INFINITE CREATORS OF EPIC SOUND...
The orchestra nerds have come for their revenge! Anton and Lewis Patzner grew up in Oakland, CA, sons of a symphony violinist and a symphony trombonist. After spending their childhoods relentlessly practicing and perfecting classical music for hours every day, the brothers decided it was time to start a metal band. What began as a two-piece street act on the corners of Berkeley and San Francisco quickly turned into full-fledged metal band with the addition of hard-hitting drummer Jon Bush.
Judgement Day's 2004 debut album "Dark Opus" proved that the Patzner Brothers’ violin and cello could hang with any shredding metal guitar. It also grabbed the attention of acclaimed Omaha indie-rocker Conor Oberst, who recruited Anton to tour and record with his band Bright Eyes. For the next four years, Judgement Day was put on the back burner as Anton sharpened his improvisational fiddling skills and learned the ropes of international touring with Bright Eyes. At the same time Lewis quietly finished a music degree at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Finally, in 2008 Judgement Day returned.
This time, the brothers would go national. After releasing a new acoustic EP titled "Opus 3: Acoustic" and a bad-ass zombie music video, the band began searching for tours. Their pitch: A free string section for any headliner who would have Judgement Day open. The plan worked even better than they had hoped. By the end of the year the string metaliers had three US tours under their belt, supporting indie-rock acts Mates of State (Barsuk) and Margot and the Nuclear So and So's (Epic), as well as, the heavier progressive rock ensemble Dredg (Interscope). In under a year Judgement Day had built the foundation for a strong, grass roots national following, all without the support of a label, manager or booking agent.
2009 promises to be an even more exciting year for Judgement Day. In April, they toured supporting indie-rock outfits Mates of State and The Black Kids and in May they supported metal bands Torche and Dredg. On July 21st, Judgement Day will release a new 7" vinyl record titled "Out of the Abyss: Live on Tape" on San Francisco label Third Culture Records. The record showcases the energy and spontaneity of the band's live show and comes with sheet music for one of the songs.
Judgement Day has also been featured on the records of Taking Back Sunday (Warner), Pete Yorn (Columbia), The Matches (Epitaph), The Color Fred (Equal Vision), and The Botticellis (Antennae Farm).
Judgement Day's cellist Lewis Patzner (above right) graduated from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore with a BM in cello performance. He has performed with the Baltimore Philharmonia, Berkeley Symphony, Berkeley Opera, Santa Rosa Symphony, Napa Valley Symphony and numerous other classical, jazz, and avant-garde ensembles on both coasts.
"Judgement Day has all the makings of a classic superhero: gritty back-story, freakish features, and extraordinary powers. And for a mutant that's half-string quartet, half-power trio, this triple threat of violin, cello, and drums turns out to be mighty tough." - San Francisco Bay Guardian
"Instrumental rock that's as intense as it is unconventional." - The Bay Bridged
"Dark Opus is a technically impressive, highly amusing, and genuinely righteous shredfest so convincing the liner notes are compelled to include the note "THERE ARE NO GUITARS ON THIS ALBUM." - Rob Harvilla, East Bay Express
You are listening to Mark of Vishnu, Opus 3: Acoustic
For tour dates and to hear more of their riveting sound, check out Judgement Day at:
http://www.stringmetal.com