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Omen (band)

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Omen
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHeavy metal, power metal
Years active1983–1988, 1996–present
LabelsKRP, Metal Blade, DSN
MembersKenny Powell
Justin Riddler
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 formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by lead guitarist Kenny Powell.

History

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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

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Main article: List of Omen band 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

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Studio albums

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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

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

EPs

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Date of Release Title Label
April 1987 Nightmares Metal Blade

Compilation albums

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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

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

Video albums

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

References

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  1. ^ "Metal Blade Records". Metalblade.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 262. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
  3. ^ Pearis, Bill. "Hell's Heroes announced 2024 lineup (Sodom, Autopsy, Queensrÿche, Candlemass, more!)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  4. ^ "Hell's Heroes Will Be 'Special,' Necrofier Frontman Promises". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  5. ^ "Omen – È morto Jody Henry, il bassista originale della band". Loud and Proud. October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  6. ^ "Omen – Hammer Damage". Metal Storm. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
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