I have come to enjoy it when members from other bands go out on their own and create their own thing. I appreciate hearing another side of their talents and musical minds. This is what has happened with Eluveitie’s Fabienne Erni and Jonas Wolf, and their project Illumishade. They are releasing the sophomore album, Another Side of You, on February 16th, 2024 through Napalm Records. It is a beautiful album with a lot to offer, including heavy and soft soundscapes and lyrical depths.
Illumishade began in 2019 and released its first album, Enemy in 2020. Erni and Wolf decided to branch out on another big musical journey while still maintaining their dedication to Eluveitie. They are joined by Mirjam Skal (synth), Yannick Urbanczik (bass), and Marc Friedrich (drums). Another Side of You is full of wonder and discovery as it checks many of the musical boxes of guitar riffs/solos, vocal ranges, dreamy soundscapes, heavy bass and drum beats, and airy synths. I appreciate the diversity from one track to the next. The artwork of the album and the visual performances in the videos add that much more depth to the band and the music.
Erni and Wolf both chatted with Metal Nation on this release and the feeling behind on of my favorite songs, “Hummingbird”. (If you are viewing from your phone, scroll to the bottom of the page and click, “View Desktop Version” to gain video access).