Greek doom/darkwave trio Church of the Sea returns with their haunting new album, Eva, released via These Hands Melt. A bold conceptual work, Eva reimagines the biblical story of Eve—not as a symbol of sin, but as a figure of defiance and transformation. Challenging the traditional narrative, the album reframes Eve’s choice as an act of liberation rather than fall. In an exclusive interview, vocalist Irene delves into the inspirations behind Eva, the band’s evolving sound, and the power of reclaiming myth through music.
Welcome to Church of the Sea
Hi Irene, welcome to Femme Metal Webzine! How are you doing, and how’s life treating you these days?
Hi Miriam! Thank you so much for having me! Ιt’s a pleasure to be here!
I’m doing well, just in between rehearsals and getting ready for shows. In about two weeks, we’ve got our next live performance in Athens, and we’re more than excited about it! The energy is high, and we can’t wait to be on stage again.
Getting familiar with
For whom is not familiar with the Church of the Sea, would you like to spend a couple of words about your band?
We’re a doom/darkwave/shoegaze trio that started in 2017 in Athens. We love fuzzed-out sounds, heavy beats, and dreamy, chant-like vocals. Our music creates a vibe where the heaviness of doom meets the more atmospheric side of shoegaze, with a bit of noise-rock influence thrown in. We’ve just released our second album, Eva, and we’re beyond excited about it. It feels great to share it finally, and we can’t wait to see how people connect with it.
The general production of “Eva”
Your new album, “Eva,” has been released via These Hands Melt. What can you share about its general production?
The creation of “Eva” was a special experience for us. We had the opportunity to experiment further with our sound and introduce some new elements, such as a more traditional feel in certain parts of the album. At the same time, we decided to incorporate Greek lyrics into three of the tracks, which makes it even more unique for us, since we’ve always used English lyrics up until now.
This album reflects a lot of the emotional depth we’ve been feeling as a band, and it was important for us to make sure that energy translated into the recordings. We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out, and we’re really proud to have it out there for everyone to hear and connect with.
Eva, according to Church of the Sea
“Eva” features the reimagining of Eve’s biblical story, which challenges the traditional narrative and celebrates her defiance. How did you lyrically approach the topic?
The lyrical approach to “Eva” began with a need to reframe the traditional story of Eve, not as a figure of guilt, but as one of transformation. It’s fascinating to observe how Eve’s role is portrayed in the biblical narrative. She is often seen as the origin of sin, when, in reality, her choice to eat the fruit can also be interpreted as an act of curiosity, courage, and defiance against blind obedience. Some reading and research were involved, particularly through feminist and theological reinterpretations of the myth.
However, the focus gradually shifted toward how the story resonates on a more emotional, symbolic, and internal level — not simply as a religious tale, but as a metaphor for personal transformation and inner conflict.
So lyrically, Eva became less about retelling a religious story and more about giving voice to a figure who dares to choose knowledge, self-awareness, and transformation, no matter the cost. There’s something deeply human in that, and I think that’s what made writing these lyrics feel so personal.
The challenges of Church of the Sea on this album
In light of the topic, what were the main challenges the band faced this time?
The main challenges we faced were about pushing our creative boundaries while staying true to our core sound. We wanted to experiment with new elements, such as incorporating Greek lyrics into three tracks and exploring a more atmospheric, layered sound.
Balancing these new directions was a challenge. We also wanted the album to reflect our personal growth as a band, which meant being open to new ideas and taking some risks. It wasn’t always easy, but it made the process of creating Eva incredibly rewarding.
The singles
The single chosen from “Eva” was “The Siren’s Choice” and the self-titled track. What made these songs stand out to you, and what can you share about the story behind them?
Choosing “The Siren’s Choice” and the self-titled track from Eva as singles felt like a natural decision for us. Both songs represent different facets of the emotional journey we’ve explored on the album. “The Siren’s Choice” reflects that moment before making a life-altering decision, the stillness before diving into the unknown, a vast emptiness just before the plunge. It mirrors the feeling of free-falling from a great height, only to find release and redemption once we reach the depths of the sea.
On the other hand, the self-titled track from Eva captures the essence of transformation. It’s raw, powerful, and cathartic, symbolizing Eve’s internal journey as she grapples with choice, self-awareness, and defiance. Both songs share an underlying tension, one that combines vulnerability with strength, and together they represent pivotal moments within the album’s narrative.
We’re incredibly proud of how both songs turned out. They truly set the tone for the larger world of Eva, each adding a unique layer to the overall experience. We can’t wait for everyone to immerse themselves in it.
Church of the Sea raising the bar
Musically speaking, Church of the Sea has taken things to a higher level. How ambitious was this musical direction?
When we started working on this album, we knew we wanted to push ourselves further than before. We weren’t afraid to experiment with new textures, sounds, and structures, and we were willing to take risks in the name of creating something that felt fresh and exciting.
There was a strong desire to delve deeper into the atmospheric side of our music, adding more layers and dynamics that would give the songs greater emotional depth. We were all fully committed to making this album the best it could be, and that ambition was a driving force throughout the entire process.
The goal wasn’t just to evolve musically, but also to capture the intensity and emotion of the themes we were exploring. In the end, it was all about pushing boundaries — both creatively and personally.
Next plans
What’s next for Church of the Sea? Is there any news about a potential European tour?
We’re excited about what’s coming next. After the release of Eva, our main focus is to connect with as many people as possible through live shows. While we don’t have an official European tour lined up just yet, we’re always open to opportunities that will allow us to bring the Eva experience to a wider audience, both locally and internationally.