Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this interview, Fabienne Erni (Eluvietie, Illumishade) opens up about her highly anticipated debut solo album Starveil and the deeply personal journey behind it.
Best known as the powerful voice of Eluveitie and the cinematic metal project ILLUMISHADE, Fabienne reveals why this album represents a different side of her artistry. She talks about embracing vulnerability, building an immersive fantasy-inspired world within the music, and why she made the conscious decision not to try to please everyone with this project.
We also dive into the creative process behind Starveil, the blending of modern metal, folk-inspired textures, cinematic arrangements, and the storytelling elements that run throughout the album—including fragments of a mysterious invented language. Fabienne also shares how fantasy stories like the Harry Potter universe have influenced her love of world-building and storytelling.
If you're a fan of symphonic metal, folk metal, cinematic metal, fantasy-inspired music, or bands like Eluveitie and Illumishade, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the creative mind of one of modern metal’s most unique voices.
Subscribe for more exclusive metal interviews, artist deep dives, and conversations with the musicians shaping the future of heavy music.
Video used:
Fabienne Erni - Stone by Stone (Official Music Video) youtube.com/watch?v=LC1_YMat8Qc
New to the channel? #please_subscribe
0:00 Intro
1:21 Busy by Coincidence?
5:01 Heavier Than Expected!
6:49 Building a Universe
10:53 Fragile & Powerful
12:55 I Don't Give a Sh*t!
16:02 Harry Potter
17:03 Solo Shows
19:57 Outro
In this interview, Fabienne Erni (Eluvietie, Illumishade) opens up about her highly anticipated debut solo album Starveil and the deeply personal journey behind it.
Best known as the powerful voice of Eluveitie and the cinematic metal project ILLUMISHADE, Fabienne reveals why this album represents a different side of her artistry. She talks about embracing vulnerability, building an immersive fantasy-inspired world within the music, and why she made the conscious decision not to try to please everyone with this project.
We also dive into the creative process behind Starveil, the blending of modern metal, folk-inspired textures, cinematic arrangements, and the storytelling elements that run throughout the album—including fragments of a mysterious invented language. Fabienne also shares how fantasy stories like the Harry Potter universe have influenced her love of world-building and storytelling.
If you're a fan of symphonic metal, folk metal, cinematic metal, fantasy-inspired music, or bands like Eluveitie and Illumishade, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the creative mind of one of modern metal’s most unique voices.
Subscribe for more exclusive metal interviews, artist deep dives, and conversations with the musicians shaping the future of heavy music.
Video used:
Fabienne Erni - Stone by Stone (Official Music Video) youtube.com/watch?v=LC1_YMat8Qc
New to the channel? #please_subscribe
0:00 Intro
1:21 Busy by Coincidence?
5:01 Heavier Than Expected!
6:49 Building a Universe
10:53 Fragile & Powerful
12:55 I Don't Give a Sh*t!
16:02 Harry Potter
17:03 Solo Shows
19:57 Outro
