Fronted by vocalist Fabienne Erni and guitarist Jonas Wolf modern metal upstarts ILLUMISHADE released their debut album “ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows” in May 2020, receiving top acclaim by critics and fans alike. Newly signed at Napalm Records, the band is releasing the follow sophomore album titled “Another Side of You.” The album has 14 songs. “Enter the Void” is first, and it’s a short, mood-setting instrumental, seguing into “ELEGY,” which opens with heavy guitar thuds, keyboards, and emotional vocals from Fabienne. The balance of a weighted backbone with melodies and harmonies in the chorus is just right.

 “ENEMY” storms out of the gate with a groove that is both heavy and ethereal at the same time. You can hear Djent accents in the guitars, but the vocals are quite smooth, and it’s in this area of compromise that the album lives. Those guitar accents sound like a chainsaw. “Cloudreader” has dialed back notes of pure bliss and a melody that is wide open for the taking. I love the change of pace here, and this song is so well put together that it could easily be on the radio. “CYCLONE” goes the other direction, with thick, weighted, and dark guitar notes that are bent like the twisted face of a monster.  But once again, the band shows restraint as the chorus shines with vocal harmonies.

 “Fairytale” is much more frail, and you can really hear the raw emotion and talent of singer Fabienne Erni. She belts out the chorus almost as if she is making a wish that she desperately wants to come true. “HYMN” is segued from the sweet instrumental “The Horizon Awaits.” It’s another song that breathes, as bright tones emanate as well as vocal harmonies that you just can’t help singing along with. “Riptide” is another video release, and the band made sure to offer plenty of them in advance of the album release. This song has a thick backbone of bass and guitars, with more dreamy vocals. “Verliebt” closes the album, and it’s a sugary sweet ballad of piano and vocals.

 For me, the album is all about balance and temperament. There are plenty of heavy, Djent moments from the guitar work, but they don’t overbalance the melodies. Nor do the melodies outshine the weight. Some of the structures they create are nothing short of gorgeous, but they also fuel your darker side and need for bloody meat.