Villagers of Ioannina City to Release Venceremos Sept. 18
Posted in Whathaveyou on June 23rd, 2026 by JJ Koczan
Last Fall, when Greek heavy progressive rockers Villagers of Ioannina City announced their new album, Venceremos, for release on Napalm Records by unveiling the cover art, it was listed as a Spring ’26 release, timed to coincide with a month of touring between March and April of this year. Obviously I wouldn’t be posting about a Sept. 18 release now if the album was already out, and while I don’t know what happened to cause the delay, there’s talk of another tour being lined up for next Spring, so they’ll hit the road behind the album one way or the other.
The first single is out now for streaming, and whether you’re on the audio or video end of the a/v divide, both are down at the bottom of this post. I hear metallic urgency in that riff and in the production by guitarist/vocalist/synthesist Alex Karametis, and fair enough. It’s been seven years since Villagers of Ioannina City released what at the time felt like a defining statement in Age of Aquarius, and while the elements of Mediterranean folk are less emphasized in “Ghosts in the Sky,” the overall increase in reach feels like a progression in songwriting rather than a divergence from their overarching mission. Curious what the rest of the album will bring to the balance.
To the PR wire, then:
VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY Announce New Studio Album Venceremos and Release First Video Single “Ghosts in the sky”!
New Album Out September 18, 2026 via Napalm Records
Pre-Order Venceremos HERE: https://lnk.to/VillagersOfIoanninaCity-Venceremos
Greek heavy rock visionaries VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY return with Venceremos, their bold and immersive new studio album, set for release on September 18, 2026 via Napalm Records. Expanding their sonic universe beyond its roots, the band delivers their most ambitious and conceptually driven work to date, blending heavy rock, progressive metal, distinct folk and Hellenic textures into a raw, direct and intense listening experience. Pre-orders for Venceremos start today.
Set in a dystopian future shaped by illusion, control and fear, Venceremos unfolds as a journey through exile, resistance and awakening. It follows those who rise against a broken world, rejecting gods and modern kings in order to reclaim freedom and meaning. Through struggles, hopes, fears and deep reflections on existence, one truth remains constant: the quest is one, and its name is freedom.
Driven by epic guitars, pulsating basslines and layered traditional instrumentation, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY’s first single “Ghosts in the sky” builds a dense, immersive atmosphere where powerful heavy rock meets ritualistic psychedelia.
““Ghosts in the sky” is the vessel that carries all our hopes and dreams“, the band reveals. “It is a call to stand together in the face of fear, where hope travels like a distant star and freedom is worth every fight. It’s about defiance, unity, and believing in change, even when everybody says it won’t come.“
Rather than bending to trends, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY sharpen their identity. The upcoming album presents itself as heavy, direct and intense, driven by a raw and immediate energy. It leans decisively into heavy rock and metal, pushing into more aggressive territory while unfolding with a genuinely progressive spirit, where each composition evolves with purpose and depth.
Ritualistic rhythms, expansive arrangements and traditional instrumentation such as bagpipes and zourna are not mere embellishments, but essential elements of the band’s sonic language. Folk and Hellenic elements meet powerful riffs and dynamic structures in a sound that feels direct, distinctive and entirely their own.
Produced and recorded by Alex Karametis at Magnanimous X Studio in Greece, and mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Venceremos captures clarity and depth in equal measure. With this release, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY deliver a powerful statement and a journey through darkness, defiance and the unbreakable force of rebellion. As one of the key names in post-stoner and heavy prog rock, the band once again reinforces their place within the scene, with Venceremos standing as a defining step in their ongoing evolution.
Pre-order Venceremos now at this location:
http://lnk.to/VillagersOfIoanninaCity-Venceremos
Venceremos Tracklist:
1. Alienation
2. Home
3. Ghosts in the sky
4. Venceremos
5. The Ruiner
6. No fear
7. Here and now
8. Epitaph
9. Requiem
In support of Venceremos, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY will play an album release show in Athens taking place on September 20 at the Lycabettus Theatre, one of the city’s most legendary open-air venues, before the band embarks on a series of shows across Greece’s major cities and an extensive European Tour in March 2027 with dates to be announced soon.
Villagers of Ioannina City are:
Vocals, Guitars, Synths: Alex Karametis
Bass: Akis Zois
Drums: Aris Giannopoulos
Dimitris Brentas – Winds
https://www.vic-band.com
https://vicband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/villagersofioanninacity
https://www.facebook.com/villagersofioanninacity
www.napalmrecords.com
https://www.instagram.com/napalmrecordsofficial/
www.facebook.com/napalmrecords
