ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows
Fabienne Erni's voice makes ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows immediately approachable. She sings clearly and warmly, even when ILLUMISHADE make the guitars heavier. Around her voice, the band build a cinematic setting with keyboards, strings and short instrumental pieces. A fantasy story provides the background, but knowing it is unnecessary to follow the melodies.
Tales Of Time brings the different sides together convincingly. Guest Chrigel Glanzmann provides a rougher vocal counterweight, while the guitars and large chorus maintain the momentum. Their exchange gives the song extra character. It remains a clearly shaped piece despite all its surrounding detail.
Crystal Silence takes a more direct route. Firm drums and guitars stand against a catchy melody, while the processed verse vocals introduce a slight unease. Erni can sing with power without losing clarity. That helps the music remain heavy and inviting at the same time.
What Have I Become leaves more room for the softer side. Its restrained opening develops gradually, and the guitar solo gives that build a strong conclusion. Later, Muse Of Unknown Forces introduces a darker sound and places more emphasis on the riffs. These changes show that the band can do more than develop one large, uplifting melody.
The short interludes are not equally necessary. They strengthen the atmosphere but can also interrupt the development of the main songs. A few ideas deserved more space instead of making way for another section. Still, the complete record is convincing. Strong singing, carefully handled guitars and clear melodies give this debut a firm foundation. ILLUMISHADE make imaginative music with an accessible centre. ECLYPTIC has a particular appeal when those two qualities come together and the arrangements give the individual songs enough room to develop.
