BLOOD

I'm a huge fan of this side project of Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING) and Kevin Moore (CHROMA KEY). In fact these two guys are two of my favourite musicians and the bands they represent are near the top of my list as well. There are differences between each of the three albums these guys have recorded but if you like one of them chances are you'll like them all. They really combine the Metal of Matheos and the Electronica of Moore to interesting results. The guests this band has had over these three albums has also been impressive. Mike Portnoy played drums on the first two while we get Gavin Harrison this time around. Mikael Akerfeldt sings and plays on one track ("Stockholm") while Tim Bowness also sings on an amazing tune called "No Celebrations" on the bonus disk which is well worth getting.

"The Escape Artist" opens with guitar and synths followed by drums and then it kicks in with heavy riffs. Nice. Vocals follow and I really like the chorus. It settles 3 1/2 minutes in then Matheos comes in grinding away a minute later as it kicks back in. "Terminal" opens with bass and drums as synths join in. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. A very atmospheric and melancholic track. The drums are so crisp 6 minutes in. "False Start" is a straight up rocker. It kicks in heavily right off the hop before settling with electronics. Contrasts continue. Vocals a minute in.The guitar is heavy a minute later. "We Come Undone" opens with some atmosphere then vocals and a beat come in before a minute. Some spoken word samples as well before 3 minutes. A laid back atmospheric tune. "Radiologue" opens with sounds that build before it settles into a cool beat with electronics. Vocals a minute in. Amazing sound after 4 minutes. Great tune that reminds me of CHROMA KEY. "Be The Hero" opens with a haunting atmosphere before kicking in loudly after a minute (it comes and goes). After 2 minutes we get heavy riffs. Vocals join in. I like the catchy line : "He's a hero from coast to coast yeah".

"Microburst Alert" has some incredible drum patterns early then we get vocal samples, then back to the beat as contrasts continue. It kicks in at 2 1/2 minutes. The lyrics for "Stockholm" were written by Akerfeldt but Moore / Matheos wrote the music. The music is dark and atmospheric. Vocals a minute in. It stays fairly laid back until before 5 1/2 minutes in when it turns heavy and intense before settling back down. Love the drumming early on the title track "Blood". Guitar comes in and then keys. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Keys and atmosphere after 3 minutes. A fuller sound with vocals a minute later. I have the bonus disc fortunately because the best song of the lot is "No Celebrations" written and sung by Tim Bowness. I'm surprised at how good his vocals sound with heavy music. They are fantastic ! A nice heavy sound to open and the drums sound incredible. Heaviness follows then Tim comes in. I really like the synths too. Matheos lights it up 3 1/2 minutes in. If your a NO-MAN fan you need to check this song out. "Christian Brothers" is my least favourite. It just doesn't sound like it belongs. It's completely different from all the others. More of a FOO FIGHTERS styed song with f-bombs. It's good but a little out of place. "Terminal (Endless)" is great. Very CHROMA KEY-like and one of my favourites. Lots of atmosphere and electronics with Kevin's melancholic vocals.

Another great OSI album and a solid 4 stars.