We too are well-intentioned assholes
De punkband Maria Iskariot – vernoemd naar de heilige maagd Maria én verrader Judas Iskariot – is The punk band Maria Iskariot – named after the holy virgin Mary and traitor Judas Iscariot – is self-proclaimed “patron saint of questionable behavior.” No Gregorian chants or figurines-with-tears for this Mary. No, you’re gonna get semi-adult punk rock from Flanders! Mary Iscariot brings love for the unloved, figs after Easter and above all: a genuflection to sinners. At times sweet, at other times savage.
As the name suggests: this band goes hard on contradictions. What is good and what is bad? Is there always a stark dividing line? Or is it and-and? Maria Iskariot’s rattling (in all the right ways!) debut EP “EN/EN” was released in April 2024 by the Burning Fik label. The album is about growing up, right and wrong, being confused by oneself and the conditions of our time. It’s about wanting to be different but not knowing how. (And then eventually realizing that people are just well-intentioned scumbags too – just like you.)
Front woman and lyricist Helena Cazaerck studied Philosophy and worked as a journalist. That background can be heard in the themes the band addresses. Philosophy in the moshpit! Even better: the first fan who had a stack of notes on Nietzsche signed after a performance is already a fact. As if that were not impressive enough: this year Maria Iskariot also won ‘s Humo’s Rock Rally, one of the most important Belgian music awards.