Illumishade featuring Fabienne Erni and Jonas Wolf of Eluveitie unveils new single and video "Riptide" - Allied Forces

The wait will soon be over to finally experience the brand new studio album by Swiss modern metal upstarts Illumishade. The rising band, fronted by vocalist Fabienne Erni and guitarist Jonas Wolf (both of Eluveitie) and completed with orchestration and synths by film composer Mirjam Skal, bass by Yannick Urbanczik, and drums by Marc Friedrich, will release their Napalm Records debut, Another Side Of You, this Friday, February 16. Illumishade‘s rhythm section demonstrates some of its most impactful work on the album on their new single, modern metal banger Riptide.

Riptide is now available via all streaming services worldwide and goes in line with a captivating high-quality music video, alternating between breathtaking beauty and heavy soundscapes. Don’t miss diving into the enthralling world of this illuminating star and check out the official video for Riptide below:

Illumishade on Riptide:”‘Riptide’ tempts the listener with promises of absolution and carelessness. But beware, everything comes at a price. Will you succumb to its tidal temptation or will you hold on to the dilemmas and rewards of our earthly existence?“

The previous single from Illumishade‘s new album Cloudreader can be listened below:

“‘Cloudreader’ describes our human journey as an ever-flowing tide of decay and renewal from which we can harvest a devout humility“, says the band about their new single. “Deeply remedial at its core, this song is a pathfinder for individual peace“.

Cloudreader is part of Illumishade‘s long-awaited second album titled Another Side Of You, which will be released on February 16 via Napalm Records. The album was recorded by vocalist and pianist Fabienne Erni, guitarist Jonas Wolf, bassist Yannick Urbanczik, drummer Marc Friedrich and Mirjam Skal is in charge of orchestration and synths.

Another Side of You is the successor to Illumishade‘s acclaimed debut album, ECLYPTIC: Wake Of Shadows. The second coup showcases a more modern approach both lyrically and musically, while still transporting the listener into an immersive world rich with mesmerizing soundscapes (even enhanced by the Budapest Art Orchestra at certain points) and massive and dreamlike vocal lines, marking the perfect start of a brand new chapter for this promising outfit.

About the album, the band adds: “Marking the beginning of a new era, our album Another Side Of You bridges the tangible and the ethereal. It’s an odyssey to the many facets of human emotion but also the challenges we all face in this ever-changing world. Another Side of You is about grounding in reality, yet also letting the music carry you to places unknown“.

Straight out of the gate, opener Elegy darkens the sonic sky with heavy riffs, ominous soundscapes, and a soothing chorus. Even a Theremin makes an appearance, showcasing the band’s experimental palette right from the beginning. Skal’s ethereal tapestries of cinematic greatness lie heavily over the pounding rhythm section, but even more so on its heavier relative Cyclone. The track expands on this approach, making it the progressive pièce de résistance of the album with its cinematic swathes of sound, Meshuggah-esque lead guitar assaults, and even a majestic finale reminiscent of Pink Floyd merged with Tesseract. Drummer Marc Friedrich shines bright here, displaying a dazzling array of ballistic fills and complex grooves, while Here We Are impresses with a stomping chorus and an exciting variety in its middle part.

Illumishade is no stranger to ballads, as Fairytale is loaded to the brim with emotion – proving that Fabienne Erni is, without any doubt, one of the most talented vocalists in the current metal scene, reminiscent of her grandiose performance on Eclyptic’s Rise. Jonas Wolf’s guitar playing shines throughout Another Side of You, boasting towering riffs and searing leads as on Fairytale and power metal homage In The Darkness, artfully combining fretboard pyrotechnics, soulful melodies often surrounding Erni’s vocals, and a healthy dose of blues, making him a truly exciting player in the scene.

The longing atmosphere created in Twily takes the listener on a whole other journey with tingling melodies and probably the most catchy riff on the album, bringing more modern influences to the plate again. A massive surprise awaits in the form of album closer Verliebt (Engl. in love). Backed by beautiful piano melodies delivered by Coen Jannsen from Epica, the closing track is sung in Erni‘s native Swiss German and, as on all songs, features soulfully penned lyrics by bass player Yannick Urbanczik.

Tracklist:

Enter the Void
ELEGY
ENEMY
In the Darkness
Cloudreader
Here We Are
CYCLONE
Fairytale
The Horizon Awaits
HYMN
TWILY
Riptide
Hummingbird
Verliebt (feat. Coen Janssen)

Another Side Of You will be available for sale in digital format, 1 CD Digisleeve, CD and T-shirt bundle, 2-LP gatefold white/black marbled vinyl limited to 300 units (Napalm Records Shop only) and 2-LP gatefold black vinyl. You can pre-order Another Side Of You via Napalm Records official website.

Illumishade has confirmed some dates for 2024, either supporting Delain or presenting their new album with Ad Infinitum, Lyrre and Voice Of Ruin. Below you can see the list of dates on which Illumishade will be performing:

Dark Waters Over Europe Act II with Delain:
January 19 – De Pul, Uden (The Netherlands)
January 20 – P60, Amstelveen (The Netherlands)
January 24 – Hirsch, Nuremberg (Deutschland)
January 25 – Hellraiser, Leipzig (Deutschland)
January 26 – Proxima, Warsaw (Poland)
January 27 – Barba Negra Blue Stage, Budapest (Hungary)
January 28 – Szene, Vienna (Austria)
January 30 – Santeria Toscana 31, Milan (Italy)
January 31 – Z7, Pratteln (Switzerland)
February 1 – Colos Saal, Aschaffenburg (Deutschland)
February 2 – De Nieuwe Nor, Heerlen (The Netherlands)
February 3 – Matrix, Bochum (Deutschland)

Illumishade w/ Ad Infinitum, Lyrre and Voice Of Ruin:
March 8 – Dynamo, Zurich (Switzerland)
MArch 9 – Docks, Lausanne (Switzerland)

Festivals:
May 31 – Metalfest Open Air 2024, Pilsen (Czech Republic)
June 13 – Z! Live Rock Fest 2024, Zamora (Spain)