Not many bands these days record on tape. There’s countless reason why they haven’t done so in years but the authenticity and life from these recordings on classic analog studio tape brought from Judgement Day’s new 7′ EP Out of the Abyss is undeniable.
First of all, Judgement Day has to be one of the most original live bands of today. Its core is composed of two brothers, violinist Anton Patzner and cellist Lewis Patzner, and Jon Bush on drums. Having worked with the likes of dredg, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, Mates of State, Facing New York, Desa, Bright Eyes, The Faint, and one of my favorite local acts The Botticellis, the band gives us a taste of what’s to come with this 3-song EP.
It opens with the title track “Out of the Abyss,” which has already been recorded in the studio, but not in this fashion. The song features their usual technical style that gives you the sense that you’ve woken up in a post-apocalyptic wasteland while being chased by several flying demonic creatures. While the string arrangements are similar to the original, this version rockets with raw intensity that is lost on their first full length, “Dark Opus”. You see, the thing about Judgement Day is their ability to floor you during their live performance. I haven’t seen anything like it, so it’s nice to be able to hear that translated on record.
The second track, “Etude” (a french word meaning study), is an acoustic number where cellist Lewis Patzner obliterates his cello solo for a solid 2 minutes. The point of pride here is that Lewis is pushing his performance limits to the max and is showing his ability to play with high intensity for an extended period of time. The song successfully reaches it’s goal. Sheet music for this track will be included with the EP for those of you that are up to the challenge.
The third and final track, “Genosha (Reep-Meister Jam)”, is an improvised jam that truly embodies the spirit that is their live show. Granted 3-minutes of audio is missing on the EP (tape ran out), the song loops around and pulls you like a F5 Tornado and eventually spits you out; exhausted and begging for more, all within 15 minutes.
All in all this is a peek into what may become their upcoming full length, ‘Peacocks/Pink Monsters’. I doubt they’ll be recording on analog studio tape again, but I think they know now what they have to do to encapsulate that genuine sound they’re so famous for live.
You can catch Judgement Day at the Bottom of the Hill on Sunday night with Triclops! and The Definite Articles at 9 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. All Ages.
The rest of the tour, which rides all through California, can be seen here.
Judgement Day – 
Etude