Omen - The Axeman

Sunday, time for a classic.

"The Axeman" was a tune taken from the debut album "Battle Cry" of the American heavy metal band OMEN. It was originally released in 1984 by Metal Blade. In 2005 Metal Blade re-released Battle Cry on Picture LP format, limited to 500 copies and including two bonus tracks.

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 "The Axeman", which appeared on the soundtrack for the Heavy Metal themed 2009 video game Brütal Legend).

In 1985 the second album "Warning Of Danger" followed, which could easily compare with their debut, and built up OMENs reputation as one of the forefathers of power metal acts.

In 1986 they released "The Curse", their first release with major label distribution by Capitol Records in the US. In Japan the band climbed to Number 14 in the Burrn! Charts.

With new singer Coburn Pharr (who would later leave to join ANNIHILATOR) the band released "Escape To Nowhere" in 1988; although considered a departure from the classic OMEN sound, "Thorn in Your Flesh" 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. Promised release "Hammer Damage" has been delayed for more than 8 years and was released in 2016 via DSN Music.

OMEN Consists of:

J.D. Kimball - vocals

Joe Jaimes - guitars

Kenny Powell - guitars

Steve Wittig - drums

Jody Henry - bass

Enjoy today's tune. OMEN, Live at the Country Club, Los Angeles, 1st September 1984.

 

More info @

Official Omen Wiki

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