Ohm

Ohm (often stylized as Ohm:) is a seminal instrumental power trio formed in 1998 by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland and bassist Robertino 'Pag' Pagliari. Based in Los Angeles, the group became a fixture of the legendary Baked Potato jazz club, representing a bridge between the thrash metal world and the elite fusion scene.

Poland's sound identity is defined by his 'liquid' legato technique and circular vibrato, influenced more by Jan Hammer and Allan Holdsworth than his metal contemporaries. The band's career arc is marked by a revolving door of world-class drummers, including Kofi Baker and the late Nick Menza, which led to the addition of the colon in their name to signify an open-ended lineup. Culturally, they are a 'musician's band,' highly regarded by guitarists for their technical innovation and by fusion fans for maintaining the genre's vitality in the 21st century. Critical consensus highlights their ability to blend heavy rock textures with sophisticated harmonic exploration, avoiding the 'shred' clichés of the era in favor of genuine group improvisation.