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
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.
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
Posted in Whathaveyou on October 27th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
Venceremos is the name of the forthcoming and awaited long-player from Villagers of Ioannina City, their first album in six years (third overall), first new studio release since signing to Napalm Records after self-issuing 2019’s Age of Aquarius, and indeed the awaited follow-up to that offering, which became a landmark bringing a progressive creative voice to the Greek heavy underground. Texturally and in the complexity of their intent, Villagers of Ioannina City found their own direction and have basically been leaving their mark with it on stages ever since (or since conditions permitted, anyway; plague years apply). I’ve heard no audio from the album and have no real details to share here except for the cover art, which came down the PR wire with the title, which is Greek for ‘we will win.’ Uh, you guys won more than half a decade ago, but cool to express some confidence.
Let’s assume the release, not yet done being recorded, will be out before the band undertakes their Spring ’26 headlining European tour in March and April, or during that tour, and while we’re assuming, it’s probably safe to figure the March/April stint won’t be their last supporting the album. As for the album, right onto the list of 2026’s most anticipated records it goes. I feel like the world (in the very limited underground heavy manifestation thereof) has been waiting to see how Age of Aquarius would be answered by Villagers of Ioannina City as they move forward. Knowing we’re a bit closer to that is exciting.
To the aforementioned PR wire:
VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY Reveal Cover Art for New Studio Album “Venceremos”, And Announce Major 2026 European Tour!
Greek heavy rock powerhouse VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY have revealed the cover art and title of their upcoming studio album, Venceremos, set for release in Spring 2026 via Napalm Records!
While details of the album remain under wraps, this announcement marks the beginning of an exciting new era for one of Europe’s most visionary and genre-defying acts.
“We’ve been silent, off the stage and out of sight for over a year. But there was a reason for the silence, every bit of focus, energy, and fire went into the creation of our new album, ” the band reveals.
“We’re delighted to share that the recordings are nearly finished. The new album is set to rise in Spring 2026 via Napalm Records, but we couldn’t wait to reveal the cover, featuring stunning artwork once again crafted by Fotis Varthis and a layout designed by Ilias ‘SpyOne’ Tsafaras.
And its title…“VENCEREMOS”
Stay tuned. The storm is coming… release date, pre-orders, and more exciting news soon. The quest is one, the name is Freedom!”
Alongside the reveal, the band has announced a headline European tour for March and April 2026, their most extensive run to date. Find all dates listed below!
Rooted deep in the mysticism of Epirus and driven by a relentless creative spirit, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY have carved out a sound that bridges ancient tradition and modern heaviness — fusing the raw pulse of psychedelic and stoner rock with the soul of Balkan folklore. The result is a sound that’s as massive and hypnotic as it is deeply human.
Since their breakout with Riza and their critically acclaimed follow-up Age of Aquarius (2019), the band has risen from Greece’s underground to become one of the continent’s most electrifying live forces. Their performances are immersive, transcendent experiences; a collision of primal rhythm, cosmic energy, and cultural heritage that has captivated audiences across Europe.
From Hellfest and Motocultor to Rockwave and Graspop, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY have earned a reputation for commanding festival stages and delivering unforgettable, high-voltage shows that blur the lines between ritual and rock concert.
With Venceremos on the horizon and a brand-new European tour incoming, the band stands ready to take their explosive sound even further!
