Part of the Theory’s “Famished Mammon” – Single Review

You never know where or when powerful new music will hit yah…but it is always fantastic!

And when innovative, and maximum overdrive music hits you when you are not expecting…it can strike like lightning! That is what happened with Part of the Theory’s new single, “Famished Mammon”, for me.

I don’t remember what I was doing, when I first heard Part of the Theory’s masterclass single, “Famished Mammon”, but I must have been on break at work; because it was Friday, June 13th, to be exact; at 2:30 in the afternoon. I immediately posted to Facebook, “Holy smokes…stop the presses! They just turned Madona’s “Material Girl”, on its head! With the equivalent power of Led Zeppelin with a backing orchestra…complete with regal trumpets…supporting…”

Yeah, some music writes its own review. This song is absolutely amazing and I am going to discuss why in the rest of this review. But first, who is Part of the Theory, and what is still to come from this band after this brilliant single.

Let’s start by saying the band is from Athens, Greece, and they have four very talented members: Alexis Dimouleas, is the lead guitarist and orchestral composer; Vicky Kapetanopoulou, is the lead singer; Giorgos Spiliopoulos, is the band’s drummer; and Stefanos Theodorakopoulos, is the band’s bassist. An integral team that works together, as the Talking Heads once sang, “like a house on fire”.

Their press release says, “Famished Mammon” captures the dark side of the Balkans. Beyond the trumpets, the dancing, and the sun — elements carefully woven into the soundscape — lies, violence, oppression, and a constant struggle with authority. Acts justified in the name of materialism slowly erode us, until the victims themselves become the perpetrators. Through the use of progressive structures, metal tones, ethnic and orchestral instruments, Part of the Theory narrate the adult world as they experience it, drawing inspiration from the places where they grew up”.

Part of the Theory have been active in the Athens’ underground music scene, and have built a reputation for their dynamic live performances and innovative compositions. They garnered major attention when they played the ”Schoolwave Festival”, Greece’s most renowned youth music festival, with consecutive guest appearances in 2022 and 2023.

They have also composed original material for the popular Netflix series “Maestro in Blue” by Christoforos Papakaliatis. This collaboration culminated in a live performance featured in one of the episodes of the show’s second season (2024); further establishing their presence within the cinematic music sphere. In the same year, the band made their second television appearance on the show Mousiko Kouti, hosted by Nikos Portokaloglou, where they introduced their work to a broader audience.

2025, is the year they want to break it big! The first live presentation of “Famished Mammon” took place at the Piraeus Club Academy, where Part of the Theory opened for Playgrounded back on May 9th, 2025.

The band describes the music video for “Famished Mammon”, as, “the song is accompanied by an official music video, where, through a surreal lens and the intense use of symbolism, the narrative unfolds in a non-linear and non-literal way, inviting the viewer into an open-ended experience of interpretation”. They also have created an acoustic and extended acoustic version of the single and have released a supporting video for the same.

So how would you describe the experience of “Famished Mammon”? After a slow flamenco-like guitar opening, the trumpets, bass, drums and full lead electric guitars burst through the door of the soundscape and you are surrounded by some of the most spectacular sounds you have heard all year. This has to be both a show opener and album opener. The album information was not available at press time, but Part of the Theory promise it is under production.

Then, it is the voice of Part of the Theory, Vicky Kapetanopoulou, the lead singer, who is here to blow your mind. She looks a little like a young Madonna and moves as easily on stage and through the videos as the legend of the 1980s. She sings, “Eat my money. In a bowl with my cereal. Spit it out. To justify my hunger. Watch your stuff. In front of a material girl. If I spot it then I’ll take it and make it mine. You don’t want to point that fork at me. I can take you. And honey yes, I will. Come and try me. Life costs less than things. I have no ethics when it comes to it. Ha, ha, ha, ha,”. Yes, a true and at times, vicious diatribe description of the state of the world, especially here in the USA, where we elected the billionaire class to take everything they want from our country’s massive treasure. This is a powerful statement of how mankind is devolving into chaos violence, greed and lust for possessions. The guitar playing throughout this masterpiece sets this band far ahead of many of the band’s I’ve heard this year. I still need to hear the entire album, but this band is off to a great start towards my album award’s show at the end of the year.

This is the kind of music I have been searching for, it seems forever. Flamenco music, matched with those magnificent strings, trumpets, thumping bass, and electric guitar soloing, within a soundscape of expertly recorded and mixed sound. The topping on the cake is Vicky Kapetanopoulou. They needed someone energetic and unafraid of telling you exactly how she feels, without flinching. And it is so magical to see a progressive rock band embrace world music, instead of playing another re-worked Genesis, ELP, or Yes song. (And those are three of my favorite prog bands). But I have their catalogs and can go back to them anytime I want.

What I and I think the rest of the world wants is something different. A Greek band playing progressive metal music with trumpets, Greek guitars, some flamenco rhythms and sounds, is simply magic to the ears.

The two acoustic versions of “Famished Mammon”, are wonderful and full of more of that flamenco flair. The video for the acoustic version, shows the band almost tied together, in inseparable motion, to create a classic. I am so glad they released this video and the acoustic versions of the songs.

The band’s full throttle 7 minute and 43 second video for the full single is a rope climb to safety and predominance, and is worthy of your attention.

On May 2, 2025, Part of the Theory laid down the template and the gauntlet for all new metal music from here on. For me, and I hope for Part of the Theory, it is a challenge, as Vicky Kapetanopoulou sings, “If you got that something, guess I’m gonna take it. If I have to fight you, yes I’m gonna do that. Am I gonna do that guess I’ll have to do that. Am I gonna do that ? Yes I’m gonna do that. I’ll fight whoever to take what I need!”

Metal fans,, this is what you have been looking and waiting for; but the wait is now over! Get out and listen to and buy Part of the Theory’s, “Famished Mammon”, and follow the lead to where I hope metal progressive music is heading. This is everything you have been waiting and wanting to hear!

I look forward to interviewing the band soon and will hopefully have more to say about the upcoming album and the work that went into creating the music and the music videos. Stay tuned, it’s coming.

Written and produced by Part of The Theory. Recorded at Unreal Studio. Mixed by Alexis Dimouleas. Mastered by Forrester Savell. Cover art created by Thomas Doukinitsas. Backing Vocals: Rosadenia and Penny Sakellarioy.