https://www.facebook.com/flightofodin
From: Washington D.C.
Sounds like: Doom Metal
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound?
The musicians in Flight of Odin each began musical training at an early age. Each has their own musical history, from classical training to dabbling into various genres, seeking a niche… a place in a musical community to call home.
“Eventually, one faces a mirrorless realization. And when that happens, if fate has it, one will attract likeminded people. That’s what has happened with Flight of Odin.” ~ Xyra
Flight of Odin was founded and named by Xyra in 2015. Since then, the band has undergone several lineup changes before arriving at its current 2026 incarnation, evolving into the Psychedelic Doom Metal genre you hear today. With our first album, “The Only Door”, Flight of Odin cobbled a retro-1970s melodic hard rock sound, interwoven with lyrical references from sociological themes to occult references that carryover into the lyrics to date.
Our recent shift to “Melodic, Psychedelic Doom Metal” is due in great part to our drummer and Doom Metal enthusiast Kenny Finger, brought further into focus by the addition of emotive prodigy guitarist Tyler Beddow. Classically oriented keyboard by multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Cann, and the operatic contralto vocals of Xyra have led us to develop a sound perhaps most akin to the Orchestral Scandinavian Doom band Nightwish.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
We hope to convey to audiences a sense of authenticity… uniqueness that is uncontrived and comes from a deeper place within. Our aim is to create powerful music that leads listeners on a compelling, sonic journey along a path before untrodden.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
One fan famously described Flight of Odin as: “Heart meets Black Sabbath on the one hand, and Dead Can Dance meets The Doors on the other, cliffhanging with Pink Floyd and the mystical side of Led Zeppelin."
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Nightwish, Alunah, Tool.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
Completely against using AI to create music and collect royalties from it. Conversely, however, we use GROK AI for help with video imagery production and with ad and website design. In other words, we use AI to aid in developing visual promotional materials… but never touch it for songwriting composition.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Doom Metal?
Doom music is booming, but there are now so many sub-genres within it, as with the genre “Rock” that it’s hard to keep up. Our preference is melodic Doom with actual vocals. We’re not fans of Death Growls, although many Doom Metal bands incorporate them. Great guitar work is key. Orchestral Doom appears scarcest on the Doom menu.
7. What’s the current local music scene like there in Washington D.C.?
We have noticed little in the way of Doom Metal happening in the DC Metropolitan area. There are many cover, tribute, and Americana bands, besides Jazz and Rap to which we do not relate. We can appreciate great musicianship in any genre and appreciate classical music very much for that reason. Most of the Doom Metal bands seem to be elsewhere… online and in Europe.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
The royalties are unsubstantial, especially through Spotify. Our expectations are low, concerning receipt of royalties.
9. What’s next for Flight of Odin?
Our main goal is to keep things going… to continue creating, sharing, and growing our art. Flight of Odin is not a gigging or touring band, per se. However, we have envisioned developing music and visuals for a lavish yet spooky Doom Metal Opera, and the dream of playing such venues as The Royal Albert Hall.
10. Any shoutouts?
Zachary Moonshine and Raven of Metal Devastation Radio/PR have been immensely helpful, as has Robbie White of WOWD Tacoma Radio in DC. We’d also like to acknowledge our current audio/mixing engineer Brian Jacobs Rivera at BIAS Studios in Springfield Virginia, current mastering engineer Mike Monseur in Nashville Tennessee, and Kevin Gutierrez of Assembly Line Studios in Austin Texas for the great work he did mixing our first album. Additionally, we’d like to recognize Vlad Nowajczyk who recently added Flight of Odin to 32 radio stations worldwide, and extend our thanks to family, friends, fans and supporters online and in real life.