Venceremos Tour 2026 – Part I: 05.03.26 / Skopje – MKC 06.03.26 / Novi Sad – SKCNS Fabrika 07.03.26 / Zagreb – Boogaloo 08.03.26 / Wien – Szene 10.03.26 / Prague – Rock Café 11.03.26 / Krakow – Hype Park 12.03.26 / Warsaw – Proxima 13.03.26 / Berlin – Hole⁴⁴ 14.03.26 / Hamburg – Bahnhof Pauli 15.03.26 / Copenhagen – Lille Vega 17.03.26 / Köln – Bürgerhaus Stollwerck 18.03.26 / Haarlem – Patronaat 19.03.26 / Tilburg – O13 Poppodium 20.03.26 / Paris – Le Trabendo 21.03.26 / Lille – The Black Lab 22.03.26 / Nantes – Le Ferrailleur 25.03.26 / Bordeaux – Le Rocher de Palmer 26.03.26 / Toulouse – Le Metronum 27.03.26 / Vitoria-Gasteiz – Helldorado 28.03.26 / Barcelona – Sala Bóveda 29.03.26 / Madrid – Nazca 31.03.26 / Montpellier – Antirouille 01.04.26 / Milano – Legend Club 02.04.26 / Aarau – KIFF 03.04.26 / Guebwiller – La Nef Des Dominicains 04.04.26 / Stuttgart – Im Wizemann 05.04.26 / Ljubljana – Orto Bar 07.04.26 / Bratislava – Randal Club 08.04.26 / Budapest – A38 Hajó
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 21st, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Yeah, okay, so I didn’t get to post last Friday’s Høstsabbat announcement. I don’t really have an excuse, I just didn’t see it until after I’d closed the week — which I definitely did early, because fuck it — and then it was Monday, Tuesday with the Quarterly Review still and then it was Wednesday and on Wednesday you might as well wait till Friday since you know another announcement’s coming anyway. If that seems like a long and arduous choice, the reality happened much faster. It was like 20 seconds on Friday of thinking about it and here we are.
That’s no slight against industrialized LLNN offshoot John Cxnnor — who have played Roadburn in between last week’s Høstsabbat announcement and the top portion of what’s below, which is from today — whose set I have zero doubt will blow my mind. Reminder too that LLNN will also be playing, so hey, while you’re in Oslo, might as well unleash another round of devastation.
And for a fun bit of other-side-of-the-spectrum-ness, today’s add is Villagers of Ioannina City, whose contemplative, Mediterranean folk-informed heavy rock I was fortunate enough to catch last year at Freak Valley Festival (review here). They might be the most ritualized rock act to take the Høstsabbat stage since Sunnata in 2019, but they’re less likely to wear robes and actually have a kind of poppish charisma and are more forward musically. But they’re cool either way, so bonus.
Høstsabbat posted the following:
VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY
The sun shines beautifully on this very Friday, and so does our next announcement.
In massive contrast to the industrial, hard-hitting heaviness of last week’s announcement, Danish duo John Cxnnor, who by the way crushed the main stage at Roadburn yesterday, today’s addition brings a different kind of depth and light to our anniversary lineup.
Villagers of Ioannina City has swept over the underground like a mild, mediterranean breeze.
The brilliant use of bagpipes, kaval and clarinets highlights their bombastic, yet meditative sound in a warm and folky manner, pawing way for heavy, psychedelic fuzz outbursts coming straight from the Greek mountains.
Their explosive live appearances at numerous festivals over the last years have had them on everyone’s lips, and it’s with massive pride we can announce their first ever visit to Norway.
Please welcome Villagers of Ioannina City to Høstsabbat 2023!
JOHN CXNNOR (DK)
Oh yes, for the first time in Høstsabbat history, we are welcoming a band strictly based on electronics. Please do not fear. Heaviness is what we´re all about, heaviness always wins, and todays announcement is no exception. The band of the day is an act we have been buzzing to announce, as they will showcase a brand new kind of heavy for all of you Sabbathians.
The praise in the wake of their appearances at Roskilde and Roadburn last year was just beyond, and breathtaking to witness, just as the shows themselves. All this leading to a return to the infamous Roadburn Festival next week, for another commissioned project. Go see them if you have the chance, you will not regret. Adding to their quality, JOHN CXNNOR is a loose cannon in the live environment. They always bring vocalists, but you never know who.
JOHN CXNNOR is made up of the Danish Sejersen brothers, also known for forming half of the brilliant sci-fi sludge pioneers in LLNN.
The level of detail and finesse in their industrial soundscaping is unreal in both their outfits, but in particular, those lower frequencies bursting out from the JOHN CXNNOR experience will cuttle your tummy to the extreme. JOHN CXNNOR will terminate the Crypt, mark our words.
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 20th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
The dates here matter. First, it should be noted that Villagers of Ioannina City released the live album, Through Space and Time (Alive in Athens 2020), on their own in 2021. Second, any live record recorded in 2020 should probably raise eyebrows just on its face, and sure enough, this show — which sure looks like a good time in the video below — took place on Feb. 15, less than two weeks before the country reported its first case of covid-19 and a month before the lockdowns started and live music went away like so much else. Obviously nobody in the general public knew at the time the course the plague would take, but it does make this something of a poignant moment in the life of the band — really for the concert-going experience as a whole, but definitely for these guys — and though it wasn’t that long ago, there’s even more of a nostalgic aspect here than usual for live records. I’d imagine if you were there you already own it.
Villagers of Ioannina City‘s Age of Aquarius turns four later this year, so if the band are thinking about a follow-up, that would make sense. Given the scope of that record, I’m sure there’s no small amount of consideration into how their next studio offering should and will sound. Until then, this from the PR wire:
VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY Announce New Live Album, ‘Through Space and Time (Alive in Athens 2020)’, Out March 3, 2023 via Napalm Records!
Official Live Video for Impressive First Single, “Father Sun”, Unveiled
Deeply influenced by Greek nature and cosmic phenomena, psychedelic stoner rockers VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY take you to new atmospheres with their first live album, ‘Through Space and Time (Alive in Athens 2020)’, to be released physically for the first time via Napalm Records on March 3, 2023.
The album’s first single, “Father Sun”, arrives alongside a live video which will take the listener into unexplored universes via the catchy rhythm of the hypnotizing bagpipe and entrancing guitar riffs, rising up to an enormous storm. The powerful, rough voices praising Mother Earth entangle with the instruments, producing a homogeneous atmosphere.
VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY gather their strengths from Greek nature and cosmic spirits, letting it flow right into their phenomenal psychedelic stoner rock. Delivering amazing performances, the band ascends forth to create their first live album, ‘Through Space and Time (Alive in Athens 2020)’.
With their short but very mesmerizing discography, the live show is centered around the band’s most recent studio album, ‘Age of Aquarius’ (2019), as they play the album in sequence and spice it up with songs from their debut album and singles.
Starting with the fascinating “Welcome”, “Age of Aquarius” and “Part V” all in sequence, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY represent their ability as great storytellers underlined by great visuals. The band then jumps straight into their debut album, ‘Riza’ (2014), playing “Nova”, “Perdikomata” and “Skaros”. Fans are blown away from the dedication of the clarinet, bagpipe, and guitar!
‘Through Space and Time (Alive in Athens 2020)’ presents the sextet’s attention to detail with great production, amazing musicianship, a bombastic live presence, and the yearning to play more amazing shows in the future. This won’t be the last time VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY will transcend fans into the heavens of Mount Olympus – this is only just the beginning!
‘Through Space and Time (Alive in Athens 2020)’ Track List: CD 1: 1. Welcome (live) 2. Age of Aquarius (live) 3. Part V (live) 4. Nova (live) 5. Perdikomata (live) 6. Skaros (live) 7. Dance of Night (live) 8. Zvara (live)
CD 2: 1. Arrival (live) 2. Father Sun (live) 3. Millennium Blues (live) 4. Ti Kako (live) 5. Audience I (live) 6. Cosmic Soul (live) 7. For the Innocent (live) 8. Audience II (live) 9. Karakolia (live)
‘Through Space and Time (Alive in Athens 2020)’ will be available in the following formats: => 6 Page Digisleeve 2 CD Edition => Digisleeve & Shirt => 3LP Gatefold Black => 3LP Gatefold Marbled Orange/Black => 3LP Gatefold Gold
Posted in Radio on November 11th, 2022 by JJ Koczan
Doing an all-Greek episode was so blindingly obvious that I actually had to check to make sure I hadn’t already done one somewhere in the last four years or so that I’ve been doing The Obelisk Show for Gimme Metal. Like, duh. And the playlist? One of the easiest times I’ve ever had putting one together. So many bands, so many vibes, so much to choose from.
Lotus Emperor’s new record, which was reviewed yesterday, was the impetus for the entire thing, so it seemed only fair to start with that, but I wanted to make sure to include a fair bit of landmark acts — 1000mods, Villagers of Ioannina City, Planet of Zeus, Naxatras, Nightstalker, Puta Volcano — alongside up and comers like Bus, Supermoon, Lotus Emperor, Acid Mammoth, Honeybadger, Half Gramme of Soma, and so on, in order to give some sense of the scope of the Greek underground, which for my money is one of the strongest in the world and an ecosystem of bands and fans unlike any other happening right now in Europe (if you want to expand to the rest of the world, Australia would rival).
Before I turn you over to the playlist, I’ll give the inevitable disclaimer that this represents but a fraction of Greece’s vibrant heavy creative community, and that there’s basically a planet’s worth of bands in Athens alone, never mind anywhere else in the country. I say in one or another of the breaks that I consider Greece at least as strong a scene as Sweden and Germany in terms of everything but broader recognition, and I stand by that. If you hear this show and want to dig further into any of these acts or find others, that’s the ideal.
Thanks if you listen and thanks for reading.
The Obelisk Show airs 5PM Eastern today on the Gimme app or at: http://gimmemetal.com.
Full playlist:
The Obelisk Show – 11.11.22 (VT = voice track)
Lotus Emperor
Petra
Syneidesis (2022)
Villagers of Ioannina City
Dance of Night
Age of Aquarius (2019)
Acid Mammoth
Black Dust
Caravan (2021)
VT
1000mods
Navy in Alice
Super Van Vacation (2011)
Half Gramme of Soma
Muck & Cheese
Slip Through the Cracks (2022)
People of the Black Circle
Alchemy of Sorrow
People of the Black Circle (2022)
Seer of the Void
Lysergus Mons
Revenant (2020)
The Same River
Weight of the World
Weight of the World (2022)
Church of the Sea
No One Deserves
Odalisque (2022)
Supermoon
Mantra
Supermoon (2020)
VT
Planet of Zeus
All These Happy People
Faith in Physics (2019)
Burn the Sun
A Fist for Crows
Le Roi Soleil (2022)
Naxatras
The Battle of Crystal Fields
IV (2022)
Honeybadger
Laura Palmer
Pleasure Delayer (2020)
Nightstalker
Sad Side of the City
Great Hallucinations (2019)
Bus
Moonchild
Never Decide (2020)
VT
Puta Volcano
Black Box
AMMA (2020)
Last Rizla
Dive
Mount Machine (2018)
The Obelisk Show on Gimme Metal airs every Friday 5PM Eastern, with replays Sunday at 7PM Eastern. Next new episode is Nov. 25 (subject to change). Thanks for listening if you do.
There is a wonderfulness to being in a place where you don’t speak the language. People around you conversing, sorting things out, all this and that, where stuff needs to go and so on. I’m sitting in a smoker’s tent off to the side of the grass in front of the stage, Purple Dawn or somebody doing a soundcheck. It’s probably techs for Baroness, now that I think of it. But around me, between the riffs, I can hear the conversations, laughter floating in the air, peole who haven’t seen each other in a year or two and a half years. It’s beautiful.
And the setting is beautiful. It really is a valley. The little industrial-ish-feeling area where the fest takes place is surrounded on all sides by wooded hills, some of the trees eaten by a bug that apparently likes that kind of tree — I heard about it on the way in — and the warm air, blue sky dotted with some passing clouds, and green vegetation add to the idyllic feel. I got to go back to my hotel a bit ago, find out I didn’t then did have a room — magic! — change my clothes, do a quick cold water hobo bath, eat a thankfully not melted protein bar and abandon my adiletten in favor of actual socks and shoes, such as those shoes are at this point.
Doors are open. People are taking their picture with the Welcome to Freak Valley sign — I hope to do the same; a ritual with preserving — and I think the first band is on at 5PM. That works for me. At some point I’m going to crash from the travel, adrenaline, etc., but maybe I can find some coffee around here and stave that off for a while.
Lo-Fi Merchandise is here selling stuff and I want to buy all of it just to save on shipping to the US. Ditto the hippie pants place next door. The actual band area isn’t up yet. I’ve been back and forth, in and out of shade, finding a spot to be, etc. Saw the Duel guys when I got here, and Geezer have shown up at this point as well. The lineup for today has changed with Witchcraft dropping off. K bye. Purple Dawn will open and everybody else is pushed later accordingly from where they were. I’m bummed I won’t see My Sleeping Karma like I thought I might when I got here, but I’ll be alright.
