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09/14/2026

Puerta Negra - The OMN Interview

By MATT HANSEN // Portland EBM duo who recently released the EP 'Metafísica' will play Star Theater on Oct. 10th

The Portland EBM duo Puerta Negra is proof that electronic music is a language that all countries speak; Electronic Body Music itself being a genre that first started in Belgium and Germany in the 1980s. Puerta Negra although, make EBM for 2026, with fiery Spanish lyrics of current political awareness and social commentary that is right at home in one of America’s most liberal cities. On the new EP Metafísica, Mark (synthesizers, vocals) and Maria (vocals) have captured their live energy on the recording as the driving bass pattern of their production and the roar of their dynamic vocals never rests, even for a second.

On "Complejo de Victima" the band turns up the synth-punk intensity as Maria's agile range moves seamlessly between bellowing shouts and vicious lines of scornful vigor. Mark's vocals being the response to Maria's call to action, whipping you into a frenzy with oscillating synths and bass. We were able to speak to Mark and Maria ahead of their show at Star Theater to discuss their new EP, synthesizers, and bootlicker EBM bands.

Oregon Music News: The cover art for your recent EP Metafísica is very cyberpunk/bondage. Who did the art and what was the inspiration behind it? 

Maria: I’ve done all the illustrations for this project and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I try to match up the artwork with the themes of the songs I write. On this record, my lyrics and themes along with the sampling play heavily into mind control and brainwashing through religion and government. There are also pretty blatant references made to the MK-Ultra mind control experiments. I played a little with what some refer to as the “consciousness energy grid.” Finally, I added a little razzle dazzle of my own. That’s how I ended up with this cover art. I added some silly characters on the center label of the record to show a more playful side. I had a lot of fun with it. 

OMN: I did notice that a lot of the vocal samples on Metafísica seem to deal with brainwashing, or just sound like that after multiple repetitions. Can you tell us how you chose those sounds?

Mark: Most vocal samples were used because of how they aligned with the lyrical themes. As they tend to be both textural elements in the composition as well as poetic, there is an interesting balance between not revealing too much about the lyrics to force an interpretation and ensuring they sit well rhythmically in the song.

OMN: You recently had your record release at The Six, was that for physical copies of Metafísica? Is there anywhere around Portland we can pick up the record? 

Mark: Yes exactly! The 12” vinyl was released by Oràculo Records out of Barcelona, Spain. We have some copies available at our shows. A cassette version is being released by Accident Prone records, which is currently based in Astoria, Oregon. We have yet to distribute our record to local shops so the only way to get copies is at our live shows for the time being.

OMN: If you could do a split record with any band living or dead, who would it be?

Maria: I think an interesting split would be Puerta Negra with a Norteño band like Los Tigres Del Norte or Ramon Ayala. Those are the bands that made me fall in love with music as a little girl. With the split you’d be able to see a sort of evolutionary timeline and experience some of the juxtaposition existing inside of me. 

OMN: Have you ever seen the movie Poppers (1984)? I think your music would sound amazing in that film!

Maria: A few months ago, I got the Exorcismo box set of Spanish horror films released after the Franco dictatorship ended. Believe it or not I have not gotten around to watching Poppers yet. It’s on my list though. 

OMN: Your subject matter is very outspoken about many social issues and having your own voice within the genre. What is the story behind the lyrics for "Complejo de Victima"?

Maria: I wrote the song when I reflected on people and situations from my past. I’m sure we have all dealt with these types of clowns. They are constantly negative and angry and talking shit about everyone and they never want anyone else to be happy. When you try to grow and evolve it fucks with them and in their mind you become an enemy. I think the true freedom comes when you learn that you just have to do whatever the fuck you need to do to become better than you were yesterday. And if someone doesn’t want that for you, then fuck them. The song is just about identifying those types and not taking any shit from them. 

OMN: Some themes of EBM music in the past have critiqued totalitarian control by the government. Do you think anything has changed in that aspect of the genre in 2026?

Maria: Hard to say because I don’t know of all the new bands in the genre. I’d like to think we all have a common goal of obliterating fascism and bigots. But judging by the current political climate and the shit-for-brains administration, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were bootlicker EBM bands. There are certainly boot lickers in every genre. They can all fuck off. 

OMN: Do you collect synthesizers? Is Portland a great hub for that? 

Mark: I have some synthesizers but I’m not a collector. If I’m buying a synth, it’s because I have a very specific use in mind. If I don’t use a synth, or any instrument, for that matter, I usually sell it to fund other gear purchases. Portland can definitely be a good place to find interesting deals on synths. There is notably Control Voltage but I’ve found craigslist to be a good source as well. I think the last synth I bought was an old Roland D-550 rack version of the classic D-50 from the 1980s, which I was using on a song for a project called Murray Kitschmas. 

OMN: You have opened for some amazing acts in the time you have been around. Who has been your favorite or truly an honor to play for?

Maria: I think my favorite performances have been those we have done in festival settings. The energy and the preparation that go into participating in festivals have always been, for me, conducive to electric performances. You can usually feel the magic emanating from every band that goes on stage. My favorite band to play with is a band that is genuinely happy to be doing it and couldn’t imagine not doing it. Sometimes you look forward to playing with bands you’ve listened to for 20 years and find they are assholes. Sometimes you play with a band you have never heard before and fall in love with them. Every show contains an element of excitement for me. FREE PALESTINE. FUCK THE POLICE. NO JUSTICE ON STOLEN LAND.

Show Alert: Kontravoid / Buzz Kull / Spike Hellis / Normal Bias / Puerta Negra at Star Theater on Saturday, Oct. 10th, 2025. Doors 7:00PM / Show 8:00PM / (Tickets) 21+ Show 

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