Aris Giannopoulos Born in 1986 in Ioannina, Greece, Aris Giannopoulos shaped his musical identity through a deeply experiential and instinctive relationship with sound from an early age. As a self-taught drummer, he focuses on the essence of groove, intensity, and dynamic interaction between the members of a musical ensemble.
Traditional rhythms of Epirus
His playing style is a fusion of influences ranging from heavy and progressive rock to psychedelic forms and the traditional rhythms of Epirus. By combining solid, repetitive patterns with explosive outbursts, he develops unique rhythmic motifs that transcend a purely accompanying role, functioning instead as a structural and narrative element within the composition.
Aris Giannopoulos & VIC
As a core member of Villagers of Ioannina City since 2007, he has actively contributed to the band’s discography and has toured extensively across Greece and Europe. He has also performed at some of Europe’s major venues and music festivals, including Hellfest and Graspop Metal Meeting among others.
Greek heavy psychedelic rock band
Villagers of Ioannina City (VIC) is a Greek heavy psychedelic rock band formed in 2007 in Ioannina, the capital of the Epirus region in northwestern Greece. The band blends post-rock, stoner rock, and psychedelic rock elements with traditional Greek folk instruments, including bagpipes, clarinets, kavals (flutes), and occasionally didgeridoos, creating a distinctive sound deeply inspired by the rugged mountains, clear rivers, and cosmic phenomena of their Epirote homeland. Since their debut album Riza in 2014, VIC has emerged as one of Greece’s leading heavy rock acts, performing at major European festivals and selling out shows while exploring themes of nature, folklore, and existential introspection.
Villagers of Ioannina City (VIC) was formed in 2007 in Ioannina, Greece, by a group of friends including core members Alex Karametis on guitar and vocals and Akis Zois on bass. The band drew initial inspiration from the rich folk traditions of the Epirus region, particularly its polyphonic vocal styles and traditional instruments, which they sought to fuse with elements of psychedelic and post-rock. This regional influence stemmed from the mountainous landscape and cultural heritage of Ioannina, where the members grew up, blending local melodies with heavier rock structures to create a distinctive sound.
Greek folk instruments
In their early years, the band experimented with incorporating Greek folk instruments such as the clarinet and kaval into rock arrangements, often during informal local gigs and self-recorded demos. The initial lineup featured Aris Giannopoulos on drums and Giannis Haldoupis on clarinet, kaval and backing vocals, though the group faced lineup instability as members came and went, stabilizing with this core around 2010. These experiments highlighted raw rock influences, emphasizing atmospheric builds and improvisational elements drawn from both Epirus folk polyphony and psychedelic rock