First band in about 40 minutes. I’m here. It’s real. I made it. And I have a place to crash when the night is over. Mark that a win.
Here’s notes on the day:
Purple Dawn
A significant rumble from Cologne’s Purple Dawn, who did precisely what you’re supposed to do when you’re opening a festival and you bust a bass head on the first song. They covered it with a jam. That is how to do it, and they were back up and running soon enough. Their stuff was pretty fresh in my head from writing about the Peace & Doom Session Vol. II (review here) and the highlight “Old Fashioned Black Madness” seemed to be the moment where the crowd woke up. The quiet start of “The Moon Song” after led to some post-High on Fire gallip mixed in with the nod that would seem to be the trio’s stock and trade. I got my photos and went out front to watch them on the grass. I’m also falling asleep sitting up. I need to find some coffee like now.
—
Duel
Duel play like headliners. They’re in their songs, moving, professional, playing dynamic, heavy material that has yet to really get its due. They’re a band win people over, though as they hit into “Children of the Fire” after “Strike and Disappear,” it seemed like the crowd was well enough familiar with their wares. Either way, they destroy. This is my first time seeing them with this drummer and even the Rockpalast film crew had their work cut out for them in keeping up. But the thing is, they’re not sloppy at all. Even the three-part-vocal hook of “Children of the Fire,” they absolutely nailed it every time and didn’t look back. I’m very, very curious to hear the kind of band they are like seven or eight years from now, what their next few records might bring. A 50-minute set gave them some time to dig into their songs and get a flow going, and fucking a, of course that’s what they did. This cements them as reliable in my mind. I also downed three cups of coffee between the bands and that helped too. Fears of the fucking dead. Children of the fucking fire.
—
Geezer
I’ve got sentimental attachment here, but so good to see this band own such a large stage in front of this crowd. The NY-based three-piece did well by their new album, Stoned Blues Machine (review here), with the title-track, “Cold Black Heart,” and if I’m not mistaken the rest of side A represented. They’ve been over here for a couple weeks at this point, this is near the end of their tour, and sure enough they sounded like a band who’ve been playing every night for the last 14 — whether or not they have is beside the point and you’ll pardon me if I spare myself looking up the amount of days off they have or haven’t had — but they’re an absolute joy and I know from looking around that I was by no means the only one with a big smile on my face as they hit it. The lawn was grooving on “Atomic Moronic.” Pat introduced a mini-set of songs from 2020’s Groovy (review here) — he also introduced Steve and Richie — then hit inti the title-track with a finger plucked solo. “Dig” followed and shifted into a finale of “Awake,” ending on a hopeful note every bit worthy of the occasion, and Geezer got the biggest response of the day so far.
—
Villagers of Ioannina City
A whole bunch of people just showed up and I can’t say I blame them. I’ve never seen Greece’s Villagers of Ioannina City, but many of Freak Valley denizens plainly have — they were here six years ago — but between the meditative heavy psych vibe and the folk touch brought by their use of tsabouna and what might just be a clarinet alongside keys and the weighted roll of their riffs. They’re pushing atmosphere to the forefront in a way that no one has yet — you could probably call it post-something-or-other if you worked hard at it — but then they break out a bluesy organ solo and you realize Age of Aquarius is a story they’re telling in chapters, and its complexity goes beyond trading between loud and quiet parts. Their songs and style are thoughtful, melodic, rich in tone and purposeful in their delivery. I don’t know how it would go over in the States — they’d have to be supporting someone on tour their first time out and a lot would depend on who — but there’s a full on audience engagement happening here, and they have the audience to show for it. And I suspect once they make up the two years of road time they lost supporting that album, that audience will only continue to grow.
