Pelican
United States · formed 2001 · last active 2026
Pelican is an American instrumental post-metal band formed in Chicago in 2001, known for heavy, atmospheric, almost entirely instrumental compositions with extended track lengths. Their debut EP and albums such as Australasia (2003), The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw (2005), and City of Echoes (2007) appeared on Hydra Head Records before the band moved to Southern Lord Records around 2009. The founding lineup pairs the two guitars of Trevor de Brauw and Laurent Schroeder-Lebec with the rhythm section of brothers Bryan and Larry Herweg.
SCORE PROFILE
Accent numbers counted towards the index. Hover an axis — or hold it on a phone — for what it means.
MEMBERS
- Trevor de Brauwguitar
- Bryan Herwegbass
- Larry Herwegdrums
- Laurent Schroeder-Lebecguitar
- Dallas Thomasguitar (2012-2020; touring 2011-2012)
CONNECTIONS
- Corrections Housepath →
Sanford Parker of Corrections House remixed Pelican's "It Stared At Me" on Nighttime Stories (2019), credited Remix. source ↗
- James Plotkinpath →
James Plotkin remixed Pelican's "Angel Tears," released as a bonus track on the Australasia deluxe edition. source ↗
- Jesupath →
Justin Broadrick, under the Jesu name, remixed a Pelican track. source ↗
- Palmspath →
Palms members Aaron Harris and Bryant Clifford Meyer remixed Pelican's "The Cliff" for the b-side of the 2015 single. source ↗
- These Arms Are Snakespath →
Pink Mammoth / Gold Diggers (2008) Hydra Head Records source ↗
- Isispath →
Pelican's early releases, including their 2003 debut album Australasia, came out on Hydra Head Records, the label co-founded by Isis frontman Aaron Turner. source ↗
- Sunn O)))path →
By 2009 Pelican signed to Southern Lord Records - the label founded by Sunn O))) guitarist Greg Anderson - which released Ephemeral and What We All Come to Need and subsequent albums. source ↗
- 6:33path →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: 6:33's "Orphan Of Good Manners" (2011) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Acid Mothers Templepath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Blind Idiot Godpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Burning Witchpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Burning Witch's "Crippled Lucifer" (2008) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Earthpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Earth's "Live Europe 2006" (2007) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Ephel Duathpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Ephel Duath's "Through My Dog's Eyes." (2009) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defectspath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Goatsnakesatellitepath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Goatsnake's "1" (2022) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- House of Low Culturepath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: House of Low Culture's "Live From The House Of Low Temperature!" (2003) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Isispath →
Both credited to freelance artist James O'Mara (Discogs artist id 979440): Isis's In The Absence Of Truth (2006, LP construction) and Pelican's Australasia (2006, artwork color treatment). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — O'Mara is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Jesupath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Jesu's "Sun Down / Sun Rise" (2007) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Kayo Dotpath →
Both credited to freelance artist James O'Mara (Discogs artist id 979440): Kayo Dot's Coyote (2010, layout & construction) and Pelican's Australasia (2006, artwork color treatment). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — O'Mara is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- KK Nullpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: KK Null's "Extropy" (2009) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Lotus Eaterspath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Lotus Eaters's "Lotus Eaters" (2002) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Made Out of Babiespath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Made Out of Babies's "The Ruiner" (2008) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Nadjapath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Nadja's "Thaumogenesis" (2007) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Neurosispath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Neurosis's "A Sun That Never Sets" (2001) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Orthodoxpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Orthodox's "Amanecer En Puerta Oscura" (2007) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Oxbowpath →
Both credited to freelance artist James O'Mara (Discogs artist id 979440): Pelican's Australasia (2006, artwork color treatment) and Oxbow's Fuckfest / 12 Galaxies (2008, package design). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7) — O'Mara is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. source ↗
- Sunn O)))path →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005) and Sunn O)))'s "Black One" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- The Oceanpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005) and The Ocean's "Pelagial" (2013). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
FURTHER LISTENING
Nearest score profiles in the atlas.
- Post-metalEI 8Russian CirclesTechnicalDoomHardcore
Russian Circles are an American instrumental post-metal band based in Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2004 by childhood friends Mike Sullivan (guitar) and Dave Turncrantz (drums). Since 2007 the trio has been rounded out by bassist Brian Cook, formerly of Botch and These Arms Are Snakes. Their sprawling, dynamic instrumental albums include Enter (2006), Station (2008), Memorial (2013), Guidance (2016) and Blood Year (2019).
- Turner-verse / Hydra HeadEI 17IsisTechnicalDoomHardcore
Isis were an American post-metal band formed in Boston in 1997 and later based in Los Angeles, active until their breakup in 2010. Building on roots in hardcore punk and doom metal, they helped pioneer and evolve the post-metal sound established by Neurosis and Godflesh, favoring lengthy compositions built on repetition and gradual structural evolution. Led by Aaron Turner, founder of Hydra Head Records, the band's core lineup remained consistent across five studio albums including the acclaimed Oceanic (2002) and Panopticon (2004). They disbanded in June 2010, just before a split EP with the Melvins, and reunited once in 2018 as Celestial for a tribute show.
