Description

Special 3 disc box set with 3 studio albums and one live dvd

Battle Cry 1984
Many up-and-coming American metal bands of the early 1980s wished they were Iron Maiden, but few came as close to achieving the feat as Los Angeles’ Omen with their debut album from 1984, Battle Cry. Although it was also obviously fueled by the nascent acceleration of thrash (look no farther than raging opener “Death Rider” for that), the album’s steel-bound heart was unquestionably pumped by New Wave of British Heavy Metal blood: from the gritty staccato riffs and pounding war-drums, to the predominant fantasy themes and anthemic choruses gracing such enduring standouts as “Dragon’s Breath,” the title track, and the heartfelt love song (well, not really) “Be My Wench.” True, probably none of the songs on Battle Cry stood out for true originality or groundbreaking invention; but it’s pretty nigh impossible to remain unmoved by the fist-pumping, head-banging passion (not to mention red-hot fretwork from guitarist Kenny Powell) behind the likes of “Die by the Blade” and “Bring out the Beast” — and that must count for something. Heck, even over-the-top closer “In the Arena” is still completely irresistible, no matter a true-blue metal head’s age or cynicism; suffice to say Ronnie James Dio would kill to have written it! And yet, because their subsequent albums arguably never matched this first one’s consistency, time has not been as kind to Omen’s memory as that of, say, the overrated Metal Church, the often ludicrous Manowar, or even well-deserving label mates Armored Saint. But, for fans of classic American heavy metal looking for a guaranteed mid-80s delight, there’s little chance of a letdown from this release.

Warning Of Danger 1985
Like many of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands that inspired them, the appeal of Omen’s songwriting seemed to be inversely proportional to the quality of their recordings. That is, as the band matured and produced ever more polished and technically professional LPs, a certain something was mysteriously lost in some bizarre kind of reverse Faustian bargain. Which is a long way of explaining just why their second album, 1985’s Warning of Danger, though clearly superior in scientific terms, was simply not quite as good as its predecessor, 1984’s minor classic Battle Cry. Opinions may vary, of course, but the general consensus among critics and fans appears to support this odd contradiction, no matter the presence of quite a few top-notch metal anthems like “Ruby Eyes (Of the Serpent),” “Termination” and the stately “Hell’s Gate,” being found on Warning of Danger. Perhaps coincidentally, perhaps not, most of these highlights were also the ones bearing the most lingering hallmarks of the band’s early Iron Maiden influence: tightly played harmony guitars, galloping rhythms, and fantasy yarns to cap them (see also the cryptically named “V.B.P.,” in that regard). In any case, the remaining material lacked the distinct spark of those earlier, rough-hewn gems — dulling Omen’s edges and initiating the process of decline that would see them get lost amongst the endless stream of competent, but now forgotten, American metal bands putting out records in the mid-’80s.

Track listing:
Disc 1: Battle Cry 1984
1. Death Rider
2. The Axeman
3. Last Rites
4. Dragon’s Breath
5. Be My Wench
6. Torture Me
7. Battle Cry
8. Die By The Blade
9. Prince Of Darkness
10. Bring Out The Beast
11. In The Arena
12. Battle Cry-live

Disc 2: DVD Live At The Country Club Los Angeles, September 1984
1. Untitled
2. Death Rider
3. Dragon’s Breath
4. Road Warrior
5. The Axeman
6. Be My Wench
7. Die By The Blade
8. In The Arena
9. Prince Of Darkness
10. Bring Out The Beast
11. Battle Cry
12. Torture Me

Disc 3: Warning Of Danger 1985
1. Warning Of Danger
2. March On
3. Ruby Eyes (Of The Serpent)
4. Don´t Fear The Night
5. V.B.P.
6. Premonition
7. Termination
8. Make Me Your King
9. Red Horizon
10. Hell´s Gates
11. Termination-live
Nightmares 1987
12. Nightmares
13. Shock Treatment
14. Dragon’s Breath
15. Termination
16. Bounty Hunter
17. Whole Lotta Rosie-Ac/dc cover-live