By: Staff
An Electrifying New Spin on a Beloved Classic!
Prepare to be captivated by an unforgettable reimagining of one of the most iconic tracks of the ’90s. This electrifying cover takes a cherished anthem and transforms it into something bold, raw, and breathtakingly intense. Featuring thunderous guitars, a hauntingly powerful vocal performance, and a deeply atmospheric twist, this rendition breathes new life into a song that defined a generation.
Behind this sonic masterpiece is a band that embodies mystery, edge, and unrelenting passion. With a sound that defies genres, blending rock, goth, and metal with intricate artistry, this group is carving a unique path in the music world.
But who are they? What inspired them to tackle such an ambitious cover, and how did they strike the perfect balance between honoring the original and making it their own?
We talked with the creative forces behind this explosive rendition to uncover the story behind their latest release, their artistic journey, and what’s next for their boundary-pushing sound.
Dive into our exclusive interview with Absinthe Green and discover the magic behind their electrifying cover of “Viva Forever.”
Begin Interview:
Hello Absinthe Green, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview! We’ve had a blast diving into your music and exploring your work, and now we’re even more excited to learn more about you, both as artists, and as people.
Please tell us the names and roles of each band member.
Absinthe Green: Thank you so much for having us! I’m excited to share more about the band and our journey. It’s been a wild ride so far, and we’re happy to bring you along for the next chapter.
I’m Eirini “Absinthe Green,” the singer, songwriter, and producer. Panos Economakis handles the guitar, Villy Piris is our bassist, and Harry Mason our drummer. The 5th, unseen member of the band is our sound engineer, Geegor, who makes sure we sound great at every show. Together, we form the powerhouse that is Absinthe Green.
What’s the story behind how you chose your band's name, Absinthe Green, and what do you want fans to derive from its meaning?
Absinthe Green: Ah, the name! It actually started as a character I created for an RPG years ago. I was obsessed with discovering different brands of Absinthe at the time. When I joined a band that used personas on stage, I thought the name “Absinthe Green” was a fitting choice—it captured the essence of both the personal and the artistic side of what I wanted to express. Absinthe is a drink that has a certain dark allure, like a forbidden escape, and I wanted the name to reflect that—mysterious, but with a touch of elegance. The ritual of drinking absinthe is truly beautiful, and in a way like music—it’s an experience to savor. The complexity and strength of the drink can only be truly appreciated by those with the acquired taste, much like how music speaks to those who truly listen. Both invite patience and allow you to immerse yourself in something beautiful and intense. Fans should feel the same—drawn in by the dark beauty, but also curious to dive deeper into what’s beneath the surface.
Can you describe the type of music that you play and the genres you represent?
Absinthe Green: This is a tricky question for me, because it’s like you’re asking what’s inside my mind, but to simplify, our music is ablend of metal, rock, and goth with a bit of pop influence sneaking in through the back door. We like to call it "alternative metal" with some hard rock flavor, but honestly, it’s always evolving. We don’t want to be boxed in, and our sound really reflects that. Sometimes it’s heavy and intense, other times it’s delicate and emotional. It’s about creating music that’s both raw and beautiful, with a bit of everything—just like life itself.
What was the impact the original version by the Spice Girls, “Viva Forever,” had on your life and musical journey that made you choose it?
Absinthe Green: This song takes me on a trip down memory lane. I have such vivid memories of being a kid, hanging out with my girl friends, and we’d spend hours choreographing, singing, and dancing to the Spice Girls. It was one of those songs that bonded us. It’s like all those cool, carefree moments from my youth got tangled up in the music. The song means something different to me now, but that memory of friendship and carefree fun still shines through every time I think of it.
You mention, “This song holds a special place in my heart, and reimagining it through the lens of rock and metal was both a challenge and a passion project.” What parts were most challenging, i.e., the creation of the musical arrangement or something else? How did you overcome these challenges?
Absinthe Green: The biggest challenge was definitely transforming the song while keeping the soul of it intact.In a way I had to figure out how to preserve that whimsical, playful Spice Girls vibe while pushing it into a much heavier, rock-oriented direction. The magic came when the band locked in—our chemistry was key. I don’t really care about replicating things, so I wantED to reshape it through my own lens, the Absinthe Green way. It was a fun challenge, and we all knew exactly how to approach it, almost instinctively.
We of course refreshed our memory of this iconic song and band with 77 million streams on this song alone. The beauty and quality of this song with its hints and nods to Madonna’s la Isla Bonita and the beautifully crafted spanish style guitars and the violins with the impeccably performed vocals this song goes beyond a standard “pop” band sound and exceeds expectations. It's really a tremendously beautiful song. Your version is equally impressive on a whole new level. The vocals are powerful and raw and propelled to the highest levels with blistering guitars and blasting drums and the bass is thunderingly deep. What was the first “rough live performance” like and was this the original intention when you first chose this song?
