– Hi, thanks for your time. What are you currently up to? How is everything doing right now with OMEN?

Right now, just busting my ass finishing up the last couple of songs for «Hammer Damage»

– Though you have a long musical career, I guess some people may don’t know about you yet, specially the youngest Metal fans so, first off, could you please share some history of the band?

Omen was formed in 1983 in L.A. after the musical core of the band, Jody Henry, Steve Wittig and myself moved from Oklahoma. The original bass player backed out at the last minute. Steve discovered singer J.D. Kimball after I was asked to join Savage Grace. As soon as I heard him sing, I talked Jody into switching to bass, left Savage Grace and signed a record deal with Metal Blade.

 

– This 2012 you have released a compilation album entitled «Into the Arena», just after releasing another one 2 years ago. What can we find on this new «Into the Arena» that it’s not on some of the previous OMEN compilation records?

I had done a very limited release of «Into the Arena» on my own, but I did not have the resources to do it right. We found some unreleased demos for the «Warning of Danger» album and added them. everything was re-mastered with new art work, done by current singer Matt Story, and No Remorse put together a killer booklet for the CD. they are releasing a box set with an LP, T-shirt and other surprises right now. I heard it sold out in less than 48 hours!

 

– I’ve read you were going to release a new full-length entitled «Hammer Damage», but it has been pushed back after the hurricane that damaged your house so, do you have a new release date for this effort?

I do not have an exact date yet, but I am almost finished with the recording process. It has been a very long and difficult journey, two complete line up changes, tossing the whole thing in the trash after recording drums, bass and most of the guitar, because it was not living up to what I felt it should be. Finally after getting the line up right with new vocalist Matt Story and original drummer Steve Wittig and long time Omen bassist Andy Hass coming back. My studio was destroyed twice, one time by a severe rain storm and a few months later really fucked up by a Tornado, not a Hurricane!

 

– If you finally manage to release «Hammer Damage», it will be your first album with Pure Steel, a record label that seems to fit quite good with such a classic band as you. How has everything been with them so far?

Make no mistake, this album WILL be released!! And soon. So far, Pure Steel has been great! I could not be happier with a label. Everyone has been very supportive through all of the bullshit we have gone through and they seem to be in it for the right reasons, love of the music.

 

– Still talking about the upcoming album, what will we find on «Hammer Damage»?

The songs are very much in the vein of the first three Omen records, pure epic Power Metal. The title cut is a tribute to the late J.D Kimball R.I.P. Hammer Damage was the name of his band before he joined Omen.

 

– And how could you describe it in just 3 words?

Kicks Fucking Ass!

 

– Your first releases are true gems into the US traditional Heavy Metal. The fact several bands mention you as true references into the style, does motivate you or makes you think you still have to keep improving everyday?

It is an honor to still be influncing bands and musicians after 30 years! It is one of the things that keeps me going after all this time and makes me work harder than ever to keep doing music that stands up to my and everyones expectiations.

 

– «Escape to Nowhere» is one of your most outstanding releases, as it’s a bit far to the usual OMEN, and in fact sales went pretty good. Now when you look back, do you regret about having unleashed it or does it just show OMEN is ready to try new elements? Why did you feel the need of doing something different?

Well it was not supposed to be such a radical change, but it was our first time working with a producer. Paul O’Niell, I have the greatest respect in the world for him. So it was not that difficult to make some changes. My problem with the record is that the budget was killed long before the record was finished and it is not near what it could have been if we were given time to finish it.

 

– For some time you were playing in the band with your son, Greg, which is something quite special. Due to this I would like to know how did the idea arise.

I needed a singer and he was really coming along with his singing and guitar playing. It was cool and I really wanted to keep it going, but when we started to work on the next record he got really side tracked and ended up getting out of music completely. We never got to develop it into what it could have been, it could have been something very special, he is the only other guitarist I could ever stand to play with.

 

– Anyway OMEN has been through several line-up changes throughout these years of career, being yourself the only former member remaining. Is it easy to get the strength to keep always rolling with the band you founded, until so many years later? And is your current line-up a stady one?

First off, I fucking hate line up changes! It really kills the momentum that you work so hard for. I have learned to just keep my head up and keep going, I will not let it stop me from doing what I love and have worked most of my life for. Sometimes it is for personal reasons and someone has a family to take care of. That, I understand and those people are always welcome back in the band, Like Steve and Andy, right now. Sometimes people just do not understand or really care what is at stake for me, or maybe they were good live but sucked in the studio, or keep backing out of tour dates at the last minute. Those people are not welcome back in Omen and I have no time or respect for them. I hope this line up is steady, but if not, I will still keep this thing going until I can not physically do it any more!

 

– After so many years with OMEN; what have been both the best and worst moments with/for it?

The best moments for me are looking out at the crowd and watching them sing every word, and even chant along with most of the guitar parts. That is when I really feel like my life has been worth something and I feel like I am just floating above the stage in some sort of surreal Wet dream! The worst is always making a fucking line up change!

 

– You were formed during the early 80’s, and everything has changed a lot since then so, have your musical influences evolved/changed with the years?

Not really any change for me, I don’t listen to much music other than Omen when I am writing. That is not to be arrogant, I try to not be influnced by other bands, but that is really impossible at least on some subconscience level. I really have no idea what is going on in the music world unless I am on tour. I love to watch the young bands that open for us and are improving every night. If I can help them in some way, that is great, at least maybe I can help them not make some of the mistakes I have made.

 

– In fact nowadays there are a lot of Heavy Metal bands from the US reforming and releasing new albums after long hiatus, as DRIVER or AXEHAMMER for instance. What do you think is the main reason behind this urge for playing again?

I can only hope it is for the love of the music, and because they miss the fans or my extended family as I call them. I could not imagine not being in Omen even if I was in another project.

 

– Talking about such and being such a veteran I would like you to tell us your thoughts on the current Metal scene. Are there maybe too many bands and too few ideas?

I could not really answer that, I dont see enough bands to have an opinion on the current scene. I do know this, there are too many bands that are trying to sound like someone else and maybe that works for a little while, but in the end the ones that are remembered develop there own unique style and dont worry about the flavor of the week. Writing great songs is very difficult and requires a lot of thought and effort. Not everyone can do it.

 

– And what are your feelings on the use of the Internet and new technologies?

The internet is great for connecting with your fans, promoting your band etc. It does kind of suck for selling your music, because there are plenty of people that will just download it for free, I dont blame them for that but it makes it hard to eat sometimes!

 

– And finally, what are your near-future plans?

The plan is to finally get this fucking record out and tour the world until I fall over!

 

– That’s all, thank you once more for answering our questions. If you want to add some final words; feel free to do it.

Thanks for supporting Omen, Hope to meet you on the next Euro tour!

Kenny

 

Sergio Fernández

sergio@queensofsteel.com

 

Deja una respuesta

Tu dirección de correo electrónico no será publicada.

Highslide for Wordpress Plugin