Releasedate:   18-09-2026
Label:  Napalm Records

From their re-examination of the Greek musical tradition, through their shift toward more progressive paths, to the present day where heavy rock takes a back seat, one thing is certain: Villagers of Ioannina City (VIC hereafter) aren’t in a hurry.

Years pass between their album releases, but when you consider the end result, it’s clear they know how to make the most of their time.

Although one might think that the absence of the clarinist Konstantis Pistolis would slightly diminish the prestige of the band from Epirus, it seems, in the end, that it pushed them to reinvent themselves once again, this time granting that traditional autonomy to the tsambouna (it is a kind of bagpipe) player Kostas Lazos.

Don’t get me wrong, but I was quite skeptical, perhaps to an excessive degree, about the post-“Riza” era, and at first, “The Age of Aquarius” didn’t win me over; it did, however, as time went on. And now, listening to “Venceremos,” I realize I did VIC an injustice.

After listening once again to “The Age of Aquarius”, it felt like a flight into the unknown reaches of the Galaxy, while their new album smells of grass, oregano, and the Greek sea, meaning it sounds quite more earthly.

After a brief introduction, “Home” showcases VIC’s renewed musical vision which,with the help of a poem by Nobel Prize-winning poet Georgios Seferis, they welcome us into their home with an almost nostalgic atmosphere.

Their style seems to have darkened slightly, as if it had long been cast in the shadow of the majestic Pindus Mountains, and the laid-back heavy rock rhythms take us on an imaginary journey through lush green plains.

“That sun was mine and yours: we shared it who suffers behind the golden silk, who dies?

A woman cried out, beating her dry chest: Cowards took my children and tore them apart; you killed them

as you gazed with strange expressions at the fireflies in the night absent-minded in a blind gathering,”
wrote the great greek poet in his poem “Our Sun,” and his own voice floats above the calm melodies with boundless respect so that his words may be heard clearly.

Over the past seven years since their last release, VIC have traveled to many corners of the globe, carrying a rich musical tradition in their luggage. One that, while not literally the primary focus of their music, rhythmically, you can often hear the tsipouro and feta and I mean it without any trace of sarcasm.

The production was handled by the band themselves, specifically by singer/guitarist/composer Alex Karametis, with Jacob Hansen handling the mixing and mastering. The result is shrouded in a soothing “haze” that initially conveys a slight creative grief, ultimately culminating in a requiem that sounds more optimistic.

Alongside VIC’s overall sonic evolution, the album features synths reminiscent of ’80s prog rock albums (see Genesis), and overall, in quite a few places, I’m reminded of bands like Green Carnation though perhaps that’s partly due to the many hours I’ve spent listening to their trilogy “A Dark Poem.”

In conclusion, VIC worked with dedication, put their talents to ideal use, and presented an exceptionally well-orchestrated work that strikes a balance between folk, heavy rock, and prog, delivering to the listener a work of immense artistic value that leaves you wondering where they’ll go next.

Humbly, I bow my head in respect and admit my mistake. VIC finally managed to win me over again.

Line up:

• Alex Karametis – Vocals, Guitars, Synths
• Akis Zois – Bass
• Aris Giannopoulos – Drums
• Kostas Lazos – Winds, Tsambouna

Links:

Official
Bandcamp

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