Another Side of You
Another Side of You gives ILLUMISHADE a larger, more accessible sound. The guitars are heavy, the arrangements broad, and Fabienne Erni's voice remains clear throughout. The band connect modern metal with cinematic keyboards and pronounced pop melodies. The result is a colourful record, although its sweeter side can be more prominent than the heavy backing suggests.
After the brief Enter the Void, ELEGY gives the album a strong opening. Guitar accents put pressure on the music while the chorus leaves plenty of room for the vocals. ENEMY uses a similar difference between angular riffs and smooth melodies. The band allow these elements to coexist without making the voice constantly fight to be heard.
CYCLONE develops one of the most interesting ideas. Dark, weighty guitar parts create more tension, and the structure takes a more progressive direction. Clear singing and vocal harmonies still have a place. The contrast feels central to the song rather than a way of attaching two styles to one another.
The lighter pieces are more uneven. Cloudreader has an immediate melody and an open, accessible shape. That can be welcome after the heavier accents, but the shiny arrangement also removes some tension. Fairytale and closing piano ballad Verliebt (feat. Coen Janssen) place even more emphasis on Erni's sensitive singing. Her voice can carry that space, although the record does not always need to sound quite so grand and sweet.
At fourteen tracks, Another Side of You could have been tighter. Stronger moments sometimes stand out less because so many similarly polished melodies surround them. The combination of clear guitar work and distinctive vocals remains attractive. ILLUMISHADE find a convincing balance in the heavier songs, showing how well accessibility and musical tension can work together.
