• 2015-

  Noah SebastianVocals2015-

  Joakim KarlssonGuitar2015-

  Nick FolioDrums2015-

  Vincent RiquierBass2015-2018

  Nicholas RuffiloBass2018-
• Bad Omens formed in 2015 out of Richmond, Virginia, quickly carving out a niche in the metalcore scene with their blend of heavy riffs and melodic, atmospheric flourishes.
• Before starting the band, frontman Noah Sebastian played guitar in the deathcore outfit Immoralist. The group's original name was "CHLDRN" (Children), but Sumerian Records suggested "Bad Omens" while they were working on the track "Glass Houses," which was originally going to be called "Bad Omens."
• Swedish guitarist Joakim Karlsson literally moved across the ocean to join the band after meeting bassist Vincent Riquier on tour, showing early on that Bad Omens was a band committed to its lineup and sound.
• Their early, untitled demo drew attention from Sumerian Records, so much so that most of its tracks ended up on their official self-titled debut album.
• Noah Sebastian was just 17 when he signed with Sumerian, with no high school diploma and very little money. The deal allowed the band to tour and record full-time, living together in a cramped two-bedroom apartment that doubled as storage for their merch and equipment.
• Bad Omens' 2016 self-titled debut was a breakout, thanks to songs like "Glass Houses" and "The Worst in Me," which balance aggressive riffs with catchy, almost pop-like melodies. Their 2022 single "Just Pretend" was the band's first major hit, topping both Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs and Alternative Airplay charts, and earning a Gold certification from the RIAA in July 2023.
• October 2023 brought a setback when Sebastian's health issues forced the band to cancel live performances. By December, he had deleted all social media accounts, citing the pressures of constant scrutiny and the obsessive nature of online attention.
• Despite their metalcore roots, Bad Omens aren't afraid to push boundaries. The 2025 single "Impose" dropped heavy guitars entirely in favor of R&B-infused electronic production and hypnotic percussion, a marked departure from their usual style.
• Live, Bad Omens are known for turning concerts into full-blown theatrical experiences. Elaborate lighting, cinematic visuals and an intense stage presence make seeing the band in person more than just a show - it's an event.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Opposites AttractPaula Abdul

MC Skat Kat was created for the remix of "Opposites Attract," which was released as the last single from Paula Abdul's Forever Your Girl album. The team that created the Kat also did a-ha's "Take On Me" video.

Just In LoveJoe Jonas

Lil Wayne does an unlikely rap in a remix of the Joe Jonas song "Just In Love." The pair met at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

JetPaul McCartney & Wings

The Australian band Jet took their name from the 1973 song of the same by Paul McCartney and Wings.

Coming HomeDiddy - Dirty Money

"Coming Home" by Diddy - Dirty Money was originally iwritten for for T.I., who was getting out of prison at the time.

I Don't Want To Miss A ThingAerosmith

Diane Warren originally wrote Aerosmith's hit tune "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" for Celine Dion.

Ms. JacksonOutKast

The "Ms. Jackson" in the OutKast song is Erykah Badu's mother. Andre 3000 had a child with Badu, and felt she was portraying him as a lousy dad.

Editor's Picks

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.