Optical 2 (also styled as Optical II) was a collaborative electronic music project formed by Charles Salter, James Black, and Kari Kaivola—three artists also associated with the well-known Finnish dance group 3rd Nation. Created in the 1990s, Optical 2 offered a space for more experimental and club-oriented productions, branching out from the pop-dance style that characterized 3rd Nation’s main catalog.

The project leaned into a more underground electronic sound, blending elements of trance, house, and progressive club music. Though limited in releases, Optical 2’s material gained attention in dance circles for its crisp production and driving rhythms. Their work reflected the dynamic energy of Europe’s late-’90s club scene, where crossover acts often explored deeper sounds under alternate monikers.

While Optical 2 never achieved the mainstream chart presence of some of their contemporaries, the project remains a cult name among collectors and fans of niche electronic music from that era. Their releases are listed on music platforms like Discogs, where they continue to be discovered by DJs and enthusiasts seeking out hidden gems from the period.

Optical 2 stands as a side chapter in the story of Nordic club music—low-profile, but not without impact.