Maria Iskariot

Maria Iskariot is a punk band from Ghent, consisting of Helena Cazaerck (vocals and guitar), Loeke Vanhoutteghem (guitar), Amanda Barbosa (bass), and Sybe Versluys (drums). Their sound is raw and uncompromising, defined by sharp songwriting, a strong DIY spirit, and intensely powerful live performances that have quickly set them apart on the European punk scene. Rooted in Dutch-language punk, their music tackles coming-of-age, the search for identity, and the gray areas between good and evil, seeking tiny cracks of hope within an almost omnipresent sense of chaos — what the band describes as "optimistic hopelessness."

Fronted by Helena Cazaerck, whose background in philosophy and journalism translates directly into confrontational yet playful lyrics, Maria Iskariot garnered wider attention with their debut EP "EN/EN" (2024), released via the Dutch label Burning Fik. A key moment in their rise came with their victory at the 2024 Humo’s Rock Rally, Belgium’s most prestigious music competition. Their reputation as a powerful live act soon took them beyond Belgian borders, touring with bands like Hang Youth and Tropical Fuck Storm across the UK and Northern Europe, where they proved night after night that their energy and humor effortlessly break through language barriers.