Greek heavy psychedelic rock pioneers “Villagers of Ioannina City” are returning to Belgrade after three years, this time performing at “Ložionica” on the 24th of October, as part of their upcoming “Venceremos” tour, thanks to “MM concerts” and “Serbian Hellbangers”.
The Greek quartet has already built a strong following in Serbia, with all their previous shows in the country selling out. Their return promises another night of heavy riffs, psychedelic atmospheres, progressive rock dynamics and the distinctive Greek folk influences that have become a defining part of the Villagers of Ioannina City sound.
The upcoming tour takes its name from the band’s highly anticipated third studio album, Venceremos, which will be released worldwide on 18th of September through Napalm Records. With Venceremos, Villagers of Ioannina City are taking their sound into even heavier and more progressive territory. According to Napalm Records, the album combines heavy rock, progressive metal and distinctive folk and Hellenic elements, while exploring a dystopian world shaped by fear, illusion and control. The band describes the album’s central idea as a story about a world built on fear, illusion and control, and about those who refuse to submit, searching once again for freedom, truth and meaning among the ruins. “The quest is one, and its name is freedom.” The album features nine tracks, including “Alienation,” “Home,” “Ghosts in the Sky,” “Venceremos,” “The Ruiner,” “No Fear,” “Here and Now,” “Epitaph” and “Requiem.”
The first singles, “Ghosts in the Sky” and “Venceremos,” have already introduced listeners to the new material. The title track is described as an epic centerpiece of the album, while “Requiem” closes the record with a progressive composition lasting more than seven minutes. The album was produced and recorded by guitarist and vocalist Alex Karametis at “Magnanimous-X” Studio in Greece, with mixing and mastering handled by Jacob Hansen at “Hansen Studios” in Denmark.
Formed in Ioannina, Greece, in 2007, Villagers of Ioannina City have developed a unique musical identity by combining heavy psychedelic and stoner rock with progressive rock, traditional Greek music and experimental elements. Their sound is particularly influenced by the musical heritage and landscapes of the Epirus region, with instruments such as bagpipes, flutes, clarinet, kaval and didgeridoo appearing alongside heavy guitars and powerful rhythms.
The band’s breakthrough album, “Riza”, arrived in 2014, while their acclaimed second full-length, “Age of Aquarius”, was originally released in 2019. The latter expanded the band’s psychedelic and progressive approach and helped establish them as one of the most distinctive names in contemporary European heavy rock. Their live album “Through Space & Time (Alive in Athens 2020)” followed in 2021, documenting the band’s ability to translate their expansive studio sound into an intense live experience.
Tickets are on sale online through Gigastix for the price of 2.500 RSD for earlzbird presale, 3.500 RSD for regular presale and 4.500 RSD at the door.