Wow, thank you for such a great description of the original track! Your analysis reassures me that it was a great cover choice! The first time we played it live, it was a mix of nostalgia and something new. Some people knew the song from the ’90s and loved the throwback, while others who didn’t recognize it really got into the dark, atmospheric vibe we gave it. When the chorus hit, you could see the crowd light up, phones in the air, everyone caught up in the energy. Even if some didn’t know the original, seeing them connect with our version felt like a huge win. That’s exactly what we hoped for, taking something familiar and making it our own.
Was there ever a thought to perform it more to its roots and ballad styling?
Absinthe Green: I’m all for keeping certain qualities of a ballad intact, but reinterpreting something to stay close to the original doesn’t feel right for us. If we were going to cover Viva Forever, it needed to be an Absinthe Green version, not a copycat of the original. That’s not where the creativity lies, for me. It would be like trying to recreate a painting exactly as it was instead of letting it inspire a new masterpiece. This feels super boring to me. So, I feel like we kept the ballad’s emotional core, but gave it our darker, rock-infused twist.
Have you ever played this song live?
Absinthe Green: Yes! We’ve had this one in our live set since we first started performing it about two years ago. It’s become a crowd favorite, and there’s something magical about watching people’s faces when they realize what song we’re playing and then hearing how it’s been transformed. It’s always an electrifying moment.
What are other songs you enjoy covering?
Absinthe Green: We’re not a band that wants to play a ton of covers, but when we do, we like to make it count. But it seems like we have developed a bit of a pattern—pop songs or ’90s classics, but with a darker twist. One of our favourites is Lady Gaga’s "Bloody Mary." We reimagined it as a gothic rock track, something I could totally see blasting in the goth clubs I used to haunt back in the early 2000s. The distortion, the bass line—it’s all a bit of a love letter to the Sisters of Mercy, who I absolutely adore. Another cover we’ve had a blast with is "Everything Is Coming Up Roses" by Black. It grew to have such personal connection to the whole band, it was the very first cover we ever recorded, at the legendary Sierra Studios, in Athens Greece, and we really enjoy playing it live. We recorded it a couple of years ago, but we’re letting it age like fine wine before we drop it on the world. Patience, you know?
We saw some of your guitar work and it’s fantastic. How long have you been playing and what other instruments do you enjoy playing?
Absinthe Green: I play guitar primarily so I can create the songs I want to make. I’ve been playing for as long as I can remember, but my musical journey started when I was 4 years old with piano and music education. I have a master's degree in guitar and songwriting from Berklee College of Music, but I don’t really consider myself a “guitarist".I see myself more as a songwriter and producer. Guitar is just one of the tools I use to bring my ideas to life. I write all the song parts myself for the demos, and then the rest of the guys add their own spin. Besides guitar, I also play bass, piano, and I’ve been playing the theremin for a while now. I love it.
What instruments do you not play, but wish you could master?
Absinthe Green: I work on musical projects across different genres, which call of a variety of sounds and instruments. There are many I’d love to learn if I had the time, but right now, the harp and church organ are top of my list. The sound of a church organ gives me goosebumps—it’s so powerful and hauntingly beautiful. The only problem is finding a place to practice here in Greece, since we don’t have many catholic churches and conservatories that have them ! But if I had the chance and time, I’d dive in without hesitation.
We checked out “Give the Devil His Due” and its feedback and roaring musical arrangement and your fire-breathing vocals got our adrenaline pumping. Can you tell us how you decided on this musical styling and approach and was this always your beginning? What did your musical roots start out as?
Absinthe Green: My musical background is as varied as they come. I grew up surrounded by classic rock—Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Cream, all of that. But I also come from a classical training background, I started playing piano at age 4. Vocals, though, are my true instrument, even though I somehow hesitated to admit that in the past.My vocals are central to how I write music, both in terms of composition and concept. The lyrical melody is always the driving force in my compositions, especially with Absinthe Green.
Which of your already released songs is the most important to you or had the most impact on the band's career, and why? What are some of the lyrics you could point a new fan to seeking you out?
Absinthe Green: I’d say “Dead Before My Eyes” really set the tone for who we are as a band. It was our first single, and the video was a milestone for us. It brought a lot of attention and opened doors. But “June 27” is very personal. It’s a reflection of my own struggles—both with myself and with the loss of a loved one. That song has been a catharsis for me, and the way people connect with it, especially the lyrics, has been incredibly moving.
