by Eduardo RivadaviaAmerican metalcore as it is know in the mid-2000s owes much to what was happening in Germany toward the end of the 1990s, when hardcore fans who had begun migrating toward heavy metal and grindcore started forming bands such as Caliban, Heaven Shall Burn, and Maroon. Hailing from the town of Nordhausen, Maroon first emerged in 1998 and, by 2001, had recorded a demo, a pair of split releases, and an EP entitled Captive in the Room of the Conspirator -- each to greater acclaim than the last. 2002 found vocalist Andre Moraweck, guitarists Sebastian Grund and Marc Zech, bassist Tom Eric Moraweck, and drummer Uwe Gruse recording their debut album, Antagonist, then touring with metal and hardcore bands alike (Napalm Death, Hatebreed, Agnostic Front, etc.) across Europe, and as far away as South America and Japan. Their second album, Endorsed by Hate, was recorded in 2004, and introduced new members Sebastian Rieche (guitar) and Nick Wachsmuth (drums).