The iconic rock en español band, Comisario Pantera, is stepping confidently into a new musical phase that embraces experimentation while honoring their roots. With the release of “Vuélveme a besar”, the first single of their upcoming album “Ayer y hoy”, the band makes a bold statement: evolution and essence can coexist.
This track marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration with Guatemalan singer Fabiola Roudha, whose powerhouse voice brings a fresh emotional depth to the band’s signature sound. What makes the pairing so special is how naturally it came together, when lead singer Dario Vital heard Fabiola sing at a venue in Los Angeles and instantly envisioning a bolero in her voice. The result is a bolero-rock fusion, debuted in front of thousands during the golden hour at Tecate Pal Norte. A moment both artists describe as unforgettable.
INTERVIEW WITH DARIO FROM COMISARIO PANTERA AND FABIOLA ROUDHA
In this candid interview, we catch up with Dario and Fabiola fresh off their performances at two major festivals (Tecate Pal Norte and Festival City) to talk about how their collaboration came to life and what’s next for both of them. With reflections on musical growth, creative risks, and a sneak peek at the upcoming tour and album, this conversation dives into the heart of a band that refuses to stay still, and a singer who’s fearlessly expanding her voice across genres and borders.
You both had an amazing performance at Tecate Pal’ Norte and Festival City. How do you feel after being part of these mega festivals
DARIO VITAL (COMISARIO PANTERA): Really happy about being back to Tecate Pal’ Norte and it was also our first time performing at City. Before the presentation at Tecate Pal’ Norte they told us that our set was going to start at 4 pm, and we were a bit worried because Monterrey is very hot. But seeing the stage filled with people who wanted to see us live felt like a great accomplishment. Plus we had Faby debuting our new bolero song “Vuélveme a besar” during the golden hour. That was the most rocker thing we have done.
FABIOLA ROUDHA: It was an incredible experience. I had never performed at a festival like Tecate Pal’ Norte, and I was finally able to do so this year with Comisario Pantera by debuting the new song “Vuélveme a besar”. This single is a bolero, which you don’t usually hear at music festivals, but people loved it! It has been such a lovely experience to play this song together, bring it to festivals and to my Guatemala, as well as other countries in Central America and see the same warm reception from the audience.
How did the collaboration for the song “Vuélveme a besar” come about?
DARIO VITAL (COMISARIO PANTERA): I didn’t know Fabiola, but I loved her singing in Los Angeles. I knew that a bolero song would sound great in her voice and created a melody for her. Soon after we started chatting about the idea of doing the song in collaboration with Comisario Pantera. I told them to imagine The Beatles playing And I Love Her and it was an immediate “Yes!”. The band loved the song, the mix of voices, and Fabiola’s level of interpretation. We decided it had to be part of the new album “Ayer y hoy” with “Vuélveme a besar” as the first single.
Will you bring the acoustic set with Comisario to California?
FABIOLA ROUDHA: Yes! We will be playing at LP Vinyl Bar in Los Angeles this Wednesday, April 16. We will play the new single “Vuélveme a besar”. With these events we also want to connect with fans, meet them, and for them to listen to our music in a closer environment, which is harder to do at a festival. That’s what makes these events so special.
What can you tell fans about your next album “Ayer y hoy”?
DARIO VITAL (COMISARIO PANTERA): It is a hybrid album with 11 tracks. We will be releasing singles and in the first part of the year the album will be released. Then we will have a tour and we hope to bring the new songs to fans in the US, Mexico and other places if possible.
Fabiola, how does it feel to add your voice to different musical expressions?
FABIOLA ROUDHA: It is always a challenge because my main musical genres are soul and R&B fused with badlands, rock and folk. Boleros require a different type of complexity, whether it is in the way you sign, write or produce it. I do like experimenting with sounds and this genre has opened many doors for me and. I have gained many learnings from working with Daniela Romo and Comisario Pantera, and people love how we match musically. Because it’s not about having competing voices, but about how we both tie our voices together harmonically.
Dario, is this the beginning of more collaborations for Comisario Pantera?
DARIO VITAL (COMISARIO PANTERA): It’s true that the band’s career has been lonely when it comes to collaborations. We have done two collaborations in four albums with Enjambre’s Luis Humberto Navejas for the song “Murasaki” and “Historia” with Senti Balmes from Love of Lesbian. We create music with those artists we have shared a lot of moments with. For example, we have been chatting with Daniel Gutiérrez (La Gusana Ciega), with whom we started the band with. Our first EP “Cómo la vez primera” released in 2010 was produced by Daniel, and we feel it’s the right time to create something together because this album is all about how we have been growing.
Would the band continue to evolve with new sounds?
DARIO VITAL (COMISARIO PANTERA): We experimented with new rhythms since our album “Cosmovisiones“. It was here when we noticed how some listeners questioned our new sounds, but we know that we are still Comisario Pantera, we just took our music beyond our usual sounds. We doubted ourselves for a second, but at the same time, our album was nominated to the Latin Grammy in the category of best pop/rock album.
Our next album will showcase our evolving sound. How we did things, what we learned and how we are doing music today. We would also like to remaster an old song with our new musical knowledge, adding everything we have lived and experimented on from both our personal and professional career.
Fabiola, what other surprises can we expect from you in 2025?
FABIOLA ROUDHA: I’m doing a musical back in Guatemala where I performed as Rocio Dúrcal. I am also composing new music and preparing everything I’m launching this year. My latest tour “Un viaje en espiral” ended back in December, and now I can’t wait to release new songs.
What are your most played on Spotify at this moment?
DARIO VITAL (COMISARIO PANTERA): I love Weezer, especially their latest albums. I’m a fan of this band because they continue to reinvent themselves, they are not afraid to do new things, and also continue to captivate new audiences with their latest tracks.
FABIOLA ROUDHA: My playlist is quite eclectic. I’ve been listening to Lauryn Hill, Carole King, and others nonstop.
And finally, what’s a must-have item on tour?
DARIO VITAL (COMISARIO PANTERA): Sunglasses. It could be a cool accessory or you might be hiding whatever happened over the past few days. You will never know…
FABIOLA ROUDHA: I always carry an item that has an eye on it. For example a ring with an eye. It’s not an amulet, just something I like. I always have an eye in my music videos, or onstage as audiovisuals. This time I have it in my keychain.
