Ladrona – Lágrimas Pesadas EP

There’s been plenty of inflated egos, commercialism, and drama in hardcore lately, but up-and-coming bands like Ladrona give me hope for the genre. Hailing from Costa Rica, a scene I’d love to explore more, Ladrona borrows its name from the Spanish feminine word for thief, though it can also mean transgression. The band has long been a part of the local scene, and this is a natural continuation of their other project, Primavera, which we reviewed back in 2019.

Ladrona’s latest EP, Lágrimas Pesadas, dropped at the end of March 2025 via Tvmbalavalla, Pinches Discos, and Jungle Noise Records on vinyl, plus a tape version through The Seats of Piss Recs in Indonesia. It packs nine raging tracks brimming with feminist punk rage, decolonial memory, and a thread of queer tenderness. The guitars roar with a chainsaw tone, and the vocals, drenched in infernal reverb, sound downright possessed.

Furious d-beat tempos and well-placed breakdowns keep things dynamic, and while the songs are short and razor-sharp, there’s enough variety to make this EP feel like a full album, especially for those of us who appreciate brief, punchy sets. The Latinx and Central/South American hardcore scene has been putting out stellar work lately, and Ladrona fits right alongside bands like Hez (Panama), Heterofobia (Mexico), and Perra Vida (Peru).

Lyrically, Lágrimas Pesadas turns personal grief, radical social critique, and feminist solidarity into galloping d-beat of hope and resistance. Opener “No Acabarán” (They Won’t End Us) is a fierce declaration of queer angst reminiscent of all-time favorites like G.L.O.S.S., while the title track “Lágrimas Pesadas” (Heavy Tears) confronts structural violence, historical erasure, and the ongoing genocide in Palestine and beyond. “Incendios, Memorias” (Fires, Memories) continues this narrative with a reflection on exile, displacement, and survival. There’s also “Bicipunk”, a classic punk ode of disdain for cars, highways, and urban entrapment. “Nuestro Dolor” (Our Pain) is another highlight, addressing collective trauma and the power of caring for one another.

Lágrimas Pesadas is one of the best surprises I’ve stumbled upon recently, and I can’t recommend it enough. After touring Nicaragua, Mexico and Colombia since the band’s inception, Ladrona are heading to Europe in June and they’ll also play two of the absolute best DIY festivals around: K-Town Hardcore Fest in Copenhagen and IzeroFest in Poland. This is a band you don’t want to miss. Women. Life. Freedom.