Those familiar with Fabienne Erni know her as the voice and harpist of Eluveitie and co-founder of ILLUMISHADE. With Starveil, released in March 2026 as an independent publication, the Swiss singer and multi-instrumentalist steps onto fully solo ground for the first time – and does so with remarkable maturity.
The album moves at the intersection of folk metal and modern symphonic metal without committing firmly to either. Heavy riffs meet cinematic arrangements, organic instrumentation meets electronic depth – all held together by Erni’s distinctive voice, which covers every nuance from delicate to dramatic. The sonic spectrum is deliberately wide: there is considerably more breathing room here between full-on symphonic metal and atmospheric folk-pop than anything her previous projects suggested.
Narratively, Starveil is ambitious in its construction. An invented fantasy language, symbolic imagery and subtle narrative threads run throughout the album, building a self-contained world that reveals itself fully only across multiple listens. The intro „Vareon“ opens this world quietly and atmospherically before „Sky’s Breath“ picks up momentum with a driving chorus.
One of the album’s highlights is „Ritual“ – a collaboration with Lena Scissorhands of Infected Rain. The energy of the two vocalists complements each other surprisingly well, the tension builds steadily and releases in a dense, harsh finale. In contrast, „Stone by Stone“ leans into more accessible, pop-sharpened structures, demonstrating just how versatile Erni’s approach can be.
Instrumentally, the album is richly layered: hammered dulcimer, viola, bagpipes, tin whistle and bamboo flute give the tracks an organic grounding without slipping into folkloric clichés. Lead producer Vadim Ojog keeps the sound transparent and well-balanced throughout.
The album closes with „Lullaby Echo“ – a melancholic, reverb-soaked fade that thematically circles back to the album’s opening and gives the record a deliberately rounded dramatic arc.
Starveil is not a side project between band commitments, but a carefully considered statement. Fabienne Erni uses the creative freedom to articulate a musical identity that reaches beyond her previous roles – and does so convincingly.
Starveil | Fabienne Erni | Independent | March 2026 | 13 Tracks | approx. 40 minutes
Stream the album on Spotify: