If you needed further evidence of the legitimacy the Greek heavy underground has long since deserved but finally actually begun to receive from the wider European sphere — and I’m not sure you were standing around waiting for said evidence, and really, what is truth anyway but a series of convenient constructed narratives intended to serve a momentary purpose? — I humbly submit Villagers of Ionnina City, who’ve inked a deal with Napalm Records after releasing their lush and conceptual masterwork Age of Aquarius, on Mantra Records this past Fall. Napalm will issue the album on vinyl April 3 — preorders are up, because why the hell not — and I suspect that for those who’ve already heard it, it’s a pretty easy sell.

I was already looking for Villagers of Ionnina City to make something of a splash in 2020 after they recently signed with Sound of Liberation for European booking, and the fact that they’ve now joined the ranks of Stoned Jesus, Greenleaf, Monkey3 and recent Grammy nominees Candlemass certainly isn’t going to hurt their cred as they venture forth into the New Year. Best of luck to them, and congrats all around.

More to come, I’m sure. The PR wire has the official word:

VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY Signs Worldwide Contract With Napalm Records

Physical Re-Release Of Latest Album, Age Of Aquarius, Out April 3, 2020

A psychedelic mantra for the new age!

Experimental psychedelic rock standouts VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY have officially signed a worldwide contract with Napalm Records.

Since their formation in 2007, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY have drawn listeners into the heat – their sound slowly flowing melancholically yet booming with irrepressible energy and wildness. With a sonic synthesis of post and stoner rock influences and waving yet vibrant soundscapes topped by a large dose of Greek-folk elements, the quintet precisely hits the mark.

VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY released their atmospheric debut, Riza, in 2014 followed by the sophomore digital album, Age of Aquarius (2019), which was enthusiastically received by critics and audiences.

Napalm Records is thrilled to announce the physical re-release of Age of Aquarius on April 3, 2020.

VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY on the signing:

“We are very happy and thrilled to announce the beginning of our collaboration with Napalm Records! One of the leading rock/metal labels in the world. You can only be honored to be a part of such a great roster of artists and we are looking forward to our collaboration, which came at the right place and the right time to spread the message and the music of our new album “Age of Aquarius” all around the world.”
Age of Aquarius available on CD and Vinyl soon!

About Age of Aquarius:

The region of Epirus is famous for its landscape of mammoth mountains and holy rivers – and now experimental heavy rock. VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY are deeply influenced by Greek nature and cosmic phenomena and infuse their unique brand of heavy psychedelic rock with folk instruments such as bagpipes, flutes and didgeridoos. Their second album, Age of Aquarius – originally released in September 2019 – will now be reissued by Napalm Records. Epirus may become the unlikely epicenter of the heavy rock universe: A mantra for the new age!

The first physical edition of Age of Aquarius will be exclusively available on the band’s upcoming tour!

Providing more proof of the budding Greek rock scene is this year’s music documentary, “Greek Rock Revolution”. VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY and six other bands discuss their music and the eternal inspiration for the Greek musical movement – an unstable social situation boosting artistic expression.

More to be announced …

VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY are:
Alex (guitar/vox)
Akis (bass)
Aris (drums)
Kostantis (clarinet, winds)
Kostas (bagpipe)

https://www.facebook.com/villagersofioanninacity/
https://www.instagram.com/villagersofioanninacity
https://vicband.bandcamp.com/
www.napalmrecords.com

Villagers of Ionnina City, Age of Aquarius (2019)

Progressive, heavy and psychedelic in a fluid balance that also incorporates elements out of Greek folk, the new album from four-piece Villagers of Ionnina City, dubbed and themed around a mythical Age of Aquarius, is really good. Like, really, really good. Greek bands have been killing it in general the last few years — 1000mods of course, but also acts like Planet of Zeus, Naxatras certainly, Puta Volcano, Bus, Sadhus and many others others are stepping from behind the veil of their influences to make statements of their own, and that’s exactly what Villagers of Ionnina City seem to be doing on their second long-player. The album came out in a rush in late September, but I admit I’m still getting to know it as I’ve only had it for a couple days, but it’s got an apparent depth of approach and a conceptual and linear form of songwriting that’s engrossing in a way that bodes well for how it will unfold over longer-term listening.

I’ll be digging in, I guess is what I’m saying.

They’ve just hooked up with Sound of Liberation — one might recall they played Up in Smoke in 2018, which is an affiliated fest — so expect copious European tour dates to come soon. They would seem to be one of many bands from their home country ready to break out. I say go. Go go go. The more the merrier. Greece has a scene at this point that stands up to Germany, Sweden, or even the UK, and it’s as diverse as it is populated. The more people who find out about it the better.

From Sound of Liberation on thee social medias:

VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY JOIN THE SOUND OF LIBERATION FAMILY

Meet Villagers of Ioannina City ! One of the leading Greek heavy rock bands, with a strong footing in the wealthy folk musical tradition of Epirus, furnished with consistent alt-metal and post rock sonic landscapes.

The inspired mixture of classic rock grooves dwelling between Black Sabbath, Tool and Pearl Jam with the traditional instruments and scales from the Greek rich musical past, created a blend meant to strike an impression both locally and internationally.

Their new album, “Age Of Aquarius”, is exactly what the title implies. A whole new era of creation and experimentation, keeping on board the traditional scent that lies in their roots and at the same time, a modern soundwave of heaviness and atmosphere.

In the meantime feel free to join them on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villagersofioanninacity

Listen to “Age of Aquarius” on Spotify and all digital platforms here: https://orcd.co/vic_ageofaquarius

https://www.facebook.com/villagersofioanninacity/
https://www.instagram.com/villagersofioanninacity
https://vicband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mantrarec/
https://www.instagram.com/mantrarecords.gr/
https://www.mantrarecords.gr/
https://www.facebook.com/Soundofliberation/
https://www.instagram.com/soundofliberation/
https://www.soundofliberation.com/

Villagers of Ionnina City, Age of Aquarius (2019)