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. 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. They returned to the festival the following year. Later in 2025, former bass guitarist Jody Henry died from a
brain haemorrhage on October 12. ==Members==