“ODDKO is the animal within – the wild beast longing to break free of society’s cage.”
ODDKO is an LA-based independent alternative/industrial metal band spawned from the mind of director and motion designer Giovanni Bucci (Korn, Jane’s Addiction, Fleshgod Apocalypse), who started the band as a way to fully express himself in all dimensions, using the music to fuel the images and then feed back into the music.
Their debut EP, Digital Gods was written and composed by Giovanni, and for the initial recording he tracked guitars, bass, and electronics, and programmed drums. Subsequently he recorded the tracks with the help of Francesco Paoli (Fleshgod Apocalypse) and Dave Tavanti (Kpanic). Production and recording of cellos, violins, drums, bass, guitar and various arrangements were orchestrated by Daniele Marinelli. The final magic touches were applied in Los Angeles with the help of producer/sound engineer Rob Romano, and the EP was mastered by Howie Weinberg (Rammstein, Madonna, Metallica).
The self-released 5-track EP Digital Gods can be found on all digital streaming platforms. The sound includes a range of influences from metal and alternative to classical, electronic, and cinematic sounds.
ODDKO self-produces their videos under the banner of production company Void N’ Disorder, helmed by Giovanni and his creative partner Paola Rocchetti, and a group of family, fans, and friends who volunteer their time to create boundary-pushing works of art that look like major Hollywood productions.
Currently, the band is building a community of collaborators that want to work with the band to create more visuals and music. ODDKO wants to encourage both new talent and old hands to participate in creating more art and maybe learn a trick or two in the process. Interested? Send a message on Instagram: @oddko_official
The video for Disobey delivers a dark and surreal experience, a taste of the band’s observations on contemporary society. The fast-paced editing connects different surreal environments, and the overload of imagery leaves the viewer dazed and stunned. Music and visuals are seamlessly integrated as Disobey explores the themes of Man vs. Machine and Nature vs. Technology, while depicting the goddess Hekate as a 21st Century nightmare, ensnaring victims and bending them to her will. The video beckons to the beast within, the hungry animal straining against the leash. A call to the wild — to disobey.
The groundbreaking video went on to win many awards, including Best Metal and Horror Video at the LA Music Video Awards, as well as both Silver and Bronze Telly awards. To find out more about the concepts behind the video and get a sense of all the work that went into making this video, take a look at this behind-the-scenes:
D4TM is a video set in a Mad Max-like desert dystopia, and shows the chaotic results of people taking a drug that is supposed to heal them from any ailment and instead controls them. The video explores the notion that so many people are dependent on mind-altering drugs of all sorts to be able to function, and end up spiralling deeper into their dependencies rather than taking charge of their lives and making lasting changes.
ODDKO was recognized at the LA Movie Awards, where D4TM won in five categories: Best Music Video, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design.
ODDKO has designed a line of apparel inspired by the imagery from Disobey, and made with hand-stitched details and durable materials, in keeping with the idea that our world needs to turn away from throwaway culture, and instead focus on the quality of what we surround ourselves with. You can get it here.
Prior to ODDKO, Gio blazed his own trail in the film industry. His background is multicultural, spending his life across four countries (Italy, Netherlands, UK and USA), which has deeply influenced his approach to music and art. He has directed two award-winning videos for Korn, was a motion designer for the tile sequences of Star Trek, RoboCop and Pacific Rim, and has worked on a slew of high-profile projects. You can find out more about him on his website.
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WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ODDKO:
James ‘Munky’ Shaffer from Korn
Amazing!! That shit is dark n scary, I love it!
Spencer Kaufman from C.O.S. (Consequences of Sound)
“Stunning video for the single “Disobey”.”
Joshua Millican from Dread Central
“Disobey is, legitimately, fantastic. I really dig the tunes and vibe”
Zardonic
“Sick track and video”
Andy Marsh from Thy Art Is Murder
“That oddko music video is insane.”
Francesco Paoli from Fleshgod Apocalypse about Giovanni Bucci (aka ODDKO)
This guy is one of the most talented individuals I ever met in the music business.
Emily Lazar from September Mourning
“You have always been a genius at visual art and this is no exception. Congrats!”
Lauren Hart from Once Human
“I am in love with your work!!!”
Brian Welch from Korn
“That looks crazy, creepy, disturbing, futuristic…. so awesome!”
Francesco Ferrini from Fleshgod Apocalypse
“The amazingly talented Giovanni Bucci at his finest with this mind-blowing project: ODDKO (feat. Francesco Paoli Official on drums). This music video is one of the most visionary I’ve ever seen.”
Revolvermag
“Hear ODDKO’s Dark, Brooding New Alt-Metal Song “The Strangers””
Bernard Van Isacker from Side-Line Magazine
“ODDKO launch sensational video”
Dan Sarto publisher and Editor at AWN (Animation World Network)
“Outrageous maelstrom of sights and sounds, Disobey is both intoxicating and satisfying at the same time.”
Christopher Gonda from Puregrain Audio
“Oddko is making waves thanks in large to their trippy new music video for the single “Disobey”.”
David Knight from Promonews
“In command of both sound and vision, Bucci has seamlessly integrated them both.”
Uberrock.co.uk
“The video is simply stunning! Well, there is one way to make a big impression with your first single, and is to go huge from the off, which the one-man project that is ODDKO certainly has done, to great effect! There’s a healthy mix of industrial and alt-rock musically, whilst the video is simply stunning!”
Patrick Walch from Noble Demon / ex-Nuclear Blast
“That video and song are AMAZING!!”
Alexis V. Mincolla from 3Teeth
“I think you’ve got something special”
Lucas Banker
“Sounds and looks beyond amazing!!!”