Omen is one of the classic metal bands that gave us three outstanding records of heavy and power metal from 1984 to 1986. The next three records, plus one EP, came from 1987 to 2003 and now, thirteen years later, Hammer Damage, their new record, is about to be released.
Kenny Powell was, is and always will be the fire that keeps Omen alive. He is a guitarist with a distinctive style, beautiful leads and solos and stark riffs full of power and energy. We reached out to him and had a discussion about recent and past events, some of which are sorrowful, the struggles of completing Hammer Damage, the memory of the beloved frontman J.D. Kimball, touring and future plans. Omen are still alive and hungry and they are not willing stop.
Rock Overdose: Hello and welcome to Rock Overdose. You have a new album, Hammer Damage, scheduled for release on the 27th of May. It is your first studio album after thirteen years. Why did it take you so many years? Does it have anything to do with lineup changes? Steve Wittig has returned from what I’ve seen.
Kenny Powell: It was not my intention to take so much time on the record, but circumstances kept changing. From lineup changes, to my studio being wiped out two times by storms, and in the end my personal health deteriorating from the stress of trying to get it finished. The good thing is I ended up with the lineup I wanted in the first place. Andy and Steve both had to leave the band for some years due to the poor health of their wife's. Unfortunately both of their spouses passed away. This record was the biggest test of will in my entire life, but I was determined to finish it even if it killed me.
Rock Overdose: Do you consider Hammer Damage your swansong? If that is true, what brought you to this decision? Do you feel it is time to retire from the music scene?
Kenny Powell: No, I do not consider it my swansong; I never said that even though it almost turned out that way. As long as I am physically able, I will continue to make music, especially Omen records. It is a major part of who I am and what I am made of.
Rock Overdose: I’ve been listening to Hammer Damage and it sounds more aggressive and heavy, while still maintaining the melodic lead guitars and solos that Omen always had. Also, Kevin Goocher’s voice sounds raspier and more metallic. What would you say are the differences between Hammer Damage and Eternal Black Dawn?
Kenny Powell: Hammer Damage is the record I had wanted to make since The Curse. In my mind it is the true follow up to that record even though it did not have a third of the budget, or a great engineer like Bill Metoyer. It is definitely the record I am most proud of since the first three. I was not trying to make it more aggressive, though it may have turned out that way over my frustration of trying to get it finished. Kevin’s vocals were more polished on Eternal Black Dawn; he had a lot more time on that record. By the time Kevin and I made the right decision of him returning to the band, there was not a lot of time to finish recording. Personally, I think he did a fantastic job on the vocals and though they are a little rawer, they fit perfectly with the attitude the music had taken on after all of the Bull Shit that had transpired.
Rock Overdose: Are there any songs in Hammer Damage that were written long ago? I think “Era Of Crisis” was written in the 80’s.
Kenny Powell: Only "Era of Crisis" was written before I started writing songs for this record. It was supposed to be the title cut for what turned out to be Escape to Nowhere but was dropped by the producer. I had always wanted to record it after that. I am not sure if we captured the original energy from the eighties, but it seemed like too good of a song to waste.
Rock Overdose: There is a song called “Hellas”. A lyric says: “Hellas, I return. Hellas, to my home. My heart, my mind, my soul, it belongs to Hellas.” Does it describe your relationship to Greece? Or is it something different? Is it a story of ancient war and the return of a warrior to his home?
Kenny Powell: Since the first time we played "Hellas" in Greece, I have felt like it was someplace that I belonged or had been from in a past life. I have always been treated like I was family there and it has a very deep place in my heart. If it is an ancient warrior returning home, I feel like I must be that warrior!
Rock Overdose: Warning of Danger, The Curse, Into The Arena and Hammer Damage have something in common when it comes to the cover. Is the snake a symbol of Omen? What does it represent?
Kenny Powell: The cyborg snake has been the symbol for the band since the original line up. It was supposed to be on the Battle Cry record, but the artist fucked it up. There are two important artworks for this record. The Snake and The Ancient Warrior based on an image of the late J.D. Kimball. His band before Omen was called Hammer Damage and this record is dedicated to his memory.
Rock Overdose: Your son, Greg Powell, was part of Omen while you were writing Reopening The Gates but he didn’t return for the next albums. How was your cooperation? I am assuming that the age difference and different taste in metal may have played a part.
Kenny Powell: Well, I don't think it was the age difference that he did not return for the next Omen record. He had his own band around the same time, Stomping Ground, and wanted to concentrate on that. It was definitely with my blessing and we both agree that I let that record become too much of a democracy instead of me keeping it in the traditional Omen style. He is, until this day, the only other guitar player I can stand to play with, mainly because we have such similar styles. We have plans of doing something together in the future outside of Omen. I look forward to working with him again in the future.
Rock Overdose: What are your plans following the release of Hammer Damage? Do you have a tour planned? Will you make any appearances in summer festivals? Are you going to visit Europe, maybe even Greece? I know, and you probably know it too, there a lot of people here who love and praise Omen.
Kenny Powell: We are definitely going to be touring heavily for this record. For the first time in years we are doing a lot of U.S. dates, starting this summer and into the fall. Europe will start in the spring with the 20th anniversary Keep It True Festival followed by a full European tour. You can bet we will be booking as many shows in Greece as possible.
Rock Overdose: I am certain that when you are touring, you get a lot of love and pressure for your classic songs. Will you play songs from Battle Cry to Hammer Damage?
Kenny Powell: Our set will always be full of the songs from the first three records. It is an honor that so many people still want to hear songs from thirty plus years ago. We will mix a couple of new songs into our set, but I know everyone wants to hear the classics. We still enjoy playing them, maybe more now than when we started. They have taken on a life of their own by now!
Rock Overdose: Thank you so much for your time and for your music. Maybe we’ll see you in Greece for a couple of shows in the near future. Any last words you would like to share with us?
Kenny Powell: Speaking for myself, I am happy and proud to have survived the difficult period of making Hammer Damage. My health is back to normal now and I cannot wait to get back on tour and see all of my old friends, and hopefully make many new ones! Thanks.
For Rock Overdose
Vasilis Xenopoulos
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