OSI, the ORCHESTRA OF STRATEGIC INFLUENCE, was formulated in the summer of 2002 as a heavyweight amalgam of ProgRock talents. Included would be DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, FATES WARNING guitarist Jim Matheos, CHROMA KEY and ex-DREAM THEATER keyboardist Kevin Moore, and GORDIAN KNOT and ex-CYNIC bassist Sean Malone. Initially press reports stated that PAIN OF SALVATION vocalist Daniel Gildenlöw was to front the band but it would later be learned that Moore had opted to take lead vocals. The debut album also saw guest vocals from PORCUPINE TREE frontman Steven Wilson on two tracks.

Matheos, Moore and Portnoy regrouped in mid 2005 to craft a second OSI album entitled 'Free'. FATES WARNING and ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera guested on five tracks. 'Re: Free' arrived in October 2006.

In October 2008 it was learned that OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt had contributed vocals to a song entitled 'Stockholm' at Castillo Sound studios for a new OSI album. Gavin Harrison of PORCUPINE TREE performed studio drum tracks.