Judgement Day holds world's fate by string

Originally published as online exclusive Feb. 23, 2008 for The Orion.
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Some may fear the Apocalypse but Oakland's Judgement Day, Chico's Red Giant and Blood of Cain attracted over 100 brave souls for a night of epic music Friday at Monstros Pizza.

The performance, hosted by the Chico Area Pyrate Punx, showed Chico music fans like their metal music in a variety of flavors.

Blood of Cain served its brutal, winding metal sound first. The room was packed by the end of the first song.

A large group of high school students occupied the space in front of the band and created a circle pit. The rest of the crowd stood on the outskirts of the room hoping they would not get bumped.

The band played a new song that will be on an upcoming album, said vocalist Frankie Swa.

The song started with strong guitars that sounded like a roll of thunder. Swa's roaring vocals invited audience members to move around. Guitarist Kirk Williams added some high-pitched screams and in return audience members gave shouts of approval.

The remainder of the night would not see any vocalists, but the music did not become any quieter.

Williams strapped on his guitar again and played with his other band Red Giant.

The 4-piece band would not necessarily be considered metal, but played loud and fast music. The first song began at a steady pace but quickly changed tempo.

Audience members were dazed by the dramatic, atmospheric music. They followed along with the band's lingering songs, and just as fans were getting into the song, the band abruptly changed themes.

The second song began with a drumbeat that sounded like crashing waterfalls. Guitars and bass kicked in and loudly built up to an eerie sounding song.

Freshman Sontian M-Stinson was expecting Red Giant to play hard metal music, but he still enjoyed its set, he said.

"I liked the music," M-Stinson said. "It was melodic."

However, M-Stinson attended the show to hear Judgement Day, he said. He invited Michelle Dodge and junior Jon Patton to share the live music experience.

Dodge knew nothing about Judgement Day, but was impressed by M-Stinson's description of the band's music, she said.

The 30-minute set change between Red Giant and Judgement Day dragged out the anticipation among audience members. The waiting became tiring as Linkin Park played over the sound system, an unlikely soundtrack for a show of independent artists.

Judgement Day was worth the wait as the band's energy emerged with the stroke of its first musical note.

Hearing the stunning sounds of a violin, cello and drums made everyone's ears perk up.

The band played mostly songs from its new acoustic EP and upcoming full-length album, said violinist Anton Patzner.

"Mark of Vishnu" began with a loud drumbeat that resembled the sound of a marching squad. The song smoothed out with the slick sounds of the violin and cello. A dramatic feeling was in the air, but the song ended with a light, nostalgic theme with just the violin and cello playing.

Band members added to the powerful effects by closely examining their instruments while they hit each note as if the future of the world depended on precisely executing each song.

The band attempted to play an acoustic song with just the violin and cello but was interrupted by technical difficulties.

The troubles continued and an unexpected 8-minute intermission took place.

As soon as the band was back on track, Patzner announced that Judgement Day would be playing in April at Lost on Main. To his surprise, Patzner received disapproving sighs from audience members, mostly made up of teenagers.

The band ended with a loud, crashing song, but the audience asked for one more song.

Judgement Day fulfilled the request by playing a song from the band's first full-length album, "Dark Opus." Patzner dedicated the song to the underage audience members who will not be able to attend the band's 21 and over show in April.

The audience was satisfied with the last song, and the experience was even life changing for some.

This was the first time junior Tim Kerber had seen Judgement Day and he thought the band's performance was mesmerizing, he said.

"I'm a better person by being here," he said.