| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Genre | Heavy metal, power metal |
| Years active | 1983–1988, 1996–present |
| Label | KRP, Metal Blade, DSN |
| Current members | Kenny Powell Justin Riddler 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[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] 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] which contained "Thorn in Your Flesh". This track 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.
In 2019 they released a new EP named “Alive”.
Omen is still touring Europe, South America, and the USA.
The band played at the Hell's Heroes music festival held in Houston in March 2024.[3] They returned to the festival the following year.[4] Later in 2025, former bass guitarist Jody Henry died from a brain haemorrhage on October 12.[5]
Members
Current members
- Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals (1984–1989, 1996–present)
- Reece Stanley — drums (2017–present)
- Nikos Migus Antonogiannakis — lead vocals (2017–present)
- Justin Riddler — bass (2022–present)
Former members
- Jody Henry — bass, backing vocals (1984–1989; died 2025)
- Steve Wittig — drums (1984–1988, 2008–2009, 2012–2017)
- John "J. D." Kimball — lead vocals (1984–1987; died 2003)
- Coburn Pharr — lead vocals (1987–1989; died 2025)
- Cam Daigneault — drums (1988–1989)
- Andy Haas — bass (1996–2004, 2009–2017)
- Rick Murray — drums (1996–2004)
- Greg Powell — lead vocals, guitar (1996–1998)
- Kevin Goocher — lead vocals (1998–2008, 2014–2017)
- Danny White — drums (2006–2008, 2009–2010)
- Glenn Malicki — bass (2006–2008)
- Scott Clute — bass (2008–2009)
- Matt Story — lead vocals (2008, 2010–2014)
- George Call — lead vocals (2008–2010)
- Wampa Zayas — drums (2009, 2010–2012)
- Roger Sisson — bass (2017–2022)
Discography
Studio albums
| 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[6] | Hammer Damage | DSN Music |
Live albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| December 20, 2011 | Into the Arena | DSN Music |
EPs
| Date of Release | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| April 1987 | Nightmares | Metal Blade |
Compilation albums
| 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
- ^ "Metal Blade Records". Metalblade.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ Colin Larkin (ed.) (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal. Second ed. Guinness Publishing. p. 262. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
- ^ Pearis, Bill. "Hell's Heroes announced 2024 lineup (Sodom, Autopsy, Queensrÿche, Candlemass, more!)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ "Hell's Heroes Will Be 'Special,' Necrofier Frontman Promises". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ^ "Omen – È morto Jody Henry, il bassista originale della band". Loud and Proud. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ^ "Omen – Hammer Damage". Metal Storm. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
External links
- "Omen | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.