Switzerland might not be your first thought when thinking extremely heavy music (it certainly wasn’t mine), well it is time to think again because Paleface Swiss are here to blow any preconceptions out the water. Formed in 2017 (as the snappy Paleface), a kind of regeneration occurred in 2022 when they settled on their current moniker (and made their live debut), and since then it has very much been full steam ahead, releasing their third album (and the first under their new moniker) Cursed earlier this year. Umleased exactly a year after that album, latest EP The Wilted continues the good work and suggests that 2026 will be the year of Paleface Swiss.
Paleface Swiss have been labelled everything from deathcore to beatdown hardcore via nu-metal, yet they’ve successfully avoided easy categorisation by taking these various genres and formulating them into something wholly original. A rather disconcerting, discombobulating intro is indicative of this and segues into opener proper ‘Withering Flower’, and then Paleface Swiss are off and doing what they do best, namely beating the listener into a bloody pulp. Like a master of martial arts, the band throw all sorts of neat moves and attack the listener from all angles; lithe and athletic, yet heavy and brutal, the band dish out the heavy stuff with a take-no-prisoners kind of attitude. They place their foot on the listener’s neck and keep it there over the course of fifteen rumbustious minutes.
What elevates Paleface Swiss above their peers is the desire to break new ground. While fans of deathcore will find much to admire here, the band have largely left the pig squeals and other traits associated with deathcore in the rear view mirror. The band haven’t burned their boats, but there’s a forward facing attitude in tracks such as ‘Instrument Of War’ that breathe new life into a scene that was reaching a dead end. It was a risky move, but in a case of fortune favouring the brave it really works and ensures that Paleface Swiss are built for the long haul. It’s an approach best exemplified by closing track ‘Everything Is Fine’ with its clean vocals (shock! horror!) and emo vibe and finds the band nimbly side stepping easy classification.
Paleface Swiss are getting 2026 off to a supremely heavy start and judging by The Wilted, it’s going to be a good year.
- The Wilted is released via Bloodblast Distribution on 2nd January 2026.
- Official Website | Facebook | YouTube Channel
Track List:
- Intro
- Withering Flower
- Let Me Sleep
- Instrument Of War
- Everything Is Fine
