Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

With ‘Starveil’, Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie, ILLUMISHADE) unveils her anticipated debut solo album, a deeply personal and immersive work that marks a defining new chapter in her artistic journey. The record was released worldwide on March 13th.

Fabienne Erni’s debut solo album Starveil moves fluidly between modern metal intensity and folk-inspired textures, blending heavy riffs, cinematic arrangements, and organic instrumentation with Fabienne Erni’s distinctive vocal presence. Storytelling lies at the heart of the album, inviting listeners into an atmospheric and emotionally driven world that gradually reveals its own developing lore. Throughout the record, subtle narrative details, symbolic elements, and fragments of an invented fantasy language form a layered listening experience that unfolds over time.

Best known as the singer of Eluveitie and ILLUMISHADE, Erni has already lent her voice to countless stages and recordings worldwide. With Starveil, she places her most personal artistic vision at the forefront. The album reflects her passion for musical diversity, ranging from powerful metal moments to fragile passages, and unfolds as an evocative journey that draws listeners deep into its emotional landscapes.

Fabienne Erni shares: “This album is the most personal project I have ever worked on, and I find it difficult to put into words how proud I am of it. Taking on this new challenge meant navigating unfamiliar territory, learning new things, and stepping far outside my comfort zone.

Storytelling has always been at the heart of what inspires me, the power of escaping into another world for a moment, and this record gave me the space to fully embrace that both lyrically and musically. It allowed me to create an entire universe with its own developing lore and to weave fragments of an invented fantasy language into the songs. Throughout the album, there are intentionally placed hidden elements, narrative hints, and symbolic moments waiting to be discovered over time.

I am deeply grateful to have worked with such talented and inspiring artists on this record. Vidick (Infected Rain) supported me in countless ways throughout the creative process, and the collaboration with Lena Scissorhands, frontwoman of Infected Rain, brought a powerful intensity and a unique color to the album.

Bringing the hammered dulcimer, performed by the brilliant Ephraim Salzmann, was a long-held dream of mine, as I have always been captivated by the unique tone of that instrument. Releasing this music feels both vulnerable and empowering. It is an invitation into my inner world, and I hope it gives listeners a pause to breathe, a moment of comfort, and a passage into a world just beyond our own.”

Starveil – Tracklist

1. Vareon
2. Sky’s Breath
3. Ritual (feat Lena Scissorhands)
4. Stone by Stone
5. Starveil
6. Living and the Dead
7. Shaelun Vyrathi
8. Forged in Me
9. Never Let Go
10. Elren
11. Thalen Muron
12. Call Beyond Time
13. Lullaby Echo

Listen and order the album here: https://ffm.to/starveil

Fabienne Erni is a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Switzerland; best known for her work in Folk Metal sensation Eluveitie, and the founding of the genre-transcending modern metal band ILLUMISHADE. At around 13 years old, Erni first discovered a love for singing, inspired by multi-range artists like Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Sarah Connor and Whitney Houston. Later on, she began expressing her love for music more deeply through the piano. Her enthusiasm for storytelling and music thrived through musical theatre releases, ballads, Disney Songs and Film soundtracks. But it was the moment she witnessed Elton John’s “Aida” musical as a teenager in Stuttgart, Germany that truly solidified her desire to become a singer.  

Her passion for music continued to thrive into adulthood, and after high school she studied Complete Vocal Technique in Copenhagen; learning not only to refine her vocal technique, but also to connect more deeply with her voice, allowing it to grow stronger and more expressive than  ever before.

With school behind her, Erni took time to travel, journeying through places like India, Nepal, and Thailand. At age 20, she eventually settled in the far north of Sweden to study music for a year in the town of Haparanda. Here, her fascination for both the language and the land energized her; an experience that not only shaped her personally, but also helped her grow immensely in musical confidence. Shortly after, Fabienne was accepted at Zurich’s ZHdK where she obtained her master’s degrees in Pop music. It was during her studies here that she met Jonas Wolf, who recognized that she would be an exciting fit for Eluveitie and successfully connected her to the band. She became part of the group not only as a vocalist, but also took up the harp and deepened  both her vocal expression and her connection to the Gaulish language at the heart of the band’s Celtic spirit.

After a warm welcome to the metal scene, Erni formed ILLUMISHADE in 2019 together with her by then close musical sparring partner Jonas Wolf, as well as Mirjam Skal, Yannick Urbanczik,  and Marc Friedrich – three exceptional musicians and close friends she had met during her  studies. In 2020, ILLUMISHADE released their debut album ‘ECLYPTIC: Wake of Shadows’, a  concept record that resonated across the internet with its inspirational music and brought together  both new and familiar listeners, primarily through its visionary sound, but also through the  immersive world it built around it. Since then, ILLUMISHADE has taken their place in the scene,  signing with Napalm Records, and releasing their second album: Another Side of You. Beyond  that, the band continues to captivate global audiences with regular international tours and festival  appearances across Europe and North America.

As Erni manages her time alongside touring the globe with Eluveitie and ILLUMISHADE, she also hosts her own Patreon channel, connecting with a vibrant community of fans worldwide. It’s no surprise that her dedication and musical instinct have led her to explore additional instruments, including the ukulele and bouzouki, while also expanding her vocal skillset with techniques like screaming. Thanks to her distinctive voice and artistic openness, Fabienne has also been invited to contribute to a wide range of musical collaborations, such as with Feuerschwanz, Mortemia, TVINNA, Lindsay Schoolcraft, The Dark Side of the Moon, Temperance, Seas on the Moon and Off the Cross. Together with multi-instrumentalist and producer Vadim ‘Vidick’ Ojog of Infected  Rain, the two expand their creative synergy in a new studio project called MINDNOVA, following  their earlier work on a variety of beautiful tracks for Vidick’s side project ANOTHERKIND.

Having journeyed through a rich and varied musical landscape throughout her life, lending  her voice to countless powerful moments both on stage and in the studio, Erni now stands  at the threshold of a new chapter. For the first time, her most personal artistic vision will  take center stage as she begins shaping her solo debut. A first series of singles is set to  unfold in 2025, with a full album planned for release in 2026. Rooted deeply in her artistic  vision and fiery heart, the songs reflect a diverse and dynamic creative output, through  which she invites the world to explore her own musical universe alongside her.  

What lies ahead is more than just a collection of songs – it is a reflection of Fabienne Erni’s creative essence.

FABIENNE ERNI – LIVE (Solo Shows):

May 10th – A38, Budapest HUN
May 12th – Tosca Play, Ankara TUR
May 13th – Blind, Istanbul TUR
May 15th – Mixtape 5, Sofia BGR
May 17th – Hard Rock Cafe, Bucharest ROU

FABIENNE ERNI – LIVE with Eluveitie:

July 4th – Augusta Raurica, An Evening with Eluveitie
Aug. 5-8th – Montelago Celtic Festival, Serravalle di Chienti IT
Aug. 6th – Festival Interceltique De Lorient, Lorient FR
Sept. 9-12th – Progpower, Atlanta USA
Nov. 17 – Dec. 13th – Anv Rising II, Europe Tour

FABIENNE ERNI – OFFICIAL CHANNELS:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fabienne_erni
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabienneerni/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabienneerniofficial
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fabienneerni
Merchandise Store: https://fabienneerni.bigcartel.com/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fabienneerni