Omen (band)

Omen
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal, power metal
Years active	1983–1988, 1996–present
Labels	KRP, Metal Blade, DSN
Members	Kenny Powell Roger Sisson Reece Stanley Nikos Migus A.
Past members	Steve 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 formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by lead guitarist Kenny Powell.

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 in 1984, with whom they released their debut, Battle Cry. (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, which 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. 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; 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 lineup

• Nikos Migus A. – vocals (2017-present)
• Kenny Powell – guitar (1983–1989, 1996-present)
• Justin Riddler - bass (2022-present)
• Reece Stanley – drums (2017-present)

Previous members

• J.D. Kimball – vocals (1983–1987; died 2003)
• Coburn Pharr – vocals (1987–1989)
• Greg Powell – vocals, guitar (1996–1998)
• Kevin Goocher – vocals (1998–2009, 2014–2017)
• George Call – vocals (2009–2011)
• Matt Story – vocals (2011–2014)
• Jody Henry – bass (1983–1989)
• Andy Haas – bass (1996–2005, 2009–2017)
• Roger Sisson – bass (2017-2022)
• Scott Clute – bass (2005–2007)
• Glenn Malicki – bass (2007–2009)
• Steve Wittig – drums (1983–1988, 2012–2017)
• Cam Daigneault – drums (1988–1989)
• Rick Murray – drums (1996–2005)
• Danny White – drums (2005–2010)
• Wampa Zayas – drums (2010–2012)

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	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

External links

• "Omen | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
• Omen at AllMusic