Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about a new band led by Eirini Absinthe Green, making waves in the alternative metal scene. We’re talking about Absinthe Green, who already have their debut album, “Of Love and Pain”, ready to go. So, when we received the band’s invitation to listen to the record a few days before its official release, there was no way we could say no! With great excitement, we found ourselves at Underground Music Studios, where this listening session was about to take place. Here, you can read all about what happened that Sunday, September 7, 2025, as well as our very first impressions of Absinthe Green’s debut.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
The meeting was set for 7 p.m. at the well-known studio in Peristeri. We arrived on time to take our places in the area where the session would take place – most of the journalists from the local metal media were already there. While waiting for everything to begin, small groups had formed, and we had already started nibbling from the buffet in the studio’s lounge. As the rest of the writers arrived, we entered the specially arranged room where the session would be held, noticing that a screen was set up in front of the journalists’ seats. As Eirini explained to us, every track on the album comes with a video clip or corresponding audiovisual material. This meant that we wouldn’t just be listening to Absinthe Green’s new songs – we would also get to enjoy the visuals that the band had created. Once all the band members had arrived (with the exception of bassist Villy Pirris, who greeted us through a short video message he had sent) along with the sound engineer and “fifth” member of the group, Geegor, the session began. Before we listened to the Absinthe Green album, Eirini welcomed us, introduced the members of the group and Geegor, spoke about the band’s formation and journey so far, and gave us all the key details about the record. A few words were also shared by the band members who were present, as well as by Geegor. We were now fully ready for the listening session – below you’ll find some general information about the album, followed by our very first impressions from this premiere listen!
The debut album by Absinthe Green, which began as Eirini’s personal project in 2016 in Germany and became a full band in 2019 in Greece, is titled “Of Love and Pain” and will be released worldwide on September 19, 2025, via the Greek record label Sleaszy Rider. The album was produced by Eirini together with Hiili Hiilesmaa, the renowned Finnish producer known for his work with bands such as HIM, The 69 Eyes, Amorphis, Moonspell, Sentenced, and many others. One track also features a guest appearance by Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Therion, Dimmu Borgir, Dream Evil, Notre Dame, among others). “Of Love and Pain” — with all music and lyrics written by Eirini and cover artwork created by Jon Toussas (Graphic No Jutsu) — explores lyrically the duality and contradictions of human experience (joy–sorrow, creation–destruction, light–darkness, beauty–chaos).
The album kicks off with “June 27”, a purely alternative metal track with grunge and modern rock influences and catchy vocals. It features a strong melody, a beautiful guitar solo, and I was also struck by a groove metal section where, if I’m not mistaken, the vocals take on a rap-like style. Lyrically, it’s a love song, carrying the message: “never give up”!
The second track on the album is “Fiery Serpent” — it begins with acoustic guitars before building up in intensity, marked by a modern rock character. The vocals lean toward pop, while the guitar solo is clear and precise. It’s a song about self-destruction, and it even features a tambourine. I like it a lot!
And then we move on to “Dead Before My Eyes”, which is a powerful rock anthem — it all started from a simple bass line by Eirini! It kicks off heavy and metal, but the vocals are entirely modern rock. The refrain is perfect, featuring group/chant-style vocals at one point, and the solo has a dreamy, traveling feel. The production is outstanding! This is a track made for live shows.
Next comes “Bittersweet”, a really fun track that deals with the dark side of love and kicks in with a distinctive punk attitude. Even its refrain carries a melodic punk feel, the bass is strong, and I’d dare say this is like a punk hard rock version of… Avril Lavigne!
Next comes “Cat Song”, a 100% love song, staccato and intensely rhythmic, reminiscent of the modern metal played by well-known female-fronted metal bands. As catchy as the vocal melodies are and as powerful as its bridge is, I would say this particular track is the weakest on the album.
Next comes “Give the Devil His Due”, the track where Snowy Shaw takes on the role of the devil, delivering an imposing vocal bridge. It’s a fun, playful, and groovy song, also perfect for live shows, starting with a heavy blues guitar and leading into a heavy/stoner rock backbone with plenty of punk elements. It carries a classic rock groove, I really liked its refrain, and it even features some great double-bass drumming!
And then? “War Inside My Head”! It’s an awesome little hit that starts off heavy and bluesy, with a killer guitar (both in the intro and the solo), a super hooky refrain, a unique groove, and top-notch production! This particular song was actually written twenty years ago!
And after that? “Dysphoric Recall” (the opposite of euphoric recall, referring to the ruins of toxic relationships)! It kicks off with a strong bass intro, Eirini spits out the lyrics, the refrain is quite punky, and the bridge really sticks in your mind. I also liked the live feeling in the guitar.
A little before the end comes “Same Old Fire”. It’s a song that strongly recalls atmospheric metal bands like Sentenced and Amorphis – the Hiilesmaa influence is unmistakable. One of the best tracks on the album, it leans almost into gothic metal and features amazing guitar work. It’s a tribute to Warrel Dane, with whom Eirini had wished to perform a duet here…
“Spineless Creatures”, with its epic video clip (full of zombies, serving as a critique of modern society), has a strong groove and good vocal melodies. Its bridge adds points to the song, though its somewhat indifferent refrain does not.
And the curtain falls with “Death By A Thousand Cuts”, a horror acoustic “ballad” of short duration, which closes the album with a sickly vibe. As for its video clip? You tell me better, once it’s out in public!
“Of Love and Pain” is an incredibly good alternative metal album, where you’ll enjoy plenty of other elements too – grunge, punk, pop, all of them are here and leave their mark. I absolutely have to highlight the amazing, passionate performance of the musicians, especially Eirini, who delivers a personal tour de force, as well as the album’s fantastic production! We’re talking about a record of tremendous quality, where melodies, rhythms, energy, and emotions create an extreme whirlwind. The Greek scene at its finest!
After listening to the album, a few questions were asked to the band – and right after that, most of us headed straight to the buffet! That’s how the time passed, and with the songs from Absinthe Green’s debut still in our minds, we left the studio. I think the “Of Love and Pain” album and its alt-metal sound will appeal to the audience! But more about the record soon, once we’ve listened to it again many times at our own pace!
Before I wrap up, I’d like to congratulate the band and thank Harmonia PR for the hospitality! Here’s to more like this!
