Omega

Omega was an English symphonic/hard-rock band that self-released a 1983 cassette EP, followed by the 1985 album The Prophet on Rock Machine, a division of Razor Records.

Members: Nick Brent (guitar, vocals), Steve Grainger (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Dave Robertson (bass, vocals), Graham Roberts (drums)

Background

Omega formed around 1980 in North London as Apocalypse when drummer Marc Grainger recruited his brother, guitarist–keyboardist Steve Grainger, to join singer–guitarist Nick Brent and bassist Dave “Mex” Higgen.

Marc played as a substitute drummer in Stone Lady, the earlier group with Brent and Higgen. The Grainger brothers previously played together in Phaze and Back from Nowhere. Higgen named the new band Apocalypse, then left to establish Octave Studios and a PA company in North London. Apocalypse recruited bassist Dave Robertson and recorded early demos at Octave Studios. They developed a repertoire of Brent texts set to Steve’s musical themes.

Apocalypse played the Ruskin Arms in East London and sold home-duplicated demo cassettes. The band circulated a three-song demo in 1981 with “Night Stalker,” “The Child,” and “Midnight Train.” Steve also devised a new riff for “Summertime,” while Brent retained the original vocal melody and lyrics of the George Gershwin song.

Apocalypse established Gate Records and issued “Stormchild” in 1982 (b/w “Chosen Few”). Steve obtained £200 from his mother for a weekend session at Stable Studios in Oxfordshire. The musicians used gig receipts to finance approximately 1,000 copies and sold the single at shows and through personal contacts.

Apocalypse also recorded “Blood Sacrifice” and “Abandon Hope (All Ye Who Enter Here)” at Ebony Records in Hull. The musicians adopted the name Omega in 1983 to resolve a dispute with another British band called Apocalypse. Ebony included “Blood Sacrifice” on the 1983 compilation Metal Warriors. Marc stepped down, replaced by drummer Graham Roberts.

Omega engaged Gerry Floyd, resident DJ at the Marquee, as manager and circulated the five-track cassette Alpha in 1983 to labels and publishers. After Floyd’s sudden tragic death, the band enlisted film writer John Marriott. Omega considered another self-financed release through Gate Records. Marriott secured a worldwide licensing agreement in 1985 with Razor Records for The Prophet on the Rock Machine imprint.

Discography:

• Alpha (cassette, 1983)
• The Prophet (1985)

Sources

• Steve Grainger — Apocalypse interview, Metal #08. Stone Lady transition, earlier bands, cassette duplication, single financing, drummer audition, and Marriott agreement. (Manic Mosh)
• Omega — The Prophet reissue notes by Matthias Mader. Grainger testimony on the original lineup, Octave Studios, name dispute, and 1985 record agreement. (Hells Headbangers)
• Apocalypse/Omega — Blood Sacrifice reissue notes. Grainger testimony on the North London origins, Ruskin Arms appearances, and “Summertime” arrangement. (Hells Headbangers)
• Apocalypse — early discography. Three-song 1981 demo and 1982 Gate single. (NWOBHM Encyclopedia)
• Omega — early chronology and discography. Name change, Floyd management, Alpha cassette, and Metal Warriors contribution. (NWOBHM Encyclopedia)