—
Black Mountain
Vibe in a can. Or at least a deep-running blend of classic, psychedelic, progressive and space rocks. It’s all the same when Black Mountain take the stage. I’ll admit to being more than a little distracted during their set as one of my camera lenses broke, leaving me with the wide angle option that will probably do really well for me all day tomorrow taking pictures of the stage monitors, but one way or the other, Black Mountain’s synthy brew will lift the spirit and soothe the soul if apparently not the contact sensor on that lens. Even before I inevitably have to shell out some stupid amount of cash to have that fixed, I’m going to be bummed out if I can’t get that thing to work. Black Mountain’s mellower vibe, despite being heavy and loud and the many, many other things they are as a band, seemed to be expanding on the more immersive end of Villagers of Ioannina City’s set, but this band is their own thing. The assembled heads are ready for it. The Freaks. As for me, I’m distracted by even in such a tizzy I’ve still got room in my heart for Mellotron. Nothing else sounds like that. And I guess that’s true of Black Mountain too, but individual as they are, but their sound still has an immediate familiarity to it, whether you know the songs or they know you. Also it’s nighttime now. Apparently that happened recently.
—
Baroness
Seems to me that if I really was dead set on becoming a real Baroness fan, the thing to do would be to see them play live every couple of weeks between now and whenever I eventually get on board. They deliver live. The set was similar to when I saw them a few weeks ago at Desertfest New York (review here), but there wasn’t even a question as to whether or not they were going to nail it, because yes, they were. And so it went. It had been a long day, and it was only with the help of respected-photog Falk-Hagen Bernshausen that I managed to make that seemingly-busted lens work for long enough to shoot a couple songs of the Baroness set, but the band’s energy was infectious, their rhythm a physical urging, like they’re trying to tell you it’s time to go for a run, except I guess without the running on the audience’s part. I honestly don’t know Baroness’ songs well enough to say whether the performance was flawless, and if it was, I suppose that’s nice in the way of such things, but from my silly little spot in the grass I was just happy to appreciate the headliner headlining (again) and a performance by a band who have so clearly mastered their craft.
—
06.16.22 – Thursday – 10:56AM – Hotel
A little after I get back last night someone knocks on my door. I open it and a dude is there, absolutely smashed, wearing some death metal shirt. I don’t remember who it was now, but it was someone decent. He starts talking and even though I don’t speak German I could tell his words were slurred. I slowed him down, apologized for not speaking his beautiful language in his beautiful country, and eventually he seemed to recall that he spoke perfect English.
He needed stairs, which seemed like a terrible idea to me given his state. Dude could hardly stand. I showed him where the stairs were but then he said he wanted his room and kept walking. It was the one with the stuff on the floor outside in the hallway. Room 29. Fair enough. Turned out he’d lost his room key. He told me to find it. In his pockets. No dice, bro, sorry. He empties his own pockets and discovers various stuff but no key. He is grumbling, agitated. For one brief second, he looks like he’s about to give up. He’s speaking syllables, in and out of German and English — the human brain is amazing, even addled — and kind of says “bwuh?” and shrugs his shoulders.
I ask if he has back pockets, and a few seconds later, tucked into a respectable wad of Euros emerges his room key. His eyes light up. I open his door for him and usher him inside. His relief is palpable. I tell him to sleep and he nods. Freak Valley is small enough that I could probably run into Mr. Roomtwentynine 100 times today. I don’t think I’d recognize him if I did. Festival life.
Today’s episode of The Obelisk Show on Gimme Metal is a tribute to and a look at the lineup for this year’s Freak Valley Festival, taking place next week in Siegen, Germany. Freak Valley has been hosting bands for over a decade and I’m proud to say that this will be my first year attending after many, many more wanting to do so, doing writing for the festival, etc.
Should probably point out even if I d don’t necessarily need to that this isn’t the full lineup of the festival, just as much as I could effectively pack into two hours while also managing to play a 20-minute Endless Boogie track. Could I have hunted out shorter cuts and maybe been able to fit another band or two? Probably, but it doesn’t feel like The Obelisk Show in my brain if it doesn’t end with a jam, so it is what it needs to be.
I should be in the chat this time if you want to say hi. I was doing live factoids about the bands for a while because the Gimme Bot doesn’t always know this stuff if it’s new, or weird, or not at all metal, and so on, but it just kind of got sad after a while so I stopped. Lesson learned.
Thanks if you listen, thanks if you’re reading. Thanks in general.
The Obelisk Show airs 5PM Eastern today on the Gimme app or at: http://gimmemetal.com.
