In many ways, Heavy Metal and Rock-n-Roll music naturally has always had cinematic/theatrical elements about them that is impossible to deny. Whether it be the theatrics of Alice Cooper and KISS, or the cinematic elements of Nightwish, there is an inherent flair engraved inside of it all. This in mind, what do you get when you unify Metal musicians with a film composer? The answer is an act going by the name of Illumishade.
Providing a more detail, Illumishade is a relatively new project formed in Switzerland back in 2019 by Fabienne Erni. A name you might recognize, Erni has spent the last seven years singing and performing the Celtic harp, as well as Mandola, for Eluveitie. Joining her is also Eluveitie Guitarist Jonas Wolf, Bassist Yannick Urbanczik, as well as Drummer Marc Friedrich. All bringing something to the mix, the x-factor here would have to be Mirjam Skal; an active film composer in the Swiss film industry who holds a master’s diploma in film scoring at the Zurich University of the Arts.
A rather interesting combination, together as Illumishade they first emerged back in 2020 with the independently released album ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows. A compelling debut, on it they unified various styles ranging from Symphonic to Progressive Metal, but all with a keen sense for Pop hooks. Striking the interest of the well-known Napalm Records, they signed onto the label in the summer of 2023, and soon got to work on preparing new material for a sophomore album. In fact, they relatively quickly released the single “ENEMY” last July, before “Here We Are” in December. Following this up with the track “Cloudreader” in January of 2024, February 16th is set as the release date of their new full-length album, Another Side of You.
Following a theme, the album consists of fourteen songs in total that take you a journey through the trials and tribulations in life. Feeling like a film in many ways, there are ebbs and flows throughout each song that simulate the emotions of failure, heartbreak, tragic, but also the triumphs we feel on a road toward enlightenment and inner peace.
Rather beautiful, this is all executed with colorful compositions that are full of life, delicate textures, but also some crushing Metal guitar grooves/riffs. Bringing it all together Erni emotes the lyrics in a way that is not excess, yet effective enough to leave your inner sensations tingling. What this means is that there is no question that Illumishade is going for a cinematic and theatrical presentation, but it is passé. Instead, it sounds fresh, inspired, and accessible enough that even non-Metal fans will enjoy it.
Really an experience to be consuming as a collective piece, this is not to say you cannot also pick and choose where you want to go on Another Side of You once familiar with it. Taking this approach, you will no doubt find yourself enamored with “ELEGY” and each lovely layer, get lost in the groove of “ENEMY,” and feel uplifted by “In the Darkness.” This is while “Fairytale” will break your heart, before songs like “TWILY” will dazzle you, thanks to an arousing synthesized melody lead.
Overall, Another Side of You is a giant step forward for Illumishade. It is perhaps more refined than ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows, but while still following the same train of thought. Elegantly put together and not overloading your senses for the sake of self-indulgence, this is an album that is complex, yet still easy to digest and enjoy. That is why Cryptic Rock highly recommends any fan of full sounding Metal or Hard Rock music to explore Illumishade, giving Another Side of You 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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