Omen is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1984, the group originally consisted of lead vocalist J. D. Kimball, guitarist Kenny Powell, bassist Jody Henry and drummer Steve Wittig. Powell is the only remaining original member of the band, which now features drummer Reece Stanley, vocalist Nikos Migus Antonogiannakis (both since 2017) and bassist Justin Riddler (since 2022).
History Following his departure from Savage Grace, guitarist Kenny Powell formed Omen in March 1984 with lead vocalist J. D. Kimball, bassist Jody Henry and drummer Steve Wittig. The band signed with Metal Blade Records and released their debut album Battle Cry that September. After subsequent releases Warning of Danger, The Curse and Nightmares, Kimball was fired in March 1987 due to ongoing problems with alcohol abuse, which had resulted in several instances of "unpredictable and violent" behavior including damaging a locker room at a show and starting fights with other band members. He was replaced by Coburn Pharr. The new lineup recorded Escape to Nowhere in the summer of 1988, but Wittig was replaced by Cam Daigneault before its release, as according to Powell he "was at the point in his life where he was wanting to settle down and have kids and stuff". After touring in promotion of Escape to Nowhere into 1989, Omen broke up and Powell moved away.
Powell reformed Omen in 1996 with his son Greg on vocals and guitar, Andy Haas on bass, and Rick Murray on drums. By 1998, Greg Powell had been replaced by Kevin Goocher. The new lineup released Eternal Black Dawn in September 2003. In 2004, Omen was put on temporary hiatus as Goocher and Powell formed Phantom-X with bassist Glenn Malicki and drummer Danny White. When the band returned in August 2006, both Malicki and White had joined the lineup. By March 2008, the lineup had changed entirely to feature Matt Story on vocals, Scott Clute on bass and original member Steve Wittig back on drums. Due to "passport issues", however, Story's place was quickly taken by ASKA frontman George Call. By March 2009, Danny White had returned to replace the outgoing Wittig. For a short South American tour in the summer, Call and White were replaced by Dantesco members Erico Morales and Wampa Zayas, respectively, before returning for later shows in Europe.
By the end of 2009, Andy Haas had returned to replace Clute. The new lineup released one song, "Blood on the Water", which was featured on the 2010 compilation Blood, Steel, Vengeance. In December 2010, Omen announced the permanent departures of George Call and Danny White, who were replaced by Matt Story and Wampa Zayas, respectively. By early 2012, Wittig had returned for a third tenure, replacing Zayas. Two years later, Kevin Goocher returned to the band, replacing Story. After Story's departure, Kenny Powell recorded the entirety of the next Omen album by himself (he claimed there was "no money to fly [Wittig] out" to play drums and Haas was taking care of his children after the death of his wife), with Goocher adding vocals after his arrival.
In February 2017, Powell and Goocher unveiled a new lineup of Omen including bassist Roger Sisson and drummer Reece Stanley. After releasing the song "Up from the Deep", Goocher left Omen for a second time in June 2017, blaming "internal differences". He was replaced in October by Greek vocalist Nikos Migus Antonogiannakis. The new lineup released the single "Alive" in 2018. In August 2022, the band announced the replacement of Sisson by Justin Riddler. Coburn Pharr stood in for two shows that year when Antonogiannakis was unable to perform due to illness, marking his last appearance with the band before his death in 2025.
Members Current Name Years active Instruments Release contributionsKenny Powellall Omen releasesReece Stanley2017–presentdrumsNikos Migus Antonogiannakislead vocals"Alive" (2018)Justin Riddler2022–presentbassnone to date
Former Name Years active Instruments Release contributionsJody Henry1984–1989Steve WittigdrumsJohn "J. D." Kimball1984–1987lead vocalsCoburn PharrEscape to Nowhere (1988)Cam Daigneault1988–1989drumsnoneAndy HaasbassRick Murray1996–2004drumsGreg Powell1996–1998Reopening the Gates (1997)Kevin Goocherlead vocalsDanny Whitedrums"Blood on the Water" (2010)Glenn Malicki2006–2008bassnoneScott Clute2008–2009Matt Storylead vocalsGeorge Call2008–2010"Blood on the Water" (2010)Wampa ZayasdrumsnoneRoger Sisson2017–2022bass
Stand-in Name Years active Instruments DetailsErico "La Bestia" Morales2009 lead vocalsMorales and Wampa Zayas filled in for George Call and Danny White, respectively, for South American shows in summer 2009.
Timeline
Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesMarch 1984–March 1987J. D. Kimball — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Jody Henry — bass, backing vocals Steve Wittig — drumsBattle Cry (1984) Warning of Danger (1985) The Curse (1986) Nightmares (1987) Live at the Country Club, Los Angeles, September 1984 (2003)April 1987–summer 1988Coburn Pharr — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Jody Henry — bass, backing vocals Steve Wittig — drumsEscape to Nowhere (1988)Summer 1988–1989Coburn Pharr — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Jody Henry — bass, backing vocals Cam Daigneault — drumsBand inactive 1990–19951996–1998Greg Powell — lead vocals, guitar Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Andy Haas — bass Rick Murray — drumsReopening the Gates (1997)1998–2004Kevin Goocher — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Andy Haas — bass Rick Murray — drumsEternal Black Dawn (2003)Band on hiatus 2004–2006August 2006–March 2008Kevin Goocher — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Glenn Malicki — bass Danny White — drumsrowspan="4" March 2008Matt Story — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Scott Clute — bass Steve Wittig — drumsMarch 2008–March 2009George Call — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Scott Clute — bass Steve Wittig — drumsMarch–December 2009George Call — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Scott Clute — bass Danny White — drumsDecember 2009–December 2010George Call — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Andy Haas — bass Danny White — drums"Blood on the Water" (2010)December 2010–early 2012Matt Story — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Andy Haas — bass Wampa Zayas — drumsrowspan="2" Early 2012–October 2014Matt Story — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Andy Haas — bass Steve Wittig — drumsOctober 2014–February 2017Kevin Goocher — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Andy Haas — bass Steve Wittig — drumsHammer Damage (2016) February–June 2017Kevin Goocher — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Roger Sisson — bass Reece Stanley — drums"Up from the Deep" (2017)October 2017–August 2022Nikos Migus A. — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Roger Sisson — bass Reece Stanley — drums"Alive" (2018)August 2022–presentNikos Migus A. — lead vocals Kenny Powell — guitar, backing vocals Justin Riddler — bass Reece Stanley — drumsnone to date
References
External links Omen official website