Pelican is an American post-metal band from Chicago, Illinois. Established in 2001, the band is known for their atmospheric and almost entirely instrumental style. They have released six studio albums and six EPs.
Pelican performing at Sant Feliu Fest in 2004
Post-metal is a music genre rooted in heavy metal but exploring approaches beyond metal conventions while being related to and similar to post-rock. It emerged in the 1990s with bands such as Neurosis and Godflesh, who transformed metal texture through experimental composition. In a way similar to the predecessor genres post-rock and post-hardcore, post-metal offsets the darkness and intensity of extreme metal with an emphasis on atmosphere, emotion, and even "revelation", developing an expansive but introspective sound variously imbued with elements of ambient, noise, psychedelic, progressive, and classical music, and often shoegaze and art rock. Songs are typically long, with loose and layered structures that discard the verse–chorus form in favor of crescendos and repeating themes. The sound centres on guitars and drums, while any vocals are often but not always screamed or growled and resemble an additional instrument.
The Melvins' combination of doom metal, hardcore punk, and avant-garde approaches has been a key influence on post-metal bands.
Neurosis have been credited with inventing the genre through their experimental, spiritually intense work.
Aaron Turner of Isis and Hydra Head Records has been a major figure.
Deafheaven have brought the genre widespread critical acclaim in their fusion of black metal and shoegaze.
