Venceremos heralds a majestic and pulverising return for the Villagers Of Ioannina City.

AMBITIOUS AND VICIOUS

Blame Slash. His philosophy for life – ‘always get a band’s live album first’ – proving a worthy mantra, worthy of its simplicity. The Villagers Of Ioannina City’s Through Space And Time from 2020, the gateway that sparked a thousand searches to discover more about the curiously titled (VIC) Greek outfit. And in the words of Howard Carter: “wonderful things.“

Their return via Napalm Records finds them with “their most ambitious and conceptually driven work to date.” Set in a dystopian future shaped by illusion, control and fear, Venceremos recounts 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. Common and popular themes where through struggles, hopes, fears and deep reflections on existence, one truth remains constant: the quest is one, and its name is freedom.

HEAVY, DIRECT AND INTENSE

Across the record, the band move seamlessly between meditative passages and explosive crescendos. Not quite a delicate balance between restraint and impact, the battle swayed by the might of the VIC force. The album presents itself as heavy, direct and intense, driven by a raw and immediate energy. It leans decisively into experimental heavy rock and metal, pushing into more aggressive territory while unfolding with a genuinely progressive spirit. Several tracks evolve from their Les Miserables narrative with a purpose and a depth which are genuinely inspiring.

Still, you’ll find the roots of traditional instrumentation such as bagpipes and zourna and matching Folk and Hellenic elements with powerful riffs. The first twenty minutes or so is tremendous; positively brimming with seductive and graceful power. Plus a certain element of scruff of the neck grabbing. The first peak(s) come in Home that proves to be an early – and ongoing – album highlight. All very Tool-esque in an arrangement that covers ten minutes of building from a hypnotic time signature, as the vibe intensifies and combines an impassioned vocal with an irresistibly mesmeric riff. A career highlight is no idle suggestion.

BOYS KEEP SWINGING

Ghosts In The Sky balances swinging Hard Rock with an uplifting friendly fire that’s right out of the Everygrey – Delain – Xandria book of blending heaviness with melody. The title track is equally rollicking as the bagpipe swirl sees the arrangement head into Maiden territory. Shades of The Clansman. Note Venceremos is a Spanish and Portuguese word that means ‘we will win’ or ‘we shall overcome’ while Wiki reminds us it too is a is a famous Chilean revolutionary song. The vibe is one of riding into battle, brimming with a confidence, much the same as these musical warriors.

Never far from a invigorating battle cry or thrilling charge, the moments of reflection are given short shrift. Eleven minutes of Here & Now allows for an atmospheric opening, typically brooding, that suddenly emerges into a Metallica-styled pounding riff and vocal. For a final chapter, Epitaph leads into Requiem, initially revisiting a funereal Celtic ambience , more tempered and restrained, majestic even…yet ever so briefly before a final full on assault kicks in. A galloping romp reeking with the smoke of some scorching soloing. A heavy Rock anthem, but more than just a heavy Rock anthem. If you get it, you get it.

In a nutshell – Venceremos sees the Villagers bestow more wonderful things.

Here’s Ghosts In The Sky:

Villagers Of Ioannina City: Website

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