Omen

Omen is a foundational pillar of the US Power Metal (USPM) movement, formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by guitarist Kenny Powell. Unlike the European power metal scene which leaned toward symphonic and neoclassical elements, Omen championed a darker, more aggressive sound rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Their early trilogy on Metal Blade Records - Battle Cry, Warning of Danger, and The Curse - is considered essential listening for the genre. D. Kimball, whose raspy, authoritative tone provided a 'barbaric' edge to their lyrical themes of mythology and warfare. While the band experimented with a more commercial sound on 1988's Escape to Nowhere, they eventually returned to their traditional roots. Omen remains a cult favorite among heavy metal traditionalists, frequently cited alongside peers like Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol for their 'epic' yet unpolished aesthetic. Their influence persists in the modern 'New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal' (NWOTHM) scene.