Abyecta – Inténtalo o Muere EP
Metal-punk at its best with Spanish lyrics, memorable hooks, riffs, and fierce vocals all the way.
If you’ve been following your favorite punk photographers lately, you’ve probably seen Abyecta popping up all over your feed during their current US tour. The shots from March 26 at Don Quixote in LA with Taqbir were especially killer, and that was a good enough reason to push me finally sit down with their latest 45 RPM, Inténtalo o Muere. It comes out via Metadona Records with a great-looking poster included, and there’s also a tape version through Alto Riesgo.
Abyecta started around 2019 when singer/guitarist Canibalina moved from Chile to Barcelona and formed the band with drummer Marc Boleas, leading to the Infrafuturo EP in 2020. Like with so many bands, the Covid pandemic fucked things up, and she ended up back in Chile, continuing Abyecta with drummer Benjamin Orrego. Since then the band has morphed again and is now based in the US as a solid three-piece, clearly intended for playing live shows.
Despite all these lineup changes, the sound hasn’t drifted much. If anything, Inténtalo o Muere feels more original and mature. The lead single, “Inténtalo O Muere,” takes up almost the absolute limit of a seven-inch side, stretching past five minutes. The song is an excellent hybrid of speed metal and punk that leans into big guitar leads, dramatic breaks, and driving rhythms without losing its hardcore intensity.
On the B-side, “Amo Y Esclavo” keeps that same approach, opening with a long instrumental section before kicking into a fast, pounding rhythm. There are also some awesome acapella parts and an unexpected level of catchiness in the middle of the track, which really stick with you. This is probably the best Abyecta track so far. The heavy metal influence is still front and center, but the mohawks-and-spiky-jackets vibe never fades. You can hear a wide range of influences in Abyecta’s music, from all-female bands like Las Brujas or Leather Angel to speed metal acts like Razor, Whiplash, and Exciter, alongside the obvious Motörhead, Discharge and Broken Bones basics, and especially the Japanese legacy of The Comes, Execute, Clay, or Death Side.
Along with bands like Ayucaba or Inyección, Abyecta are part of a new wave bringing that Japanese-inspired sound into a fresh context, combining it with a strong Latin American attitude. Inténtalo o Muere is really well put together, and I’d say Abyecta are definitely one of the best punk bands right now.
