In two short years, Odium has established themselves as a band hell bent on scratching their way out from underneath their rural underpinnings. It’s no secret that it’s been a slow and steady climb, but sometimes developing a solid foundation is imperative to any structure’s longevity. With Odium, their dedication to detail and willingness to latch onto each other’s strengths is a combination that’s could inevitably transport the band onto bigger stages with bigger spotlights in the very near future.
With that their future looked bright and forever hopeful and just recently they went to unleash their latest album "Burning the Bridges to Nowhere" showcasing their newest and latest musical abilities. Drummer Joe Mullen discusses with me the band's latest album, song writing techique and upcoming plans for here on out!
1. What type of band are you?
We are a melodic metal band. We have both clean and screamed vocals, crushing riffs, and lots of double bass. Also, we enjoy exploring different ways to integrate more atmospheric, dark, and creepy moments. Enough to keep any listener fully stimulated.
2. Who was it that decided it would be an insane idea to form ODIUM?
I believe it was Tom’s idea. I can remember in grade 9 how I always used to bum cigarettes off him. Every damn day I would ask him…haha Anyway, he told me he had a band he was putting together and needed a bass player. We began writing songs together and discovered we had a great writing chemistry. 12 years later I can still say that. So in general, it’s the writing chemistry him and I share that was the spark for Odium.
3. Where does a name like that come from anyway?
Odium refers to how people can change their life situation through suffering and extreme discontent for where they currently are. By pursuing this band we are doing what we love. No matter what stage we are at on our journey to realizing a life long dream we appreciate it fully. We know we are doing what we love every day and that is all that matters.
4. How does Burning The Bridges To Nowhere compare to At The Bottom?
Over the time that it took to write and record this new album we have grown a lot as people, as a band, and as musicians. We feel that BTBTNW is a direct reflection of that.
5. Where did the title Burning The Bridges To Nowhere mean is there a story behind it?
BTBTNW is about overcoming old thought patterns and stepping into a completely new and aware state of mind. If you look at our last record, it’s mostly about inner struggle. About being completely immersed in suffering, not seeing the light. Which is an interesting progression from the first album to the second. I would say BTBTNW is an album about awakening.
6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Since Tom writes all the lyrics I can’t really explain them. But I can say they have a lot to do with his personal journey in life. It’s very interesting to be around when he’s coming up with lyrics. It almost seems like the words flow through him. In the 12 years I have known him, I have never seen him struggle for even one word. That’s pretty damn good. He writes from somewhere deep within “Tom Land” and when he sings you can most definitely hear that it comes form the exact same place.
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Yes. The songwriting process for us begins in my studio. The guys will come in with some riffs they have been working on or Tom will have an idea for a Chorus etc. I will program a drumbeat and we will record whatever riffs we have. Once this is down we take a step back and try to arrange the songs as best we can. Tom is especially good at this part. At this point there is usually a lot of on the spot writing. Bridging parts, creating completely new parts etc. Once we have an arrangement down, TOM writes up the lyrics and then him and I will work on vocal pre production. After that, I take the song and write drums to it and then create the backing track for playing it live.
8. Who are your musical influences?
Personally, my grandfather who played drumms till he was 85, my high school music teacher who taught me “when” to play, my Dad who bought me my first guitar and also drum set, and my life, its ups and downs and all the rest. Music had always been there. I am a born musician, a born performer.
9. Can you tell me about your music video for the song "No Way Out"?
Yes. It’s badass! It’s our third video out and third video with Chad Archibald. He is super pro and the results he gets blow are minds every time. We shot it in the woods in Rockwood Ontario. There is a storyline and then a bunch of live shots of us playing amongst the trees. I gotta say it was a hell of a lot warmer than the video we did for At the Bottom!
10. How amazing do you think 2012 has been for you as a band so far?
It has been the most successful year to date. We have an amazing manager now, a publicist, a booking agent, big ass tour van, and a new online merch store in the works. We are more excited than ever!
11. Can you think back to how life was for you before joining the Year of The Sun Records family and think how things changed for you once you joined?
Year of the Sun is a small record label out of Guelph. YOTS released our records and did a professional job at that. It helped to generate interest in the band and increase our online presence. We are very appreciative of what YOTS has done for us and would recommend them to any up and coming band.
12. As an up and coming band and part of Year of The Sun Records - what do you think you can bring to the music scene?
Metal that is written from the soul. Not your average metal band you’ve seen at every under ground metal show. It connects with people. Communicates some type of universal force of oneness and full creativity.
13. How have you found the reaction to your music in the US music scene since progressing and developing as a band?
Our publicist recently said, “Odium is on fire in the states” he cannot keep up with the requests for albums for radio stations and interviews. Awesome.
14. Is there a song that when you play it live on stage makes your adrenaline levels kick in and make you want to go hyper?
15. Speaking of the stage when will you be hitting the road touring-wise anytime soon?
We are exploring tour options for the fall and into the New Year. We have had a very promising response from the US as well so we will be touring there in the New Year.
16. How easy is it to keep the motivation going on a daily basis for ODIUM?
Very. I just call our manager and he gets me right where I need to be. He is always on top of every aspect of the band. Since he has joined our team so much has happened for us…how can we not be excited!!!
17. If you could tell people who haven’t heard your music before why they should check you out right now - what would you say?!
Check out our latest video for the song “No Way Out” from our second release Burning the Bridges to Nowhere on YouTube!!
18. What image do you think your music conveys?
Odium is an epic journey thought the complexities of the human mind. Whatever that actually is.
On behalf of Odium I thank you very much for your interest in the band and wish you all the best.
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