Welcome to Artist Spotlight & Style Guide, our new series where we introduce you to fresh and exciting artists you need to hear now! This week we’re shining a light on the Paris, France-based alternative metalcore act ODC! Fresh on the heels of the release of their 2025 debut album Twisted Love, ODC are steadily amassing a devoted fanbase drawn to the band’s hybrid, genre-bending sound and unfiltered lyrical honesty. Produced by Kellen McGregor, the guitarist of metalcore veterans Memphis May Fire, Twisted Love is essential listening for anyone who craves massive guitar riffs, pummeling breakdowns, soaring choruses and infectious pop elements paired with the confident swagger of modern hip-hop. While ODC is currently making a name for themselves across Europe, it is only a matter of time before they bring their incendiary live energy across the pond and dominate the global music scene as a whole.
In an exclusive interview with Haus Of Cult, ODC vocalist Celia Do breaks down the origins of the band, their debut album Twisted Love, the French heavy music scene, style and fashion + so much more.
Can you walk us through the formation of the band and how you all came together? What were your musical influences and goals for this project when it started?
Celia Do: ODC started in 2017. At the time, I wasn’t trying to build a band with a clear roadmap. I needed a space to express myself and channel my emotions through music. I began working with a composer and a lyricist, and it was very instinctive. There was no strategy, no long-term plan, just the desire to create together. From the beginning, ODC has always been hybrid. Our influences naturally blended progressive metal, modern metal, and classic rock. As the project evolved, other musicians joined organically, and ODC grew into what it is today. It was never about fitting into a specific category, more about following a journey.
For someone hearing ODC for the first time, how would you describe your sound and overall vibe, as well as the first song you would want people to hear?
Celia Do: ODC has a hybrid sound that sits somewhere between rock, metal, and pop. What I really enjoy is building a bridge between hard rock and more modern metal.The common thread is emotion, intensity, vulnerability, and contrast. The overall vibe is raw emotion, a lot of energy, and a modern rock approach that makes people move and sing along. The first song I’d want people to hear is “WANTED.” It captures the balance between heaviness and melody and reflects the emotional core of the project.
Your debut album Twisted Love dropped last year. What was the process like putting this album together, both sonically and lyrically? What do you hope listeners will take away from this release?
Celia Do: For this album, I worked with several composers who truly understand ODC’s DNA and were able to bring new colors and sounds to the project. Vocally and lyrically, it’s a long process of trial and error. I record a lot at home, constantly rewrite, exchange ideas with the musicians and the lyricist, and sometimes let songs go if they don’t feel right. I’m very demanding with myself, because translating an emotion accurately is difficult. What I hope listeners take away from Twisted Love is honesty, the feeling that these songs come from a real place, without masks or shortcuts.
What song from Twisted Love holds the most significance and meaning to you and why?
Celia Do: “I Need to Breathe” is one of the most significant songs for me. It allowed me to express the rage and anxiety I had buried deep inside toward a specific person. It was a way to free myself. ODC often starts from a dark observation but carries a message of hope. The idea of rebirth after being crushed, after losing your freedom, fascinates and haunts me, and it’s something I talk about a lot in our songs.
Are there any artists, bands, or producers you dream of ODC collaborating with in the future?
Celia Do: I’m more driven by artistic connection than by names, but I deeply admire artists who blend intensity with vulnerability. QUEEN has always been a huge influence for me, not only musically, but in terms of freedom, emotion, and identity.I’m also very open to collaborations that come from unexpected places, as long as they make sense emotionally.
ODC is based in France. How has your environment shaped your overall sound, and how has the heavy metal scene in France evolved over the years?
Celia Do: Being based in France gives us a certain distance from scenes that are more codified.The French metal scene has grown tremendously over the years. It’s more visible, more diverse, and more confident.That environment gives us the freedom to take risks, mix styles naturally, and not feel trapped by expectations.
Who or what is your biggest style icon or inspiration?
Celia Do: I’m a big fan of gothic chic fashion.One of my biggest inspirations is the French singer Mylène Farmer, who perfectly embodies that gothic mindset and aesthetic for me, both visually and emotionally. Her music videos are a huge source of inspiration.
What is your process like when putting together outfits for your live shows?
Celia Do: I’m very focused on creating something classy, glamorous, and couture.I want my outfits to feel powerful but elegant, never like a costume. One day, I’d love to collaborate with a haute couture brand. Someone like Alexander McQueen really resonates with my vision.
Celia Do wearing the Le Fay Necklace + Solstice Spell Sweater
Outside of music, what does a typical day in your life look like, and do you have any hobbies or routines that help keep you grounded?
Celia Do: Sports, especially weight training, is extremely important to me. It gives me the physical and mental balance I need to handle everyday life. It’s a key part of staying grounded and focused.
If ODC’s music could be the soundtrack to any film or TV show, what would it be and why?
Celia Do: Something dark, emotional, and intense, maybe a psychological drama or a series exploring inner conflict and human fragility.I’m drawn to stories where nothing is black or white, where characters are complex and raw. That’s where ODC’s music would naturally fit.
Looking ahead, what is next for ODC in terms of new music, touring, or anything else people should be excited about?
Celia Do: Right now, the focus is on bringing Twisted Love to the stage and letting the songs live in a different way. At the same time, we’re already thinking about what comes next musically. And yes, some very nice surprises are coming.
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “MY NAME IS GOLD” BY ODC BELOW
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