Interview: Giannis "J.V." Vrazos (PLANET OF ZEUS)

Hello J, thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview with me. Greetings from rainy Sofia—it’s been raining here all day and it looks like it will continue for the next few days. How are the preparations for your upcoming shows going? You’ll be hitting the road again in about a month, right?

I think it’s almost a month until the beginning of the tour, which will start in Sofia, Bulgaria. To be honest, the preparations are a bit slow at the moment because we’re dealing with other things right now. For example, today we’re releasing a new video on YouTube that was recorded during our 25-year anniversary show in Athens, which took place last September. It was a very big and very emotional show for us.

Today we’re releasing the video along with two songs from that performance on Spotify and all the streaming platforms. So I guess the actual preparations for the tour will start about two weeks before it begins. But we feel ready. We’ve been playing together for many years, so when it comes to performing, it’s always there.

You’ve already done a tour promoting the album, so I guess you’re pretty much ready for what’s coming. It’s nothing new for you.

Yeah, it is pretty much the same. Yeah

If I’ve counted correctly, this will be your eighth time visiting Bulgaria, if I’m not mistaken.

I’m not exactly sure how many times we’ve visited Bulgaria, but I’m pretty sure it’s been more than five or six times. So we’re really glad to be coming back again. We know the audience there is very welcoming and very energetic.

The last time we were there was, I think, almost three years ago, around the beginning of June 2023, and it was great. We also love the venue—Mixtape 5. It’s always cool to play there. So we’re really, really looking forward to coming back.

Excellent. People here will be expecting to hear songs from the new album “Afterlife” album because it was released in the end of 2024.  Why Afterlife? Is it about rebirth, consequence, reflection — or something more personal?

Everyone can take it on a more personal level. In the end, the title doesn’t matter as much. What really matters is how you feel when you listen to the album.

As far as the concept goes, the album was created during the pandemic, during the coronavirus period. That was a really dark time—not only for us as people and as musicians, but for the whole planet. In many ways, that situation changed the course of our lives.

So in a broader sense, I think Afterlife actually refers to the life that comes after everything that happened during that period.

Nothing is the same anymore. Since then…

Yes, exactly—that’s why it affected us on such a big scale. When the pandemic happened, I think this was the case for almost all musicians and bands. Nobody knew if they would be able to continue doing what they loved—playing music, touring, performing live.

Everything was very uncertain. There was a lot of insecurity during that time, and it affected us as well. We didn’t know if the band would continue. It was a really dark period for us.

Yes it was for everybody. What we all can see is that there's intentionally change in the sound of the album, the production, it's tuned down a bit, just the entire structure is totally different than what you actually did so far. Was this intentionally or it came naturally?

I think every time we compose music it’s not something intentional. It’s a multi-factor process. All of us listen to a lot of music, and the members of the band come from different musical backgrounds and genres, so everything flows naturally.

I do understand your point that it sounds different, because Planet of Zeus has always been a band that relied heavily on riffs. Our music used to be very riff-driven. But that changed quite a lot on the Afterlife album.

This time we focused more on vocal melodies and drum structures. Those became the main elements we built the songs around.

I see. Can we say that this album marks kind of a new beginning for Planet of Zeus that you guys will approach music differently from now on?

To be honest, I think that from the very first album—and especially after it—every record has had different elements. From the beginning, I see it as a progression, an evolution of our music. We don’t like to do exactly the same thing every time.

Of course, I respect bands that do that. For example, AC/DC have been playing pure rock and roll from the beginning until now, and that works perfectly for them. But there are also many bands—big bands, mid-level bands, whatever—that try to introduce new elements into their music.

For me, music is all about freedom. You should be able to do whatever you want. That’s how we approach it as well—we feel free to explore different directions.

Of course, we’re not going to start playing electronic or techno music—that’s probably not going to happen. But the spectrum of rock music is huge. You can move in different directions, blend different influences within the same album, and experiment. That’s the whole spirit of playing music—being free and doing what feels right for you.

I understand. And we spoke about the evolution of the band. But everything starts with the influence, and with every band comes the realization that they won't be that band from their influences. And it's time to you know, accept and, evolve in their own style. When was that for you? When you realized that you won't be your influences, or are you still following them, and how they changed through the years?

I think music lives in our minds, hearts, and souls from the very first moment we start listening to it. For example, the first time I heard Black Sabbath, I was really excited because it was something I had never heard before. But now, after playing music for so many years, I can understand much better what they were doing and why.

The same goes for many of the classic bands—Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden. Back then it was mostly pure enthusiasm for that kind of music. Now I can appreciate it on a deeper level.

Over the last ten years, Planet of Zeus has tried to blend all of its influences together. And that list of influences is huge, because we are four different people coming from four different musical backgrounds. Somehow we meet somewhere in the middle.

I think the band has succeeded in developing its own sound. I’m not saying we’re playing something that has never been heard before, but the way we present it to the audience is ours. It’s our sound. Someone might hear a riff and say, “That sounds like a Planet of Zeus riff.”

