Curse / Nightmares [EP]

Omen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Metal Blade
• ASIN: B000001CAV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,254 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Metal Classic you've probably never heard..., January 16, 2004

By 

Matthew Maynard (Winston-Salem, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Curse / Nightmares (Audio CD)

Where do I start with this incredible album? Perhaps by saying it is arguably the best album in the Metal Blade catalogue, which is quite a statement! Originally released in 1986, it had the benefit of that label's joint venture with Capitol Records (recorded in the music giant's famous studio and marketed using its vast distribution channels). The Oklahoma-bred, L. A.-based band had just left the wake of an acclaimed, if modest-selling album ("Warning of Danger") and it seemed that guitarist-songwriter Kenny Powell felt he had something to prove because this album has no weak spots that I can discern. The songs are powerful and well-executed. (Drummer Steve Wittig and bassist Jody Henry play with Pro-Tools tightness, years before anyone knew what Pro-Tools was; Powell's leads sear and riffs crush.) Singer J. D. Kimball's vocals get the proper sonic treatment this time and he sings with the conviction of a man whose future was truly uncertain. (In fact, he left the band shortly after the support tour for this album and went unaccounted for nearly the next 20 years, ostensibly fighting a battle with the bottle. Heartbreakingly, Powell didn't know what had happened to his former bandmate until the news of Kimball's death in Ocober 2003.) Some standout tracks include the title track, "S.R.B." (a stirring insrtrumental inspired by the Challenger shuttle accident), and "Teeth of the Hydra". Tragically, this album with seemingly everything going for it, did't get the support and exposure it could have. Powell was a true hero to the genre, but power metal was never that well-received in the States. The band didn't even tour Europe or Asia (The album actually charted in Germany and Japan based on word-of-mouth.) Thankfully, a savvy Metal Blade re-released it in the mid 90s, giving the album a new lease on life. As an added bonus, the re-release includes the low-budget, but worthwhile "Nightmares" ep from 1987. This is an excellent place for the uninitiated to discover this shamefully-underrated band. I believe that fans of Iron Maiden, Armored Saint and early Helloween would really get into this!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Damn good metal!, July 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Curse / Nightmares (Audio CD)

My god i cant believe that im the first person to review this album...I woulda thought that metalheads worldwide would be raving about this album.Omen is one the best metal bands PERIOD.Metallica doesnt hold a candle to these guys.Metalheads unite and buy this albuM!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where have all the metal heads gone?, December 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Curse / Nightmares (Audio CD)

This was one of my very favorites in the 80's. Great vocals and outstanding musicians. As a guitarist, I loved their style. I wish music like this was still around.