# Omen (band)

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,. 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;, 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.

## 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; died 2025)
* 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)
* Scott Clute – bass (2005–2007)
* Glenn Malicki – bass (2007–2009)
* Roger Sisson – bass (2017–2022)
* Steve Wittig – drums (1983–1988, 2012–2017)
* Cam Daigneault – drums (1988–1989)
* Rick Murray – drums (1996–2005)
* Danny White – drums (2005–2009)
* Wampa Zayas – drums (2009–2012)

### Timeline
## Discography
### Studio albums

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