSI. The electronic stuff that Moore brings to the table is pretty much the reason I listen to OSI.

[Samsara]

OSI is an acquired taste for a non-Chroma Key fan. I am NOT a CK fan, but I do like OSI...but only when I'm in the mood for it. Jim's riffs are great, and I enjoy the moodiness of the songs. But Kev's monotone delivery can get boring and stale if I am not in the right headspace for it.

[Nick]

Moore definitely has a limited vocal range, but it is unfair to call his vocals lifeless or emotionless.  His voice has kind of hypnotic quality to it, which usually matches the electronic vibe in many of their songs.  He isn't a great singer by any stretch of the imagination, but for this project, his voice just works.

Pretty much exactly how I would have said it, well put.

[YtseBitsySpider]

Im with TAC on this one.
This band was an "idea"........then it became a band?
It's a fart that has lingered a little too long.

[ReaperKK]

I should listen to Chroma Key

The first album is the best IMO