At the Forum, Bad Omens are a good sign for heavy rock’s future

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Something unusual happened on the U.S. album charts last May. Two metal or hard rock bands reached the No. 1 spot in the same month – a feat the genre hadn’t achieved since 2019, and even then it was with established artists. The young British band Sleep Token gained popularity through streaming, while Ghost sold a large number of vinyl records, similar to Taylor Swift. Adding to the surprise, the experimental rock band Deftones unexpectedly became popular on TikTok and started playing large arena shows.

As a huge music fan, I’ve noticed metal making a serious comeback lately – and it’s not just at concerts, where it’s always been strong. It feels like pop culture is finally ready for the return of the classic hard rock star – you know, the ones with the tattoos and incredible voices. It’s awesome to see!

Bad Omens, a rising heavy rock band from Virginia, delivered a powerful performance at The Forum in Inglewood on Thursday, proving they have the talent, ambition, and dedicated fanbase to become major stars. It’s time for a wider audience to discover them.

Music

Is it just chance that this new British band and the Swedish metal group Ghost both reached the top of the charts in the same month? Or does this suggest a deeper desire in American culture for intense, immersive, and story-filled rock music?

Bad Omens, featuring Noah Sebastian on vocals, Nicholas Ruffilo on bass, Joakim Karlsson on guitar, and Nick Folio on drums, aren’t newcomers to the music scene. They’ve been working within the metalcore and heavy rock genres for ten years, releasing music through the independent label Sumerian Records. However, they really found their sound with their 2022 album, “The Death of Peace of Mind,” which uniquely combined soaring, R&B-inspired vocals reminiscent of The Weeknd with heavy, distorted guitars and subtle electronic elements.

The band quickly rose to fame, becoming headliners at major festivals and amassing billions of streams. A big part of their success was likely due to Sebastian, their attractive and talented lead singer. He has an incredible vocal range, moving effortlessly from soft whispers to powerful, operatic belts and even intense screams reminiscent of 90s Norwegian music – sometimes all within the same song, like in their hit, “Like a Villain.”

Everyone’s been expecting a new album from the band for a while, and while they only had a few new songs ready for their current arena tour, it didn’t matter. Their concert at the Forum was incredible, featuring a stunning stage show that proved they’re a cutting-edge heavy rock band with the potential to become massive stars, even if they aren’t entirely comfortable with the idea of fame.

The excitement surrounding the Forum show was intense, with fans trying to figure out how early they needed to arrive to get a good spot near the stage—most agreed arriving before breakfast was necessary. During the show, Sebastian spotted a fan he recognized from many years of touring and jokingly said, “You’ve been seeing us since we weren’t very good!”

Bad Omens’ success comes from music that deeply resonates with what people are feeling right now. Their new single, “Specter,” immediately showcases this – starting with powerful vocals from Sebastian and building to intense, energetic guitar riffs. They’ve combined modern production techniques with influences from the underground music scene to create a sound that delivers the emotional release of a massive arena rock show.

Review

At the Forum, rockers Deftones show why they’ve stayed ahead of their time, 30 years and counting

This metal band, originally from Sacramento, is more popular and influential than ever, perfectly capturing what today’s young listeners want from heavy music.

A highlight of the show was when Jake Duzsik from the band Health joined Bad Omens on stage to perform their song “The Drain.” This collaboration really stood out as a strong moment for both groups. Veteran rock fans are connecting with Bad Omens, which gives the band’s catchy songs, like the platinum-selling hit “Just Pretend” that closed the main part of the show, a genuine emotional impact instead of feeling manufactured.

Seeing them perform at the Forum made it clear why a new album is taking so long. Sebastian has been honest about dealing with mental health issues, and the band is facing a tough situation – they’re at a point where their creative goals are colliding with the pressures of significant public attention.

I’m really impressed by how this band balances two seemingly different sides. They can create incredibly catchy, almost pop-sounding songs like “What It Cost” – honestly, I’d swear Max Martin had a hand in it! – and then switch to this really raw, intense metal that initially drew everyone to them. It’s a tough line to walk, and a lot of bands trying to blend genres end up stumbling. I remember when Code Orange was being hyped as the next big thing in metal, but their electronic explorations held them back. Having a super dedicated fanbase, like you see in K-pop, is amazing for getting noticed, but it also puts a lot of pressure on the band to deliver what fans expect.

Above all, Bad Omens are incredibly talented musicians. While Sebastian’s captivating stage presence is a huge draw, it’s the band’s skillful blend of metal, dark pop, and electronic music that truly shines. I’m confident I’ll see many fans, including one in particular, returning to Bad Omens shows for years to come, and they’ll be joined by many others.

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2026-03-28 02:31