Omen

Although Omen never achieved widespread recognition within metal circles, the group has maintained a devoted cult audience among dedicated headbangers since the early 1980s. The Los Angeles outfit became recognized for its blend of melodic aggression and fantasy-themed power metal in the vein of King Diamond, Queensrÿche, Savatage, Manowar, and Helloween, delivering forceful, hard-charging performances that remained consistently musical and tuneful. Kenny Powell, formerly of the L.A.-based Savage Grace, assembled the band in Los Angeles during 1983; his formative listening included Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, UFO, Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow, and those influences shaped Omen’s Metal Blade and Enigma releases throughout the decade. Early membership alongside Powell featured lead vocalist J.D. Kimball, bassist Jody Henry, and drummer Steve Wittig, though the roster experienced numerous shifts over time. The group secured a deal with the Los Angeles label Metal Blade in 1984 and issued its first album, Battle Cry, which was succeeded by Warning of Danger in 1985, The Curse in 1986, Nightmares in 1987, and Escape to Nowhere in 1988. While glam metal, pop-metal, and hair bands dominated the Sunset Strip and broader L.A./Hollywood scene—where countless acts aspired to emulate Quiet Riot, Poison, or L.A. Guns—Omen stayed rooted in power metal above all else. After Kimball’s departure in 1987, Powell brought in Coburn Pharr as the new frontman; Pharr performed on the 1988 album Escape to Nowhere before Powell placed the project on hiatus. Powell reactivated Omen in 1996, recruiting bassist Andy Haas, drummer Ricky Murray, and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Greg Powell. Unable to locate Kimball, Powell enlisted his son Greg, who contributed vocals to the 1997 comeback release Recovering the Gates before departing to explore a more contemporary alternative-metal style and launch his own project, Stomping Ground. Kevin Goocher, a veteran of the Dallas rock scene, stepped in as replacement vocalist. In 2003 the lineup of Kenny Powell, Kevin Goocher, Ricky Murray, and Andy Haas recorded Eternal Black Dawn for Phoenix-based Crash Music, coinciding with the band’s twentieth anniversary.