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The Fantastic Album Cover Art of Omen

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The artwork for the cover is indeed ingenious. What I like most about it is the same thing that always captures me when looking at any artwork- it makes me think. Thought provoking, time consuming, I could spent hours looking at it and still be amazed. I try to envision what the artist was thinking at the moment. The point that was trying to be made, or got across to me the consumer. I often go back and look at it a day or two later and often, if not always find something new about it.
To put it into different words I “see” it differently. I try my hardest to look into the art, not just at it. The artist takes there time to put there vision into reality, the least I can do is appreciate it to the fullest. I try and show them a little respect and look at things from there point of view. The fantastic album cover art of Omen, never lets me down. Simply engorging, it allows me the time to become a kid again. I fantasize,I stare, I dissect, I simply take the time to enjoy. Look for yourself, and you’ll see.

Meatless Switches to Try Today

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re interested in cooking you may have noticed an influx of vegetarian and even vegan cooking ideas on your TV and your Wireless clear internet. As it turns out, meatless meals are on the rise but if you’re not used to eating without a protein try some of these easy swaps –
Eggplant as meat: Eggplant actually works great in dishes like lasagna and particularly eggplant parmesan. It’s big and holds up to sauce and it’s got a great flavor to boot – they’re still available this time of year so find out how to cook them!
Mushrooms: Mushrooms are probably the biggest hero in the vegan world – they’ve got a really earthy, meaty flavor and they’re sturdy enough to act as a meat patty or even cook down into a sauce. Just remember to clean them well.
Tofu: It’s great for your body and Asian cooks already know what to do with it. To make tofu palatable you’ve got to marinate it to impart flavor – think adding it to soups or even noodle dishes to add some extra substance.

Best of Omen: Top Tracks from Each Album

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Los Angeles-based Omen signed with Metal Blade Records late in 1984. Two years and three albums later, the heavy metal foursome of lead guitarist Kenny Powell, vocalist J.D. Kimball, drummer Steve Wittig and bassist Jody Henry hit what would later turn out as a creative and commercial peak. Never quite “making it” on the level of a band like Metallica when metal went mainstream in the second half of the eighties, though you couldn’t really tell listening to the songs on this compilation.

Listen to the first track and you’ll hear the potential’s there: Holy Martyr, from the third album, grabs your attention from the start with an impressively polished and, what’s more, annoyingly familiar intro. You’ll spend just as much time mouthing Kimball’s hair-raising vocals as you will racking your brains trying to name just which million-selling Metallica or Slayer album you’ve heard Powell’s riffs from before; This when Omen completed their best work before there were any million-selling Metallica albums.

So it’s a shame Omen missed the boat. Kimball left and the band stopped releasing material after 1988, right before heavy metal really took off, when even acts like Pantera became radio-friendly; not that Omen didn’t leave behind a few gems, many of them on Best of Omen:

Hell’s Gates: The last track, and my pick of the compilation; awesome intro, obviously much-imitated, and the rest of the song lives up to a promising beginning (If a little short.), From Warning of Danger.

Bounty Hunter: Omen does really good spoken intros. The rest of it, try and tell me Pantera wasn’t channeling Omen. A lot, From The Curse.

Dragon’s Breath: On the other hand, this one shows Omen’s roots, like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and the kind of music Omen made in general. The kind Viking berserkers listen to before going into battle, battleaxes held high, from the album Battle Cry, naturally.

The average Metallica or Megadeth fan probably hasn’t heard of Omen. But, listening to this collection of tracks, a case can be made they’ve heard Omen just the same. Still, for those who aren’t history buffs, this one stands on its own.

The Classic Albums of the Metal Blade Years

admin — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Metal Blade records has been at it for many years, getting their start in the early 1980s when owner Brian Slagel decided to get a group of bands together for a compilation album. From classic artists such as Manowar and Metallica, to more modern Death Metal acts such as Cannibal Corpse and Cattle Decapitation, they have been paving the way for metal-heads and music lovers alike for decades.

