History & Biography Omen was one of the first American power metal bands. Powell, Henry and Wittig had moved from Oklahoma to Los Angeles. After not finding a suitable singer or bassist Powell and co. ended up in Savage Grace. Omen was founded by Kenny Powell in April 1984 following his departure from local heroes, Savage Grace. Apparently, Savage Grace would not give Powell room to write music and the man had obtained a deal with Metal Blade even before properly reforming with his old mates to found Omen. Joe Jaimes was an early second guitarist so Henry (who was in a band with Steven Adler of Guns 'N Roses) switched to bass. The band appeared on Metal Massacre V with the wonderful song Torture Me and obtained a contract with Metal Blade. Ironically, Brian Slagel of Metal Blade didn't like Torture Me and it was not included on the debut album, Battle Cry. The album was recorded over the course five days. The early albums were released by Roadrunner in Europe. Battle Cry, the song, was one of the tracks rejected by Savage Grace. The band often appeared in battle gear and armour. The group opened for the likes of Exodus or Lizzy Borden to support Battle Cry.
Nightmares was a 1985 EP. The band threw in the towel after Escape To Nowhere, which featured future Annihilator singer Pharr, but as you would expect returned ten years later with a new line-up that now featured Kenny Powell’s son on vocals. Pharr had joined for the 1988 album, but his departure would end the formation. He had been recruited mid-tour to replace Kimball who seemingly was having substance abuse problems. Singer Coburn was the replacement for Kimball after the latter was not only drunk, but also arrested on tour/ While Daigneault is listed as Escape To Nowhere’s drummer, the album featured Wittig. Escape To Nowhere was a commercial endeavour and featured outside songwriting from producer O’Neill. The group disbanded in 1989 and Metal Blade issued a compilation called The Best Of Omen: Teeth Of The Hydra in the same year. Henry and Wittig disappeared from music, but Powell formed Step Child. This band would issue an album with future Omen label Massacre Records. In Fact, Henry, like Powell, had moved to Texas and founded Cold Ethyl. John Kimball was in Hammer Damage, which also became the title for a future Omen album.
The Omen reformation in 1996 – with only Kenny remaining in the band – featured Step Child bassist Haas. The reformation album Reopening The Gates came with a tour of Europe with Fates Warning. Omen had adopted a more modern sound. The band played two concerts in Greece in 2002 and appeared at the Keep It True festival. J.D. Kimball, who was living in Washington after spending time in San Diego, died of cancer in 2003. He had not been in touch with the others for a decade. A 20th Anniversary Box Set was issued in 2003. The 2003 album, Eternal Black Dawn, was considered a return to form for the act. Multiple members came and went. The band employed various musicians for tours and concerts. The band had played with Aska and two members of that band would become singer and drummer respectively for Omen as well. This formation appeared at Warriors Of Metal III.
Hammer Damage had been promised for years. It had been scrapped and re-recorded given multiple line-up changes including an incarnation for a tour of South America. Powell had had health problems as well. Wittig rejoined in 2012 and remained for five years. Goocher rejoined in 2014 and remained for three years. Three new members joined in 2017 including surprisingly bassist Roger Sisson of early Oklahoma band Rapid Fire. No Remorse Records issued a single, simply called Alive, in 2018. It was also sold on the road. Greg Powell was second guitarist now. Greek singer Nikos Migus A. (Marauder) joined in 2017 as did a couple of other musicians. The band toured Europe, including Skulls Of Metal Festival and Keep It True Rising III, in the autumn of 2023. The band closed 2023 with an appearance at Heavy Metal Maniacs festival with Nasty Savage, Avenger and Desolation Angels in The Netherlands. The band was booked for Hell's Heroes and Built For Speed 2024 in Mexico opening for Exciter next. The band was booked for Hell's Heroes in 2025. Satan was playing a Court In The Act set and Saxon was headlining. Early bassist Jody Henry, who was in the band between 1983 and 1988, died of a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in November of 2025. Omen was in Europe in mid-2026,.
Kenny Powell has developed a reputation over the years for being difficult.
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