History of Bad Omens in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 28, 2025

Bad Omens is an American heavy metal band formed in 2015 in Richmond, Virginia, by Noah Sebastian, Nicholas Ruffilo, and Vincent Riquier, later joined by Joakim Karlsson and Nick Folio. They released their self-titled debut album in 2016 under Sumerian Records, followed by 'Finding God Before God Finds Me' in 2019. Their third album, 'The Death of Peace of Mind' (2022), featured their platinum-certified hit song, 'Just Pretend,' marking their most significant success to date.

2013: Sempiternal Release

Bad Omens' debut album, released in 2016, received comparisons to Bring Me the Horizon's Sempiternal album released in 2013.

2013: Noah Sebastian Starts Writing

In 2013, Noah Sebastian secretly started writing lyrics while playing guitar for Immoralist.

2013: Comparisons to Bring Me the Horizon's Sempiternal

The band has been compared to the early 2010s metalcore style of Bring Me the Horizon, particularly Oliver Sykes' vocals on their 2013 album Sempiternal, due to Noah Sebastian's vocal style on their debut album, which the band finds flattering but frustrating.

2014: Sebastian Departs Immoralist

In 2014, Noah Sebastian left his band, Immoralist, with the intention of forming Bad Omens.

2015: Band Formation

In 2015, Bad Omens was formed in Richmond, Virginia, by vocalist and producer Noah Sebastian, guitarist Nicholas Ruffilo, and bassist Vincent Riquier.

April 2016: "The Worst in Me" Release

In April 2016, Bad Omens released "The Worst in Me", which garnered almost one million streams in a month and threw them into the limelight, earning them a spot on the Ten Years in the Black Tour.

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August 19, 2016: Debut Album Release

On August 19, 2016, Bad Omens released their debut album, receiving comparisons to Bring Me the Horizon's Sempiternal release in 2013.

2016: Debut Album Release

In 2016, Bad Omens released their self-titled debut album under Sumerian Records.

2017: Warped Tour Appearance

In 2017, Bad Omens played on Warped Tour, gaining attention from both pop punk and metal fans.

2018: Reverence Tour Support

In the spring of 2018, Bad Omens supported Parkway Drive on their Reverence tour along with Stick to Your Guns.

December 16, 2019: "Never Know" Release and Deluxe Album Announcement

On December 16, 2019, Bad Omens released the song "Never Know" and announced the deluxe edition of their album, Finding God Before God Finds Me.

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2019: Second Studio Album Release

In 2019, Bad Omens released their second studio album, Finding God Before God Finds Me.

2019: "Misery Will Find You Tour" Controversy

In 2019, Bad Omens was initially scheduled to open for The Amity Affliction and Senses Fail on their "Misery Will Find You Tour" but dropped off due to unfulfilled contract agreements, leading to a public dispute and Bad Omens releasing a parody shirt.

January 16, 2020: "Limits" Music Video Release

On January 16, 2020, Bad Omens released the music video for their song "Limits".

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March 2020: US Headlining Tour Postponement

In March 2020, Bad Omens had to indefinitely postpone the remainder of their first full US headlining tour, which had started in February with support from Oh, Sleeper, Thousand Below, and Bloodline, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Deluxe Edition Release

In 2020, Bad Omens released a deluxe edition of their second album, Finding God Before God Finds Me.

November 10, 2021: "The Death of Peace of Mind" Song Release and Album Announcement

On November 10, 2021, Bad Omens released the song "The Death of Peace of Mind" and announced their third studio album of the same name, to be released on February 25, 2022.

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January 19, 2022: "Like a Villain" Release

On January 19, 2022, Bad Omens released the lead single, "Like a Villain", and a music video for the song was released on February 2, 2022.

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February 25, 2022: Third Studio Album Release

On February 25, 2022, Bad Omens released their third studio album, "The Death of Peace of Mind".

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June 8, 2022: "Just Pretend" Music Video Release

On June 8, 2022, Bad Omens released a music video for the song "Just Pretend".

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2022: Third Album Release & "Just Pretend" Hit

In 2022, Bad Omens released their third album, The Death of Peace of Mind, which featured the song "Just Pretend", which became their biggest hit to date and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

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June 2023: Support for Bring Me the Horizon Tour

In June 2023, it was confirmed that Bad Omens would support Bring Me the Horizon on their tour in January 2024.

January 2024: Bring Me the Horizon Tour

In January 2024, Bad Omens supported Bring Me the Horizon on tour.

January 24, 2024: "V.A.N." Release with Poppy

On January 24, 2024, Bad Omens released "V.A.N." in collaboration with Poppy.

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May 31, 2024: "Concrete Jungle [The OST]" Release

On May 31, 2024, Bad Omens released Concrete Jungle [The OST], described as an 'experimental extension' of their album, The Death of Peace of Mind.

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September 14, 2024: Studio Recording Posts

On September 14, 2024, Bad Omens shared photos of them recording in the studio on their social media platforms.

2024: Supporting Linkin Park on From Zero World Tour

In the Fall of 2024, Bad Omens was announced as a supporting act for Linkin Park on select dates of their From Zero World Tour in November of that year.