{"id":45453,"date":"2026-09-11T20:23:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T18:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tempelores.com\/?p=45453"},"modified":"2026-08-30T14:30:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T12:30:40","slug":"villagers-of-ioannina-city-venceremos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tempelores.com\/?p=45453","title":{"rendered":"Villagers of Ioannina City – Venceremos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Releasedate:   <\/em>18-09-2026\nLabel: <\/em> Napalm Records<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
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<\/strong> (VIC hereafter) aren\u2019t in a hurry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Years pass between their album releases, but when you consider the end result, it\u2019s clear they know how to make the most of their time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t get me wrong, but I was quite skeptical, perhaps to an excessive degree, about the post-\u201cRiza\u201d era, and at first, \u201cThe Age of Aquarius\u201d didn\u2019t win me over; it did, however, as time went on. And now, listening to \u201cVenceremos,\u201d I realize I did VIC an injustice.
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After listening once again to \u201cThe Age of Aquarius\u201d, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a brief introduction, \u201cHome\u201d showcases VIC\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.
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\u201cThat sun was mine and yours: we shared it who suffers behind the golden silk, who dies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A woman cried out, beating her dry chest: Cowards took my children and tore them apart; you killed them<\/p>\n\n\n\n
as you gazed with strange expressions at the fireflies in the night absent-minded in a blind gathering,\u201d 
wrote the great greek poet in his poem \u201cOur Sun,\u201d and his own voice floats above the calm melodies with boundless respect so that his words may be heard clearly.
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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.
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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 \u201chaze\u201d that initially conveys a slight creative grief, ultimately culminating in a requiem that sounds more optimistic.
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Alongside VIC\u2019s overall sonic evolution, the album features synths reminiscent of \u201980s prog rock albums (see Genesis), and overall, in quite a few places, I\u2019m reminded of bands like Green Carnation though perhaps that\u2019s partly due to the many hours I\u2019ve spent listening to their trilogy \u201cA Dark Poem.\u201d
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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\u2019ll go next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Humbly, I bow my head in respect and admit my mistake. VIC finally managed to win me over again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Line up:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n