Illumishade unveils heavy new single ‘Riptide’

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! On their new single, modern metal banger “Riptide”, ILLUMISHADE’s rhythm section demonstrates some of its most impactful work on the album.

“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?”

Watch the stunning official video for “Riptide” HERE

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.

ILLUMISHADE add:

“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.”

Pre-order your copy of Another Side of You HERE:

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.

ILLUMISHADE Live 2024

Album Release Shows
w/ AD INFINITUM, Lyrre & Voice of Ruin
08.03.24 CH – Zurich / Dynamo
09.03.23 CH – Lausanne / Docks

NORTH AMERICA TOUR
supporting Korpiklaani & Visions of Atlantis
04.08.24 US – Reading, PA
04.09.24 US – New York City, NY
04.10.24 US – Boston, MA
04.11.24 CA – Montreal, QC
04.12.24 CA – Ottawa, ON
04.13.24 CA – Toronto, ON
04.14.24 US – Pontiac, MI
04.15.24 US – Milwaukee, WI
04.17.24 US – Minneapolis, MN
04.18.24 CA – Winnipeg, MB
04.19.24 CA – Regina, SK
04.20.24 CA – Edmonton, AB
04.21.24 CA – Calgary, AB
04.23.24 CA – Vancouver, BC
04.24.24 US – Seattle, WA
04.25.24 US – Portland, OR
04.26.24 US – San Francisco, CA
04.27.24 US – Los Angeles, CA
04.28.24 US – San Diego, CA
04.29.24 US – Phoenix, AZ
05.01.24 US – Denver, CO
05.02.24 US – Lincoln, NE
05.03.24 US – Joliet, IL
05.04.24 US – Pittsburgh, PA
05.05.24 US – Baltimore, MD

EUROPE TOUR
as Special Guest for Visions of Atlantis:
19.09.24 AT – Vienna / Szene
20.09.24 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra
24.09.24 PL – Warsaw / Hydrozagadka
25.09.24 DE – Berlin / Frannz
26.09.24 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle
27.09.24 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser
28.09.24 DE – Essen / Turock
29.09.24 DE – Frankfurt / Das Bett
01.10.24 NL – Haarlem / Patronaat
02.10.24 NL – Tilburg / O13
03.10.24 BE – Kortrijk / DVG Club
04.10.24 UK – London / The Underworld
05.10.24 UK – Manchester / Rebellion
07.10.24 UK – Bristol / Exchange
09.10.24 FR – Lyon / La Rayonne
10.10.24 FR – Toulouse / Metronum
11.10.24 ES – Barcelona / Sala Boveda
12.10.24 ES – Madrid / Sala Revi Live
13.10.24 PT – Lisbon / RCA Club
14.10.24 ES – Vitoria / Urban Rock Concept
15.10.24 FR – Paris / Petit Bain
16.10.24 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle
17.10.24 CH – Pratteln / Z7
18.10.24 CH – Wil / Gare de Lion
19.10.24 IT – Milan / Legend Club
21.10.24 DE – Nürnberg / Hirsch
22.10.24 DE – Cham /L.A.
23.10.24 DE – Stuttgart / Im Wizemann
24.10.24 AT – Wörgl / Komma
25.10.24 IT – Treviso / New Age
26.10.24 AT – Graz / PPC

Festivals
31.05.24 CZ – Pilsen / Metalfest Open Air
13.06.24 ES – Zamora / Z! Live Rock Fest
14.06.24 PT – São Pedro Do Sul / Belavista Open Air

ILLUMISHADE are:
Fabienne Erni – Voice, Piano     
Jonas Wolf – Guitars     
Mirjam Skal – Orchestration / Synths    
Yannick Urbanczik – Bass            
Marc Friedrich – Drums