- Post-metalEI 13RosettaDoomTechnicalHardcore
Rosetta is a post-metal band formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2003, blending sludge metal, post-rock, drone, ambient, and space rock into a sound the band self-describes as "metal for astronauts." Their key releases include the two-disc The Galilean Satellites (2006), Wake/Lift (2007), and A Determinism of Morality (2010), issued on Translation Loss Records before the group became fully independent. They are known for lengthy, atmospheric compositions and an eclectic hybrid drawing on post-hardcore, shoegaze, and progressive elements.
- Post-metalEI 8Cult of LunaTechnicalDoomHardcore
Cult of Luna is a Swedish post-metal band formed in 1998 in Umeå, emerging from members of the local hardcore group Eclipse. Widely regarded as a leading force in post-metal alongside Neurosis and Isis, their songs are long, slow and crushing, layering heavy distorted passages with orchestral interludes and post-rock-esque forays. Their discography includes Salvation (2004), Somewhere Along the Highway (2006), and the Metropolis-inspired Vertikal (2013). In 2016 they released the space-themed collaborative album Mariner, recorded with American vocalist Julie Christmas.
- Mathcore / DEP-verseEI 4ZozobrasatelliteDoomTechnicalHardcore
Zozobra is an American sludge/post-metal band conceived in 2006 by bassist-vocalist Caleb Scofield (Cave In, Old Man Gloom), taking its name from the giant effigy burned annually at the Fiestas de Santa Fe in New Mexico. It gave Scofield his first outlet to write his own songs, and its debut album Harmonic Tremors (2007) featured Old Man Gloom drummer Santos Montano; the band toured the U.S. with Isis and Jesu in early 2007. Later releases Bird of Prey (2008, with Aaron Harris of Isis on drums) and Savage Masters (2013) followed, with the project ending after Scofield's death in 2018.
- Post-metalEI 8BaronessDoomTechnicalHardcore
Baroness are a sludge and progressive metal band formed in Savannah, Georgia in 2003 by John Baizley, who writes the songs and paints every cover in the band's colour-titled album cycle. Their records move between pummelling riffs and punk-rock screams and finger-picked acoustic passages with a bluegrass and Appalachian cast — "Cockroach en Fleur", "O'Appalachia", the Blue Record interludes — and the sound drifted steadily from early sludge toward the alternative-rock accessibility of Yellow & Green and the psychedelic space-rock of Gold & Grey. Widely credited across the scene: Baizley is also one of its most prolific cover artists, and the band's ties here run through Mastodon, Converge and the 2019 co-headline tour with Deafheaven and Zeal & Ardor.
- UnaffiliatedEI 11MetatronDoomTechnicalHardcore
Metatron were a sludge/post-hardcore outfit from Evansville, Indiana and Owensboro, Kentucky, active 1998–2011, built from long improvised bass-and-drums sessions that founders Aaron King and Clay Burns restructured into songs. Their sound folded post-hardcore, space rock, freeform jazz, and math rock into a constantly-shifting take on sludge, drawing notice for a 2001 split EP with noise heavyweights Today Is The Day. Founding drummer Clay Burns's death in August 2011 appears to have ended the band; no evidence of a reformation was found.
- Turner-verse / Hydra HeadEI 9SumacDoomTechnicalHardcore
Sumac is an American/Canadian post-metal trio formed in 2014, built around guitarist/vocalist Aaron Turner (ex-Isis) with bassist Brian Cook and drummer Nick Yacyshyn, playing some of the heaviest, most improvisational music of Turner's career. Their studio albums include The Deal (2015), What One Becomes (2016) and May You Be Held (2020). The band has also released collaborative records with Japanese multi-instrumentalist Keiji Haino, including American Dollar Bill – Keep Facing Sideways, You're Too Hideous to Look at Face On and Even for Just the Briefest Moment Keep Charging this 'Expiation' Plug in to Making It Slightly Better.
- Southern Lord / droneEI 4GoatsnakesatelliteDoomTechnical
Goatsnake is an American stoner/doom metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1996 after the dissolution of The Obsessed, whose rhythm section of bassist Guy Pinhas and drummer Greg Rogers teamed with guitarist Greg Anderson (also of Sunn O))), Burning Witch, and Thorr's Hammer) and vocalist Pete Stahl. Known for a soulful, bluesy take on low-and-slow doom, they released their debut album '1' in 1999. After breaking up in 2001 they later reunited, issuing the album Black Age Blues on Southern Lord Recordings in 2015.
- Post-metalEI 15The OceanTechnicalDoomHardcore
The Ocean (also known as The Ocean Collective) is a German post-metal band formed in 2000 in Berlin by guitarist and principal composer Robin Staps, built around a fluid, revolving cast of musicians. Their sound blends post-metal, progressive metal, sludge and avant-garde elements across ambitious concept albums exploring geology, evolution and oceanic depths, including Precambrian (2007), the paired Heliocentric and Anthropocentric (2010), Pelagial (2013), and the Phanerozoic double-album series (2018-2020). The band released early records via Make My Day Records before signing to Metal Blade Records, and Staps also runs the post-metal imprint Pelagic Records.