Varsovia is a synthpunk trio from Lima, Perú composed of Carla Vallenas (vocals); Dante Gonzales on synthesizers, sequencing and production; and Fernando Pinzás on synths and production. Their debut Recursos Inhumanos (recorded with former member Sheri Corleone on vocals) is clearly inspired by industrial techno bands and the punk acts of the 70s, but that doesn’t make their debut a pastiche — they have developed their own energy and it’s pretty intense.
Tracks like “Pertenecemos a la Muerte” and the opener “Ellos Quieren Sangre” are just as defiant as they are danceable. The beats and synths are carefully crafted (and really well-executed), while the lyrics cover topics such as death or genocide without sounding like the goth guy from poetry class.
Take for example “Los Asesinos Están de Vuelta,” one of the most defiant songs on the record. A steady beat, and the synth work set the mood whilst the voice condemns “…O quizás nunca se han ido,” maybe talking about the US-pressured “Masacre de Bagua” in 2009, or maybe talking about Ayotzinapa’s normalistas… The song does good work in capturing the feelings of impotence and rage all these situations draw.
In “Cardenal en el Infierno” the lead vocals sing repeatedly to a priest trapped in hell “¿Qué se siente ver el cielo desde tan lejos?” while a thick synth melody plays in the bottom and two noisy guitars unleash their distorted fury — a big protest coming from a supposedly laic country who finances the catholic church.
The record also features two tracks recorded live that can help you get more familiar with Varsovia’s work on stage. Or you can catch them at Lima’s Maquinaciones, a festival featuring other underground electronic music acts happening on March 13th.
Recursos Inhumanos is out via Buh Records.