Heavily influenced musically and politically by mid-1990s vegan straight edge metal/hardcore acts such as Earth Crisis, Day of Suffering, Loxiran and Morning Again, their music also displays influences from metal acts such as At the Gates, Metallica, Sepultura and Slayer.
The year of 1999 saw Maroon releasing a demo cassette entitled The Initiate, signalling a new era of vegan straight edge culture in Germany. All four of the songs were to be found on later releases.
Their first cd, Captive in the Room of the Conspirator, was recorded at Headquarters Studion in Berlin in spring 2000 and released that year on the now-defunct Kerosene Recordings label, featuring songs like The Solution strongly advocating a vegan lifestyle and support for animal liberation and earth liberation. The band began touring Europe, opening for many hardcore acts including their idols Earth Crisis and Morning Again.
Later in the year Maroon released an untitled split 7" with Absidia on the Crap Chords label, featuring the song Wasted. That winter the band went back to the studio to record a split CD with Self Conquest entitled The Key, this time using 101 Studios, also in Berlin. On the heels of this recording, released by Beniihana Records the band went back on the road once more, touring Europe and opening for bands including Heaven Shall Burn and Caliban.
In November 2001 Maroon entered Rape of Harmonies Studios to record their debut full-length, Antagonist, released on legendary US vegan straight edge hardcore label Catalyst Records (http://www.xcatalystx.com). Catalyst is run by Kurt Catalyst, frontman for defunct hardcore legends Birthright and a newer band, Risen. Antagonist featured Maroon's best work to date both musically and lyrically, delivering a number of hard-hitting songs including the vegan straight edge anthem Still Believe in What Has Fallen Apart and a cover of Canon's classic animal liberation rallying call Declaration. The album soon became one of Catalyst's biggest sellers in both the US and Europe, leading to more European tours.
After some line up changes Maroon switched labels to Alveran Records in 2003, who then re-released Antagonist. February 2004 saw the band at Denmark's Antfarm Studio recording a new full length album entitled Endorsed by Hate. Following the recording, original guitarist Marc Zech left the band, and was replaced by Sebastian Rieche. The album was released in Europe in June, and between June and December of 2004 Maroon played 60 shows across Europe, including major festivals such as With Full Force and Pressure Fest. In October the band switched labels again, signing to Century Media Records. In early 2005 Century Media/Abacus released Endorsed by Hate in North America.
Many of Maroon's die-hard vegan straight edge fans felt let down by Endorsed by Hate due to its general lack of overtly topical lyrics, especially after the inspiring "Antagonist". As opposed to previous releases, the new album makes no mention of veganism, straight edge, animal liberation or earth liberation in the lyrics, liner notes or artwork. Another disappointment for these fans was the change of Maroon's website address from "http://www.xmaroonx.com" to "http://www.maroonhate.com", leading many fans to believe that Maroon have "sold out" on straight edge.
2006 saw the release of the new Maroon CD entitled When Worlds Collide which lead to some back-to-the-roots changes a least regarding the lyrics. 24 HourHateor Wake Up In Hell (one of the disco-smashers 2006, deal with animal liberation, while
Like Sword And Bullet advises a life without drugs.
Regarding the music, the new album is more diverse than any of the others. Maroon combine both their old trademarks with some new features (even featuring clean metal-style vocal on Annular Eclipse, even though it somehow lacks the spirit of the older Maroon releaes due to its very clean and sterile production.
In 2009, they released their fifth and last album, called Order.
They announced that they will play their last Tour in 2014, with their last show at the Summerbreeze (15th of August).
Drowning
Maroon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I raise my fist to fight this stupidity.
My inner self tells me to keep on struggling.
For those absolute rights and against their suffering.
And I don't regret my self- reliance.
In this world full of dead and senseless dying.
Too much blood has been shed, greed leads to violence.
BLOOD COVERS YOUR CONSCIENCE...PROFIT STOPS YOUR PITY!
Can't you see their suffering?
How can you ignore their pain?
Look at the locked- up victims, don't turn your head away.
You are responsible (too), so start to save your soul.
Consumer of this slavery for the taste on your palate...
Do you know the price they have to pay?
Can you ignore their hell everyday?
BLOOD COVERS YOUR CONSCIENCE...PROFIT STOPS YOUR PITY!
The lyrics of Maroon's "Drowning" convey a strong message of social awareness and protest against the cruelty and inhumanity in the world. The singer feels overwhelmed with the misery and suffering around him, which has made him feel like drowning. He raises his fist in protest against the stupidity that is causing so much pain and oppression. The lyrics reflect his determination to continue struggling against the forces that perpetuate this suffering and challenged the silence and inaction that contribute to it. The artist's inner voice urges him to stand up for those who are suffering and fight for their absolute rights.
The lines "Too much blood has been shed, greed leads to violence," reinforce the idea that it is the human quest for power and greed that drives the cycle of violence and oppression. Maroon emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and taking responsibility for one's actions. The lyrics condemn the profit-driven mentality that leads people to ignore the pain of others and disregard the impact of their choices on the world. "Blood covers your conscience, profit stops your pity" is a strong refrain that echoes throughout the verse and emphasizes this message.
The artist calls on listeners to open their eyes to the suffering of the world and take responsibility for their contribution to it. The lyrics ask if they can turn a blind eye to the locked-up victims and ignore their pain. The final lines implore the listener to recognize their complicity in the problem and "start to save your soul." The reference to "consumer slavery" indicates that the problem is not just limited to direct acts of violence but also extends to the supply chains and industries that perpetuate it.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel like drowning in this world of misery.
I am overwhelmed with sadness in this world full of despair.
I raise my fist to fight this stupidity.
I resist against the foolishness that causes this misery.
My inner self tells me to keep on struggling.
My conscience demands that I continue to fight for justice.
For those absolute rights and against their suffering.
I fight for the fundamental entitlements of all, and against the oppression of the marginalized.
And I don't regret my self-reliance.
I am proud of my independence and ability to rely on myself.
In this world full of dead and senseless dying.
In this world full of death and meaningless loss of life.
Too much blood has been shed, greed leads to violence.
Greed drives violence and conflict, leading to the needless spilling of blood.
In this world full of death I keep on trying...
Despite the bleakness of this world, I continue my efforts to make a positive impact.
BLOOD COVERS YOUR CONSCIENCE...PROFIT STOPS YOUR PITY!
The guilt of complicity in the suffering of others less fortunate than you will never leave you, and putting profits over compassion will only make it worse.
Can't you see their suffering?
Why can't you recognize the pain and hardship others are going through?
How can you ignore their pain?
How can you turn a blind eye to their struggles and suffering?
Look at the locked-up victims, don't turn your head away.
Do not ignore the plight of those who are oppressed or incarcerated for the crimes of others.
You are responsible (too), so start to save your soul.
You share in the responsibility for the injustices of the world, and must work to make amends and bring about positive change.
Consumer of this slavery for the taste on your palate...
By consuming goods and services that rely on exploitative labor practices, you are contributing to the perpetuation of slavery and exploitation.
Do you know the price they have to pay?
Do you understand the cost of the suffering and hardship that others must endure?
Can you ignore their hell everyday?
Can you turn a blind eye to the constant misery and agony faced by those less fortunate?
Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.