Merel was an experimental emo/hardcore band from New Jersey that existed from 1991 to 1995. They released a demo tape, a 12", a 7", a split 7" with Iconoclast, appeared on a few compilations, as well as a CD containing all of their tracks aside from the demo and Superpowers compilation tracks. Their style was a mixture of more straightforward hardcore and emocore with chaotic instrumentals and were extremely influential many bands from the later 90s. Members of Merel went on to form Rye Coalition which is evident in the similar sounding rhythm sections. Merel used a mix of both abrasive screamed vocals and the quieter talking vocals reminiscent of Indian Summer or Native Nod.
Merel is one of the most musically creative bands of this genre that I've heard and they definitely created their own sound. They also were one of the first to really nail the emo/hardcore style that became more and more popular across the 1990s. Forming in 1991 when most hardcore was very much just classic, formulaic makes it even more impressive they were able to create such a unique and different sound. Despite how influential Merel was, they never really received the recognition that some other pioneers of the emo/hardcore sound did, such as Indian Summer.
S/T Compilation CD 1995 (Gern Blandsten)
God's Chosen People Compilation 12" 1993 (Old Glory Records)
No comments:
Post a Comment