Omen (band)

Omen
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHeavy metal, speed metal, power metal
Years active1983–1988, 1996–present
LabelsKRP, Metal Blade, DSN
Associated actsSavage Grace, Annihilator, Phantom-x
MembersKenny Powell
Roger Sisson
Reece Stanley
Nikos Migus A.
Past membersSteve Whittig
Kevin Goocher
Coburn Pharr
J.D. Kimball
Greg Powell
Glenn Malicki
Scott Clute
Jody Henry
Cam Daigneault
Rick Murray
George Call
Danny White
Wampa Zayas
Andy Haas

Omen is an American heavy metal band.

History

The band was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983 by lead guitarist Kenny Powell, previously with the band Savage Grace, and signed on with Metal Blade[1] in 1984, with whom they released their debut, Battle Cry.[2] (It contained the song "The Axeman", which appeared on the soundtrack for the heavy metal themed 2009 video game Brütal Legend.)

In 1985, the second album Warning of Danger followed,[2] which could easily compare with their debut, and built up Omen's reputation as one of the forefathers of power metal acts. In 1986, they released The Curse, their first release with major label distribution by Capitol Records in the US.[2] In Japan the band climbed to number 14 in the Burrn! Charts.

With new singer Coburn Pharr (who would later leave to join Annihilator), the band released Escape to Nowhere in 1988;[2] although considered a departure from the classic Omen sound, "Thorn in Your Flesh" was their first hit single in the US.

In 1996, they signed with new label Massacre Records and toured Europe with Fates Warning for the first time. In October 2003, their former singer, J.D. Kimball, died, having succumbed to cancer after three years of treatment.

Currently, Omen has released seven studio albums worldwide, and a 20th anniversary box set. The release Hammer Damage has been delayed for more than eight years and was released in 2016 via DSN Music.

Members

Current line-up
  • Nikos Migus A. – vocals
  • Kenny Powell – guitar
  • Roger Sisson – bass
  • Reece Stanley – drums

Previous members
  • J.D. Kimball – vocals
  • Kevin Goocher – vocals
  • Matt Story – vocals
  • Coburn Pharr – vocals
  • Jody Henry – bass
  • Andy Haas – bass
  • Greg Powell – vocals
  • Cam Daigneault – drums
  • Chris Holly – guitar
  • Rick Murray – drums
  • Glenn Malicki – bass
  • Wampa Zayas – drums
  • Steve Wittig – drums

Timeline

Discography

Studio
Date of Release Title Label
November 1984 Battle Cry Metal Blade
October 1985 Warning of Danger
October 1986 The Curse
October 1988 Escape to Nowhere
March 1997 Reopening the Gates Massacre
September 15, 2003 Eternal Black Dawn Crash
May 31, 2016[3] Hammer Damage DSN Music

Live
Date of Release Title Label
December 20, 2011 Into the Arena DSN Music

EPs
Date of Release Title Label
April 1987 Nightmares Metal Blade

Compilations
Date of Release Title Label
November 1989 Teeth of the Hydra Metal Blade
January 1998 Battle Anthems Metal Invader
2010 Blood – Steel – Vengeance KRP
December 20, 2011 Into the Arena DSN Music

Box sets
Date of Release Title Label
September 10, 2003 20th Anniversary Box Set Metal Blade

Video albums
Date of Release Title Label
September 10, 2003 Live at the Country Club, Los Angeles, September 1984 Metal Blade

References
  1. "Metal Blade Records". Metalblade.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  2. Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 262. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
  3. "Omen - Hammer Damage". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
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