There is a lot of technology available today. Some artists have described it as “overwhelming” or “too much.” The current climate of music is growing with computers being more prominently used for both creation and correction. Do you feel this has a positive or negative impact on the end result for music?
Absinthe Green: Technology has opened up so many doors for artists. I don’t think it’s inherently good or bad—it’s all about how you use it. It can be overwhelming, for sure, but it also allows us to experiment, refine, and push boundaries in ways that weren’t possible before. I love the control it gives, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the emotion you convey. If technology enhances that, then it’s a good thing. If it doesn’t, it’s a hindrance. When used to improve lives, make things more convenient, leave something meaningful behind, and ultimately to cure illnesses or create profound art, then it’s at its best.
Most people love or hate social media; where do you land?
Absinthe Green: It’s definitely a love/hate thing, isn’t it? But we can’t ignore it. It’s a necessary tool for getting the music out there, connecting with fans, and staying relevant. I try to be active—sometimes more, sometimes less—but I see it as a way to channel ideas, share news, and stay connected with the people who support us. It’s part of the gig, whether we like it or not. On a personal level, though, I really don’t enjoy having to jump through hoops and play these "metaphorical dances" across different platforms to capture people's attention, especially when they’ve got such short attention spans. It pulls me away from what really matters—creating great music and art and sharing it in a way that feels genuine. But, hey, it’s the modern game we have to play, right? Ha ha. (Those are some sad laughs).
What is the live music venue scene like where you currently reside?
Absinthe Green: Athens used to have more live musicvenues, but unfortunately, many didn’t survive the financial crisis or the impact of COVID later on. We still have some beloved staples that have withstood the test of time, though, and there’s a new wave of bands and venues emerging. So, despite the challenges, I’m feeling hopeful about the future of the rock and metal scene in Greece.
Tell us about the last time you performed. Where was the show, and what was your experience like?
Absinthe Green: We played a really special show last month in Athens. The crowd was incredible—it felt like we were all feeding off each other’s energy. There’s something so magical about performing in your hometown, where you can feel that connection to the people who have supported you from the beginning. The vibe was intense, and it was an unforgettable night.
Do you follow a process or ritual before a performance to manage nerves or performance anxiety?
Absinthe Green: I don’t have any specific rituals, because believe it or not,,I don t get nerves or anxiety. I feel like the stage is where I am supposed to be, that’s how I always felt. And that’s why I can imagine myself not performing. That said, I do take a quiet moment before going on to center myself—just breathe and focus on the music and the energy. Once we start playing, everything else fades away, and it’s all about the moment: the crowd, the music, the connection.
We went to your Instagram and we saw that you had an official music video out for “Spineless Creatures.” Without getting into a huge long review, we found this song to be a literal tsunami orchestra of heavy metal stylings and was like a freight train speeding down the tracks with no brakes. We want to mention that we particularly love the cadence and styling of your vocal delivery, especially right around the two-minute mark. This is a terrific video with movie-style production. Can you just tell us a little bit about this because it looks really exciting and if we’re not wrong, it looks like you’re overlooking the LA landscape?? Where was this recorded and what was the production like?
Absinthe Green: Thank you so much for the kind words! We worked with a fantastic cinematic team, Kalibu Productions, who helped bring the video to life. It was a full-scale production, with a talented crew of cameramen, gaffers, lighting techs, makeup artists, and even a special effects team. As for the filming locations, the indoor scenes were shot in a metal foundry here in Athens, Greece, which gave it that raw, industrial feel. The outdoor shots were filmed on a mountain overlooking the city—definitely not LA, though I can see why it might look that way! We were going for an American horror/zombie movie vibe, and I think the final product captures that eerie, cinematic energy we were aiming for.
So, what’s next? Can you share the full details on your future projects and what fans should be excited about? We’re hearing about more releases, and we’d love to be the first to announce it!
Absinthe Green: We’re beyond excited to finally release our debut album, Of Love and Pain, in 2025. It's been sitting on the shelf for a while, gathering dust, so it’s definitely time to let it out into the world—and in some exciting physical formats, too.
We’ve got some thrilling shows lined up, starting with a trip up north to Scandinavia, followed by more gigs, music videos, and a UK tour in the fall of 2025. And of course, between all the chaos, I’m hoping that we’ll find some spare time to plan recording for our next album. It’s going to be a busy, full year, and we can’t wait to share it all with you!
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! We can’t wait to see what’s next for Absinthe Green. Keep shaking things up!
Thank you for having us! It’s been a blast sharing a bit of our world with you. We’re just getting started, and there’s plenty more chaos, and definitely some Love and Pain coming your way.
See you out there!
Check out this latest release and listen to more on Spotify & YouTube
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