Encapuchados

The song Encapuchados by Bersuit Vergarabat stands out for its explosive blend of rock with Latin rhythms that, in just 4 minutes and 23 seconds, conveys a rebellious and contagious energy. The track not only breaks away from the traditional structure of Argentine rock from the late 90s, but also incorporates elements of murga, candombe, and even tango, creating a sound that feels like a street protest but with a rhythm that invites dancing. The lyrics, packed with irony and social criticism, use strong imagery—such as the hooded figures—to address exclusion and institutional violence without resorting to pamphleteering. What’s most striking is how the band makes that tension between the political and the festive sound natural, as if the song had been born in a march but with a bassline that pulses like in a nightclub.

The song is part of Bersuit Vergarabat’s DNA during a time when the group was exploring hybrid sounds between rock and Latin American roots. The track was recorded when the band already had a defined identity but was still looking to break free from genre molds. Although there are no records of specific anecdotes about its recording, the result reflects that search: guitars that cut like knives, percussion that mimics street marches, and vocals that intertwine between choral and guttural. The fact that the lineup that recorded it included figures like Gustavo Cordera (vocals) and Pepe Céspedes (bass)—two pillars of the band’s sound—explains why the song has that mix of rawness and groove that makes it unmistakable. Today, Encapuchados remains a recurring track in their live shows, as if time had not passed for a song that, from its title, already announced it came to unsettle.