New music review with singles from Maria Iskariot and PROJECTOR
- Julia Mason aka The Decibel Decoder
- May 29
- 4 min read
Our weekly fix of the best new music as Julia Mason (aka The Decibel Decoder) brings us her new music review with singles from Maria Iskariot Waaromdaarom and PROJECTOR Collision
Artist: Maria Iskariot
Track: Waaromdaarom
Ghent-based newcomers Maria Iskariot share their new single Waaromdaarom. Translating to 'Why? That's why!', the four-piece present a snarling, spit-flecked Dutch-language stomp. Commenting on the track, front-woman Helena Cazaerck shares: "Waaromdaarom is the little cross on the treasure map. It is the question that no answer can reach, the spot where the measuring stick snaps, where life mocks itself in the mirror."
What a blast this is! Even if the listener is not fluent in Dutch, you get the gist. Sharp and sassy while at the same time rough and ready Waaromdaarom is loaded with punk energy. The electric guitar whizzes in and out and the drums thrash hither and thither. The vocals are full of passionate disdain and I suspect with an edge of fury. And I love the little snigger at the end. The track follows Leugenaar which was released earlier this year after a live track of the track drew attention to the band online, which led to Tropical Fuck Storm inviting them on their UK and Scandinavian tour late last year.
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.
Maria Iskariot live dates:
May
30 – Rock Affligem – Affligem, BE
31 – Dauwpop – Hellendoorn, NL
June
6 – Gladiolen – Olen, BE
14 – Op De Toffel – Vlieringsbeek, NL
15 – Best Kept Secret – Beekse Bergen, NL
19 – EDP – Cologne, DE
20 – Kohi – Karlsruhe, DE
21 – Umsonst+Draußen Festival – Würzburg, DE
22 – Farewell Youth Fest – Dresden, DE
26 – Rock voor Specials – Doornzele, BE
27 – Grensrock – Menen, BE
28 – Jera On Air – Ysselsteyn, NL
28 – Kliko Fest – Haarlem, NL
July
05 – Wilde Weide – Kraggenburg, NL
17 – Dour Festival – Mons, BE
18 – Rock Herk – Herk-de-Stad, BE
19 – Zwarte Cross – Lichtenvoorde, NL
21 – Boomtown – Gent, BE
August
09 – Muhlen Madness Festival – Aachen, DE
14 – HfG Kapelle – Frankfurt, DE
15 – Bruckenfestival – Nürnberg, DE
16 – Druckluft – Oberhausen, DE
20 – Canela Party – Torremolinos, ES
* * *
Artist: PROJECTOR
Track: Collision
PROJECTOR have revealed a video for their new single Collision which arrives in celebration of the Brighton trio's signing to Alcopop! Records.
Commenting on the signing, label boss Jack Clothier said: “We’re absolutely made up to be signing PROJECTOR. That’s two of the best bands around in a week; I’m not sure how we got so lucky to be honest. Brighton is a heartland we’ve always loved, and the moment you listen to those huge, deep angular riffs that PROJECTOR produce, the cataclysmic underbelly busy ‘chaosing’ about while these dissonant melodies shimmer over the top...it’s like DITZ meets Scarfo (or Pixies for those not into subversive 1997 alt-indie). Producer Ben Hampson called it “a fight in a big metal bin”—that’s a far better description TBH. So excited for you to hear everything that’s coming up! See you at the front yeah?”
Collision is a snappy 2 minutes and 30 seconds that begins as a convulsive slice of staccato art-rock, before opening up into a soaring alt-rock chorus replete with playfully intertwining dual vocals from guitarist Edward and bassist Lucy. Collision immediately grabs from the opening note. That guitar riff is ear-worm material and the chorus is a bouncing joy. The vocals are so expressive, and the combination of both male and female voices jousting and then combining together adds an additional layer of spirit. And throughout all this the gloriously twitchy twangy guitars.
Commenting on the track, guitarist Edward said: "Collision is based on Crash, a J.G Ballard Novel. It’s about a group of guys who hang out getting all turned on over car crashes. I tried to incorporate Ballard’s technique of describing human feelings and functions with mechanical language. It was very fun, but the song ended up sounding like it’s about a car who wants to fuck.”
Recorded and produced by Ben Hampson (DITZ, Lambrini Girls) and mastered by Katie Tavini, the official video for the new single was shot and directed by Avocado Baby Films. Bassist Lucy shares the following on the video: "Being, as I am, from a long line of south London mechanics, but unable personally to change a wheel, I felt that a video set in a garage would honour that lineage whilst complementing Edward's deviant car-themed lyrics. We worked with our long-term collaborator Sam Morris of Avocado Baby Films, who has patiently brought our ideas to life for 2 years now with total DIY spirit."
PROJECTOR Live Dates:
May
29-30 – Supersonic Block Party // Paris (FR)
October
8 – Reims // La Cartonnerie (FR)
9 – Rennes // L’Antipode (FR)
10 – Paris // Point Éphémère (FR)
11 – Lille // L’Aeronef (FR)
13 – Birmingham // Sunflower Lounge (UK)
14 – Sheffield // Hallamshire Hotel (UK)
15 – Manchester // 33 Oldham St (UK)
16 – Bristol // The Louisiana (UK)
17 – London // The Lower Third (UK)
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