Full playlist:
The Obelisk Show – 06.10.22
Psychlona
Blast Off
Venus Skytrip
Fu Manchu
Strange Plan
Fu30 Pt. 2
Duel
Wave of Your Hand
In Carne Persona
Green Lung
Leaders of the Blind
Black Harvest
VT1
Red Fang
Wires
Murder the Mountains
The Midnight Ghost Train
Foxhole
Buffalo
Villagers of Ioannina City
Part V
Age of Aquarius
Pelican
Arteries of Blacktop
Nighttime Stories
Djiin
Warmth of Death
Meandering Soul
Toundra
Danubio
II
Geezer
Atomic Moronic
Stoned Blues Machine
Slomatics
Cosmic Guilt
Canyons
IAH
Naga
Omines
Kosmodome
Hypersonic
Kosmodome
Madmess
Rebirth
Rebirth
VT2
Endless Boogie
Jim Tully
Admonitions
The Obelisk Show on Gimme Metal airs every Friday 5PM Eastern, with replays Sunday at 7PM Eastern. Next new episode is June 25 (subject to change). Thanks for listening if you do.
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 21st, 2022 by JJ Koczan
I’ve decided to in the next couple weeks make it a point to revisit some of 2020’s many releases that, due largely to the chaos surrounding general existence at the time, I didn’t get to cover as much as I wanted. File Villagers of Ioannina City‘s Age of Aquarius in that category. Released first by the band in 2019 and then by Napalm Records in 2020, I’ve never really had that nagging feeling in my head stop about the need to give it a proper review, so now — or at least some time in the next couple weeks — seems to be as good a time as any for that and assorted others in that particular reach of my skull.
As regards Villagers of Ioannina City‘s upcoming tour, you’ll no doubt note both the quantity and the quality of the dates. A slew of festivals including Desertfest Berlin and a return to Freak Valley, Hellfest and a stretch alongside DVNE, when any single one of them would be enough to base a stint of gigs around. For a band who’ve been twiddling their collective thumbs not getting to support the best album of their career as they should, I’d be willing to speculate they’re relieved to finally announce these shows.
Sound of Liberation posted the following:
VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY – TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT
Friends, we’re extremely happy to share that Greek psychedelic-folk-rockers Villagers of Ioannina City will hit the road in less than a month.
And pay close attention, in some cities no other than Edinburgh’s hottest progressive rock/metal act DVNE will open the night for you.
Sound of Liberation proudly presents:
Villagers Of Ioannina City + special guests DVNE European Tour 2022
14.05.22 (GR) Thessaloniki, Principal Club Theater 20.05.22 (BG) Sofia, “Mixtape 5” 21.05.22 (HR) Zagreb, Vintage Industrial Bar 22.05.22 (AT) Salzburg, Rockhouse Salzburg 25.05.22 (DE) Wiesbaden, Schlachthof Wiesbaden 27.05.22 (DE) Berlin, Desertfest Berlin 28.05.22 (DE) Jena, KuBa Open Air* 29.05.22 (PL) Krakow, Klub Zaścianek* 30.05.22 (AT) Vienna, ARENA WIEN * 02.06.22 (DE) Bielefeld, Forum Bielefeld* 03.06.22 (DE) Rotterdam, Podium Grounds* 04.06.22 (DE) Gelsenkirchen, Rock Hard Festival 06.06.22 (NL) Amsterdam, Melkweg Amsterdam* 08.06.22 (DE) Hamburg, Knust Hamburg* 09.06.22 (DE) Dresden, Beatpol* 10.06.22 (DE) Munich, 17 years Sound of Liberation • Backstage Munich* 11.06.22 (DE) Kassel, Goldgrube Kassel* 13.06.22 (GR) Athens, AthensRocks 15.06.22 (DE) Nephten, FREAK VALLEY FESTIVAL 16.06.22 (DE) Zurich, Rote Fabrik 21.06.22 (FR) Paris, GLAZART 23.06.22 (UK) London, 229 25.06.22 (FR) Clisson, Hellfest Open Air Festival + more to be announced
*with DVNE
Better grab your tickets fast!
VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY are: Alex (guitar/vox) Akis (bass) Aris (drums) Kostantis (clarinet, winds) Kostas (bagpipe)