Getting their start by releasing the compilation album, Metal Massacre, Metal Blade has become a force to be reckoned with. With Metal Massacre featuring classic artists Metallica, Ratt, Steeler and Avatar, it was clear that Brian Slagel meant business and was ready to take the music world by storm. Though the label never ended up actually signing Metallica, they have enjoyed a wide variety of amazing artists. Aside from Manowar and Cannibal Corpse, the label features legendary artists like Fates Warning, Trouble, Flotsam & Jetsam, GWAR and Corrosion of Conformity.

With bands such as these to back them up, Metal Blade continues to grow even to this day. In a world dominated by pop music and radio rock, this major-minor label is still making a name by giving talented metal bands a place to share their music with the masses.If you like what you see, keep going: Metal Blade Records Pulls Out of Spotify

Kenny Powell: The Man Behind the Band

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Omen happened to be one of the greatest metal bands in the 80′s, and achieved great success through their first three albums-Battle Cry, Warning of Danger, and The Curse. Omen originally consisted of four people: Kenny Powell, Jody Henry, J.D. Kimball, and and Steve Wittig. However, though the band thrived during their first three records, they soon lost popularity and backed out of the metal band spotlight. Though they had never officially broken up, all four members had taken separate paths for quite a while.
The fate of Omen is about to change now, with the anticipated release, and the band members have once again rejoined to create music that people enjoyed immensely during the band’s 80′s reign. It’s all thanks to Kenny Powell, who has kept the band in order and ensured a great new album to be released to the public. In an interview, Powell revealed to the media several things that the general public had not known about the band. He also talked about their great success during the 80′s and rambled on about what happened in the gap between then and now. Kenny Powell has stated that the band is excited to get back on the road and keep their Omen fans satisfied with their new music.

Matt Story: The New Voice of Omen

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Omen has a new face and his name is Matt Story. As a metal band, they need someone with power to bring it on home and Matt does not disappoint as they prepare to blaze their way through 2011. Ranked with such legends in the field as Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax, Omen is a force to be reckoned with on stage. Matt Story easily belts out the songs and thrash the music with the best of them. His arrival has long been awaited by founder Kenny Powell but Story had other obligations that barred him from coming on board. Since his arrival, “Hammer Damage” released in April of 2011, marks a strong showing on the hard rock scene with Matt’s vocals on “Epitaph.” Omen is sure to come through in the tradition of greats likes “Battle Cry,” “The Curse,” and “Reopening the Gates.” Stay tuned to see where Matt Story will take this legend as they move on to the future. Tour dates have not been set of yet but fans will need to keep an eye on the horizon for Omen. Matt Story will be welcome on any stage with his fearless presence and awesome sound with Omen.

A Tribute To Vocalist J.D. Kimball, R.I.P.

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Out of the myriad of heavy metal and cheese metal groups formed in America during the 1980s, few singers retained as strong a following among fans and critics alike as John “JD’ Kimball. Most famously with the group Omen, Kimball was also the lead singer of the little-known Hammer Damage.

With a powerful yet steady voice similar to Led Zeppelin-s, Kimball was Omen-s true voice for many of today-s fans. Kimball-s vocals added strength and grittiness to the express-train rhythm of lead guitarist Kenny Powell. Although Kimball lacked the extreme vocal ranges such as the piercingly high scream of Angus Young, fans knew he could take any lyric and give it heart and soul.

Kimball stayed with the group for only four albums and left the band in 1987. A subsequent five albums did poorly in comparison to the first four. In order to pay the bills, Kimball eventually became a hair dresser. He kept his private life private. He died in the Seattle area in 2003 due to stomach cancer.

Although Omen-s classic lineup dissolved in 1987, Omen and Kimball continue to win new fans, especially in Europe and the former Soviet Union. Omen-s label, Metal Blade, reissued the four CDs in 1996, bringing a new generation of fans to the pure speed metal fold.