I thought I'd just share with you a couple of new albums I picked up some of you might be interested in:
OSI - Office of Strategic Influence
The new 'supergroup' comprising Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Jim Matheos (Fates Warning), and Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, ex-Dream Theater)
This politically themed album is not bad. Musically it sounds more like Fates Warning's last album, Disconnected, but Kevin really took it another direction with alot of keyboard programming. His vocals are not impressive but it works for this style of music. As for Mike's contribution...well you're not going to hear DT here, and that's a good thing!
If you're interested in something 'seriously' different give a listen to OSI, especially if you like Fates Warning (or Dream Theater).
Pagan's Mind
Their new release, Celestial Entrance, has got to be THE finest melodic metal disc I have ever heard. This Norwegian band combines elements of Dream Theater with the vocal stylings of (early) Queensryche as well as fellow natives Roy Khan (Kamelot) and Tore Østby (ARK) - originally from Conception. But they manage to remain completely unique to themselves without sounding too much like any of the above mentioned bands.
You can read a couple of reviews at Progressiveworld and PowerProg Online
Also, they have just been confirmed to play at PowerProg Europe 2003!!
~Check'em out

