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).
Stay Brutal
Maroon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can´t be wrong, this feeling´s much too real
Too many ears are deaf to dreadful screams
We all belong, these words are here forever
We stand up strong and fight this fight together
Their eyes can´t see what we believe is real
It almost hurts, what they don´t see
RESIST!
Rise against
REVOLT!
Stay Brutal
We all belong, these words are here forever
We stand up strong and fight this fight together
Their eyes can´t see what we believe is real
It almost hurts, what they don´t see
The ones with heart won´t look away at last
The ones with heart, we will MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!
RESIST!
Rise against
REVOLT!
Stay Brutal
The song Stay Brutal by Maroon is a call to arms for those who feel the urge to resist against the deaf ears that are present in society. The lyrics call for people to come together and fight as one, despite the fact that some people may not understand or see the reality of the situation. The singer declares that the words of the song will be here forever and that they will fight the fight and stand up strong together. The lyrics suggest a feeling of desperation, as if the situation is critical and needs immediate attention.
The chorus is where the song’s message is most clear. It is a call to arms, encouraging listeners to RESIST and RISE against oppression while REVOLTING and STAYING BRUTAL. It’s clear that the song is meant to be a battle cry for those who seek change and will stop at nothing to achieve it. The phrase "Stay Brutal" embodies the idea of refusing to be silenced or backing down, and instead standing strong and fighting.
The song portrays a sense of urgency and desperation for change. The lyrics deliver an important message of remaining steadfast in the face of adversity and not succumbing to the pressures of society. The song calls for individuals to come together as a community and stand up for what is right, to resist oppressive forces and fight for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Look through these eyes, feel the urge i feel
Join me and see the world as I do, feel the same passion I feel.
We can´t be wrong, this feeling´s much too real
We believe in our cause too strongly to be mistaken.
Too many ears are deaf to dreadful screams
Many people ignore the cries of those who suffer.
We all belong, these words are here forever
We are united in this and our message will endure.
We stand up strong and fight this fight together
We will remain steadfast and fight as one.
Their eyes can´t see what we believe is real
Others do not understand the truth as we see it.
It almost hurts, what they don´t see
It is painful that others cannot see what we see.
RESIST!
Push back against those who oppose us.
Rise against
Stand up and fight against injustice.
REVOLT!
Rebel against oppression and the status quo.
Stay Brutal
Remain fierce and unrelenting in our pursuit of justice.
The ones with heart won´t look away at last
Those who care will not turn a blind eye forever.
The ones with heart, we will MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!
We, who are passionate, will be the ones to effect change.
Contributed by Brooklyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben
10 years later still one of my favorite tracks.
Mauricio U
Yes sirrrr
kusikaivo671
Still after all these years, propably the best music video I've seen
MrMetalcoreAaddict
OMG.... Now I even more love german metalcore... this band is awesome !!
Ben
I can't simply listen to maroon without being lead to maroon 5 first
Tim777lol
no way, both bands are absolutly amazing haha =) saw both bands a few times live, awesome live and studio bands :)
Talyan1987
One of the hardest bands I've ever stumbled across, Stay brutal!!
ElysianFlame
this is my absolute favorite...i listen 2 it since released and never became bored....no other song had this impact on me
SaintPizza
Back when i was 16 and discovered this song, i was the King among my friends for showing this masterpiece
Stay Fucking Brutal
jonnie davies
i listen to maroon in the morning on my way to college, it sooths me :)