Ghent-based newcomers Maria Iskariot share their defiant new single “Leugenaar”, a slice of vitriolic raw Dutch-language punk.
Translating to “Liar” in English, the track seethes with raging energy, as front-woman Helena Cazaerck spits the lyrics “He feeds the people sugared lies / Knows too well how to disguise”.
A live video of the track already drew attention to the band online, leading to Tropical Fuck Storm inviting them on their UK and Scandinavian tour late last year. Now, as the band put the finishing touches to their debut album, they unleash the studio version of the track and accompanying video.
The band comment:
"Leugenaar is an absolution, a pelvis under the chin of a drooling monster waiting to be freed from a rotten tooth. Anyone expecting further explanation can go to hell."
Maria Iskariot is Helena Cazaerck (vocals and guitar), Loeke Vanhoutteghem (guitar), Sybe Versluys (drums), and Amanda Barbosa (bass).
The band have a distinct artistic and social vision, which is reflected in their music and lyrics, blending raw punk with themes of self-discovery, growing up, and the moral ambiguity between good and evil. This last theme is also embedded in their name—a fusion of Maria (the Virgin Mary) and Iskariot (Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus), symbolizing the tension between holiness and betrayal.
They see their music as a medium for storytelling—often unfiltered and confrontational, yet also playful and relatable. Maria Iskariot emphasizes authenticity and expression, refusing to conform to classic pop or rock structures.
This aligns with their punk attitude: scream when necessary, whisper when it fits, and always create from a place of raw, honest emotion.
Their lyrics are often introspective but also socially critical—never moralizing. They play with contrasts and dualities: tenderness vs. aggression, chaos vs. control, and hope vs. despair. This is not just a punk band but an artistic and social statement - urgent, fresh, and groundbreaking.
Photo by Anton Coene
Live dates:
01 March - De Nachtwacht - Tielt, BE
07 March - De Zwerver - Leffinge, BE
08 March - N9 - Eeklo, BE
22 March - Den Trap - Kortrijk, BE
27 March - Café Café - Hasselt, BE
28 March - Cultuurhuis Belgica - Dendermonde, BE
12 April - Rotfest, Willemeen - Arnhem, NL
17 April - Gebouw-T - Bergen op Zoom, NL
18 April - Motel Mozaiquem - Rotterdam, NL
19 April - dB's - Utrecht, NL
20 April - These Go To Eleven - Zwolle, NL
26 April - Code Oranje - Nijmegen, NL
01 May - Red Rock - Brugge, BE
24 May - Sniester - Den Haag, NL
30 May - Rock Affligem - Affligem, BE
06 June - Gladiolen - Olen, BE
19 June - EDP - Cologne, DE
20 June - Kohi -Karlsruhe, DE
21 June - Umsonst+Draußen Festival, Würzburg, DE
22 June - Farewell Youth Fest - Dresden, DE
27 June - Grensrock - Menen, BE
28 June - Jera On Air, Ysselsteyn, NL
05 July - Wilde Weide - Kraggenburg, NL
18 July - Rock Herk - Herk De Stad, BE
19 July - Zwarte Cross - Lichtenvoorde, NL
09 August - Muhlen Madness Festival - Aachen, DE
14 August - HfG Kapelle - Frankfurt, DE
15 August - Bruckenfestival - Nurnberg, DE
16 August - Druckluft - Oberhausen, DE