The Story of Bad Omens: Becoming One of the Biggest Metalcore Bands
Bad Omens is an American modern Metalcore band from Richmond, Virginia, known for creating strong vocal hooks and emotional choruses. Bad Omens mixes pop-influenced choruses with the intensity of heavy metal to create a sound that is both catchy and heavy.
What Genre is Bad Omens?
Bad Omens is an American modern metalcore band from Richmond, Virginia. Known for their unique sound, they blend heavy metal intensity with pop-influenced choruses, creating a distinctive mix of catchy vocal hooks and emotional depth. This fusion places them at the forefront of the metalcore genre, appealing to both hardcore metal fans and mainstream audiences.
Who Are The Members of Bad Omens?
Bad Omens' current members are vocalist Noah Sebastion, rhythm guitarist Nick Ruffilo, lead guitarist Joakim Karlsson, and drummer Nick Folio.
The current lineup of Bad Omens includes vocalist Noah Sebastian, rhythm guitarist Nick Ruffilo, lead guitarist Joakim Karlsson, and drummer Nick Folio. Originally a three-piece act, the band began with Noah Sebastian, bassist Vincent Riquier, and guitarist Nicholas Ruffilo. Ruffilo introduced Sebastian to his Swedish friend, Joakim Karlsson, who soon joined as lead guitarist. The band's search for a drummer ended when Nick Folio submitted an online drum cover, which led to him joining the band.
After recording, Bad Omens released a demo EP of what would soon become their self-titled debut album. The demo EP actually managed to make a big enough wave that the national record label, Sumerian Records, was interested and told the band to record the tracks on a full-length album.
The Rise of Bad Omens
In 2015, Bad Omens signed a record deal with Sumerian Records and released "Glass Houses," their first track under the label. In 2016, their breakout single, "The Worst in Me" gained over a million streams in its first month, solidifying their place in the metalcore scene.
Following the success of their self-titled debut album, Bad Omens toured with notable bands such as Asking Alexandria and Parkway Drive, helping to grow their fanbase and increase their visibility in the heavy music scene.
After finishing up their tour with Parkway Drive, they doubled down on finishing their 2nd full-length album before releasing, "Finding God Before God Finds Me" in 2019.
The Creative Process Behind Bad Omens' Sound
Bad Omens is known for their creative approach to songwriting. In an interview, Noah Sebastian explained how the band began working on their next album, "The Death of Peace of Mind," after their current tour was canceled due to the pandemic. He says that he challenged himself to produce a song without using typical instruments by sampling objects from around his house. Sebastian experimented with non-traditional sounds, sampling objects like a vacuum cleaner to create basslines, eventually creating a whole demo song that would later become "The Death Of Peace Of Mind" once the instruments were swapped out for standard instruments.
This inventive approach contributed to the band's evolution, allowing them to refine their sound and incorporate unique elements into their music.
The Breakthrough: Bad Omens' Viral Success
In 2021 and early 2022, Bad Omens released singles such as "The Death of Peace of Mind," "Like A Villain," and "Just Pretend," marking a new era in the band’s sound with their catchiest hooks to date.
"Just Pretend" went viral on TikTok, and was featured in over 77,000 user videos. This social media explosion propelled Bad Omens even further into mainstream recognition, positioning them as one of the leading bands in modern metalcore.
The band's next album "The Death of Peace of Mind," received critical acclaim and surpassed the success of previous releases, solidifying their status as one of the most exciting acts in the metalcore scene.
Just Pretend: Bad Omens
In January 2024, Bad Omens collaborated with pop-metal vocalist Poppy on the track "V.A.N." The song quickly became one of their most successful releases, peaking at #1 on Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.
In May 2024, they released their latest album, "CONCRETE JUNGLE [THE OST]," featuring 26 tracks that included new songs, remixes, and live performances. The album showcases their experimental side, incorporating more electronic and atmospheric elements while maintaining their metalcore roots.
Conclusion: Bad Omens' Impact on the Metalcore Scene
With over 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Bad Omens has become one of the most popular bands in metalcore. Their fearless approach to blending genres, combined with viral success and touring, has cemented their position as a band helping hard rock and metal climb its way into the mainstream.
Their evolving sound and diverse influences make Bad Omens a band to watch as they continue to innovate within the modern metalcore genre.
"V.A.N" - Bad Omens ft. Poppy (via Sumerian Records)
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