Acclaimed  SF "string metal" band Judgement Day has been pushing the boundaries of heavy music with their unique, classically influenced take on metal since first coming together in 2002. Founded by classically trained violinist Aaron Patzner (who has worked with the likes of Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Audrye Sessions) and his similarly talented cellist brother Lewis to explore their love for metal, the duo developed material with frequent acoustic busking sessions on the streets of Berkeley prior to the addition of drummer Jon Bush. 

The expanded group continued its tradition of busking in a grassroots campaign to build their fan base, playing on the sidewalk outside of music venues hosting like-minded bands. Though the trio had to juggle the school commitments of Lewis (who received his cello performance degree from the The Peabody Conservatory of Music in 2007) and Aaron's road work with Bright Eyes, in 2008 Judgement Day stepped up its touring as support on national jaunts by Mates of State and Dredg.

In 2010, Judgement Day independently released their second full-length album Peacocks/Pink Monsters, a self-produced effort that echoes the sounds of local "cello metal" bands Grayceon and Giant Squid as well as the intense heaviness of groups like Mastodon and The Mars Volta. Powered by the viral popularity of a well-crafted video for "Cobra Strike" (the hilarious, headbanging clip shows the band at the epicenter of a "Violin Hero" video game fad), Judgement Day seems poised to make a leap to wider recognition. Last year, the band followed up with B-Sides, a collection rarities, cover songs and jams from the band's first eight years. Late last year, the trio released its new effort on MinusHead Records entitled Polar Shift. Judgement Day headlines this early show at the Hemlock Tavern in San Francisco Sunday. Los Angeles band Iron Mtn and Chico-based outfit Armed for the Apocalypse also appear.

Judgement Day
Sunday, Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m. $8
Hemlock Tavern