I think that happens with many bands after years of playing together, especially when everyone in the band contributes to the songwriting. In Planet of Zeus it’s not a one-man show where one person writes everything and the rest just follow. We all write music, we all write lyrics, and everyone puts their heart and soul into the whole process of composing.

You mentioned Black Sabbath and Maiden you know, in the 80s,  and in the 70s, and how those guys approach the music. And you say that now you can understand better how they did it. Let me take you back to the 2000s when you guys started as a band in Athens, and let's face it, times, back then were different, like in the 70s, 80s and 90s every decade has its own vibe and everything. You guys paved the way for your music with a lot of work, blood and sweat. You played everywhere that can have you to be honest, even in small house parties. Do you think this is the actual formula for success, to be consistent and not to give up, to believe in your music and your what you're doing.

You said the magic word—consistency. That’s the key word for a band that wants to grow and evolve.

When we talk about rock music, its natural destiny is to be played live everywhere—from small clubs to big arenas. That’s where the real spirit of rock and roll lives. The band gives energy to the crowd, the crowd gives energy back to the band, and somehow the magic happens.

But consistency is essential. Playing a lot of shows gives you the appetite to keep composing new music, releasing new albums, going on tour again, and repeating the whole cycle. And before you know it, you’ve been in a band for 25 years.

So yes—consistency is the key word for everything.

And not compromising probably?

And not compromising, of course. Because let's be honest, we are in an independent band. You know, we release our own music.

If you were a part of a label, maybe the label would give you pressure or try to change your style in a bit.

Yes, I think this usually happens with very big labels, when a lot of managers get involved in the music and start telling you things like, “You have to play this style because it’s fashionable right now,” or “You should change your sound,” and so on.

As I said before, music is all about being free—to do whatever you want. In our everyday lives, we’re not really free. You have to go to work, follow orders, pay your bills, pay your rent, and deal with all those responsibilities.

So playing music should be the opposite of that. It should be about freedom—about expressing yourself in any way you want, without compromise and without being restricted.

You actually lead perfectly into my next question. From small, sweaty clubs and even house parties to the biggest festival stages around the world—what kind of audience do you prefer, and which setting do you think fits the music of Planet of Zeus better?

I believe that every kind of music sounds better when the PA system is bigger. The bigger the PA, the bigger the impact. But I’m not sure I can really choose between those options.

We love playing in big venues, like the big clubs we play in Athens, or like when we toured with Kvelertak. Those are big rooms with around 2,000 people, large stages, and powerful sound systems. It gives you the chance to present your music to a much bigger audience and reach new fans.

But we also love playing in small clubs, because that’s where every band starts. All bands play their first shows in small venues, and those experiences stay with you. In a way, it’s more romantic playing in a club.

Take Mixtape 5 for example—we really love that venue. It’s intense, the fans are very close to you, you can see their faces and feel their energy. You can tell they’re having a great time, and that brings a lot of happiness.

After 20+ years of touring, what still excites you about getting on the road — and what’s become harder?

I think that as the years go by, it actually becomes easier, because we already know the drill. We know what we have to do—not only when it comes to playing a show or traveling, but also things like where we’re going to stay, how we’re going to eat, and when we’re going to get some rest. We’ve done it for so many years that it all feels very natural now.

And to be honest, as we grow older as people, we really start looking forward to going on tour. In a way, it’s our escape from everyday life. We all live here in Athens, some of us have families, and going on tour feels like taking some time off and having fun.

Playing music is all about having fun. That’s the main reason we tour. Of course there are financial aspects as well, but at the end of the day it’s really about enjoying what we do. We’ve been good friends for many years, so we always look forward to spending that time together on the road.

Your live shows are very intense and physical, but of course that also depends on the audience—it’s always a mutual exchange of energy between the band and the crowd. And audiences in different countries react differently to your music.

Which crowd has been the wildest, and which one the weirdest?

That’s a good question. I think the audiences across the Balkans are actually very similar to the Greek audience. Greek crowds are famous for being very enthusiastic and energetic, and you find that same spirit throughout the Balkans.

I think it’s partly because of where we all come from. People in the Balkans have many things in common—they’re loud, passionate, and they really love to have fun.

 The weirdest audience I remember was at a show in Switzerland many years ago. The reaction was really intense, but in a strange way. It almost felt like the crowd thought they were at a completely different kind of concert. We were playing rock music, yet people were reacting like they were at an electronic music event. It was really unusual. My guess is that a lot of them were on some pretty heavy drugs, so they were just responding to whatever they were feeling. That’s fine with me, of course—but standing there on stage and witnessing the whole scene was definitely a strange experience.

I see, any other, any countries that you still haven't been but you really wish to see how the audience will react on your on your music.

As far as Europe is concerned, I think we’ve played almost everywhere. What we’re really curious about now is how audiences will react in places we haven’t been yet—like Japan or the United States. We’ve never played there, so we honestly don’t know what to expect. It’s always interesting to see how different crowds respond to our music. But until we actually go there and experience it ourselves, it’s hard to say.

What still scares you creatively or as a musician?

The only thing that really scares me is not having enough time—not just individually, but as musicians and as human beings—to create music. As I said before, I have a family, and our guitar players have families too. Our days are very busy. We’re not just members of a rock and roll band; we also have other jobs to make a living. So the thing that worries me the most is the lack of time—the time needed to create, to play, and to tour.

You’ve kept a strong core lineup for years. What’s the secret to surviving more than two decades as a band without burning out? What is the biggest internal conflict you’ve overcome?

Being in a band with the same people for 25 years is like being part of a family. In a family you have your parents, your brothers, your sisters—so it’s not always easy. There are ups and downs all the time. Sometimes we argue, sometimes we don’t talk to each other for a while, but at the end of the day we share something bigger than all of us, and that’s Planet of Zeus. We have to stay united under that, because it’s something very unique, important, and sacred to us.

The world we live in has changed a lot since you first started as a band. Even after the pandemic, things don’t feel the same anymore. Now we have AI-generated images, texts, videos, and even songs. The music industry has changed significantly, and that also affects how audiences react to music. Do you think it’s harder for young bands to break through today than it was 20 years ago? And how have these changes affected you as a band?

I believe that 25 years ago there simply weren’t as many bands as there are today. Nowadays it feels like you can lift a rock from the ground and there will be a band underneath it. There are just so many bands out there.

But if a band wants to stand out, to really achieve something with their music and become known or even famous, the rules are still the same as before. You have to work hard, write good songs, and be a strong band on stage. You need to play tight shows and be good musicians. That part hasn’t changed at all.

As for the new trends, like AI composing songs, I think that’s really sad and also dangerous. These days it’s becoming harder to tell what’s real and what isn’t. In a way, it feels quite dystopian.

But at the end of the day, I still believe in people. I believe in human beings and their ability to recognize authenticity. People are clever enough to figure out what is real and what isn’t, and to know when something is truly good.

That’s well said. Do you think musicians have a responsibility to comment on social or political issues? Because nowadays we sometimes see the opposite—bands trying to stay away from politics and distance themselves from those topics.

I can’t speak for other bands, but I can speak for myself and for Planet of Zeus. We’ve commented many times on things that are happening, especially here in Greece, because this is where we live. Of course, we could also talk about what’s happening in other parts of the world—like in the United States, for example, with Trump being super crazy and doing super crazy stuff. But we live in Greece, so many times in the past—and probably in the future as well—we’ve commented on things that are happening here.

We feel a responsibility to do that. After all, we’re not just a band—we’re human beings too. We want to express our opinions about what’s happening around us, and we want to take a stand when we feel it’s necessary.

At the same time, we don’t think it should happen all the time, because if you constantly talk about politics, you might end up distracting people from the music itself and…..

Before you know it, you become Roger Waters?

(Laughs) Roger Waters is already a legend. He comes from one of the greatest bands of all time, Pink Floyd, and at this point he’s probably done with composing new music. Because of that status, he has the time and the space to comment on what’s happening around the world whenever he wants. We’re not in that position. At the end of the day, if we start talking about what’s happening in America, nobody would probably give a fuck about what we’re saying.

I still believe people will listen to what you have to say. It’s always good to have feedback and a real conversation. I think many of the problems in the world today come from the fact that people simply don’t talk to each other anymore. And while we’re on the topic of communication, what do you think the Planet of Zeus from 2005 would think if they could see Planet of Zeus in 2026?

In what aspect do you mean?

I don’t know—maybe if the younger Planet of Zeus heard your latest album, what do you think they would say about the music you’re making today? What was your mindset back then compared to the mindset you have now?

The mindset back then is easy to understand, because it was the mindset of someone in their twenties. When you’re that young, you don’t really care about many things and you don’t have so many responsibilities. You’re more carefree, and that attitude was also reflected in the music on the band’s first albums. Personally, I don’t really listen to Planet of Zeus when I’m alone at home—it feels a bit weird. But when it happens accidentally, it always feels like a kind of personal time travel. I listen and think, “Okay, what were we doing back then?” Some of the things we did were really interesting and unique. Sometimes I even wonder why we stopped doing certain things or why we changed. It becomes this process of comparing the past with the present. But that’s normal—people grow up. We change, and naturally our mindset today is different from the one we had back then.

If you had the chance to meet yourselves 20 years ago, what three words would you say to your younger selves and the rest of the band?

Hmm, that’s a good question! I’m actually smiling right now. I’m not really a person who has regrets, so if I had the chance to drive a DeLorean like in Back to the Future and go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing. I would probably just say, “Keep doing this,” or “Don’t change anything.” But of course, things will still change in the future, because that’s just how life works. People change.

I think that’s a great way to end the interview, especially since we’re also running out of time. Before we wrap up, would you like to leave a message for our readers—or for those who are still wondering whether they should come and see Planet of Zeus on March 12th?

We’re honestly really looking forward to coming back to Sofia. We know we have energetic and enthusiastic fans there, and we always have a great time when we play in the city. I’m sure this time will be no different. We’re preparing a super heavy setlist with both new songs and older ones, blending everything together. It’s going to be a really great time.

Thank you J for this interview, let’s have a drink in Sofia?

Sure, Nicko thank you for the conversation!

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Author: Nikola Petras
Pictures: Planet Of Zeus Facebook Page
February 2026