Over the past two years, Paleface Swiss has quietly become a force in the European music scene. With noteworthy slots at Bloodstock and Hellfest among their achievements, their third album, ‘Cursed’, merely spurred on their ascension. Now 12 months on, ‘The wilted EP’ has arrived to keep the momentum going. It sees Zürich quartet serve four tracks (and one intro number) that ideally condense their ravenous blend of deathcore, nu-metal, and beatdown hardcore.
After a distraught voicemail message and a gunshot sound effect make up the aforementioned intro, we’re thrown straight into ‘Whitering Flower’. Erupting with gritty guitars and intense percussion, Marc “Zelli” Zellweger’s blaring vocals prove to be a force. The early Slipknot comparisons that have clouded Paleface Swiss are clear. Their sound has a wiry nu-metal sound that suffocates. Zelli’s clean vocals are carried with a hint of paranoia, backed by a filthy breakdown.
‘Let Me Sleep’ doesn’t offer an ounce of respite as Cassiano “Cassi” Toma’s shotgun blast spirals into disgusting carnage. Zelli’s rapid vocal bites, as Yannick Lehmann’s crushing guitars and Tommy Lee’s thick bass maintain the band’s venomous onslaught. Next, ‘Instrument Of War’ sees Paleface Swiss lean into their metalcore side with some help from Stick To Your Guns, utilising contrasting dense verses with soaring, melodic choruses. Although it lacks the instant intensity of what’s come before it, it still allows the four-piece to demonstrate a big, meaty sound with a fiery guitar solo thrown in.
Having shown their reasonable versatility, the closing track, ‘Everything Is Fine,’ pushes this further. With the tempo pulled back, Zellweger provides a strong, clean vocal performance, full of emotion. Treading on ballad territory, Zellweger’s painful words are aided by sprawling guitars and a thick rhythm section. Although it doesn’t have the ferocious intensity that ‘Whitering Flower’ and ‘Let Me Sleep’ provide, ‘Everything Is Fine’ maintains the melancholic tone, executed more boldly. In turn, this makes it a standout track in this short outing.
For a growing band like Paleface Swiss, ‘The wilted EP’ serves as a fitting release. It introduces new listeners to what they’re all about, while giving those who have been on board for a while something to indulge in. It captures their punishing sound while dripping in melodic layers, widening their potential going forward.
‘The wilted EP’ by Paleface Swiss is available now on Bloodblast Distribution.
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