Six months after “Ham of the Crowd”, Alcestice is back with the 13 October release of their cover of the Nirvana classic “Heart-Shaped Box” through Polyphoniki Records. Kurt Cobain being a big influence on frontwoman Alkistis Ioannidou and the band having already performed the song live in May, its studio version was the next logical step.
Produced, engineered and mixed by Petros Petropoulos, their take on the iconic song succeeds in being quite faithful to the original in terms of production and style while at the same time veering slightly towards a more modern, heavier sound. From vulnerable and introspective to massive-sounding and fierce, their version capably nails the different sides of the composition while possessing a more austere vocal arrangement and of course boasting a powerful, expressive performance by Alkistis front and centre.
The song is accompanied by a black-and-white music video consisting of footage of the band in the studio, shot by Petros Petropoulos and edited by Petros Tserpelis.
Listen to the song here: https://ditto.fm/heart_shaped_box
Line-up
Alkistis Ioannidou – vocals
Criss Razis – guitar
Petros Tserpelis – bass
George Kalaitzoglou – drums
Petros Petropoulos – production, engineering and mixing at Polyphoniki Studio
Cover art credits
Photo by Stratos Giannatsis
Graphic design by Alkistis Ioannidou
Bio
Alcestice is a new, up-and-coming rock group from Athens, Greece. They have released one full-length album (“Watch Me”, Polyphoniki Records, 2024) consisting of nine songs and accompanied by three music videos, as well as the singles and music videos “Ham of the Crowd” and “Heart-Shaped Box” in 2026.
Influences from the spectrum of rock, heavy rock, alternative metal, grunge and punk are filtered through the personal lens of the compositions, lyrics and recognizable vocals of Alkistis Ioannidou in a sonic result that has its own idiosyncratic personality, characterized by authenticity, theatricality and unexpected shifts, from pop melodies to heavy outbursts, within a dynamic rock context.
Having already appeared live at various Athenian venues as well as a student protest festival, they have proven that they constitute a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary scene: delivering an energetic stage presence and passionate performances, they bring their material to life in electrified renditions that are guaranteed to rouse every attendee.
Connect with Alcestice
Website: https://alcestice.com
Bandcamp: https://alcestice.bandcamp.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlcesticeMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alcestice.music
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcesticemusic/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alcestice
