EP Review: Paleface Swiss – The Wilted

EP Review: Paleface Swiss - The Wilted

EP Review: Paleface Swiss - The Wilted

Reviewed by Oli Gonzalez

Paleface Swiss. Fast rising newcomers or firmly established giants? That depends on who you ask. The numbers don’t lie though. Millions of streams, sold out headline tours, and staggering ticket sales across Europe and the USA will make you realise that the Switzerland natives are to be taken seriously. Many in the UK will have been introduced to the band as they stormed the main stage at Bloodstock 2025. They’re looking to build on this wave of momentum with their upcoming EP “The Wilted”, and bring their exciting blend of old school nu-metal, crushing beatdown, and scorching modern metalcore to the ears of their already vast fanbase and to new listeners. Personally, I fall into the latter category, and being a guy who loves his metal, low, slow, and progressive. Paleface Swiss will be a significant change of space and will offer something different. So, without further ado, let’s get into it…

“YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE”

“HEY, ERM, I HAVEN’T FROM YOU IN QUITE A WHILE”

The album opens with a voicemail, alongside a clearly distressed and sobbing voice. Perhaps he’s had an argument with his partner and is just…BANG! GUNSHOT! 23 seconds into the album it’s already suitably bleak! This will leave you in confusion and shock. Who was that voice and why did he…no time for contemplation though as we’re thrown straight into the action with ‘Whitering Flower’.

No fancy extended intros as you’re immediately lathered with a bruising modern metalcore ambush! The sound is characterized by the most filthy distorted guitars and what’s becoming the trademark low end growl of vocalist Marc. Whist his cleans may not have the same intensity, it’s impossible to overlook the sheer primitive angst in his heavier vocals. And before I’ve finished writing this sentence, the song has finished! Again, no fancy introductions or extended intros. This is written in an era where streaming and air time are more precious than ever. People’s attention spans are getting shorter and shorter too, so it’s kind of a necessity to get straight to the point.

EP Review: Paleface Swiss - The Wilted

This no BS, no holds barred approach continues in ‘Let Me Sleep’. Lemme tell you, this will incite some serious pits and unmitigated carnage in a live setting! When you hear this song, you’ll know why. In a short sharp bust of 2 and a half minutes, it’s all over! In the time it would take a band like Bell Witch to change chords. This is a sprint, not a marathon.

‘Instrument Of War’ offers a much welcome injection of melody to proceedings. This comes via the guitars, changing their attack from low and dirty to euphonious and aesthetic during the chorus. Much of which can also be said for the instantly memorable and soaring chorus.

Within a blink of an eye, we’re at the final song of the EP. Saving the best for last? Most definitely! Paleface Swiss again change their route of offense and offer a significant change in compositional approach during ‘Everything Is Fine’. Slower, more deliberate, the band demonstrate that they can still be intense without cranking the distortion up to 10! The guitars conjure up some incredible tones and blazing riffs, the kind the early days of metalcore were famed for (think Killswitch Engage, All That Remains., et al.). I made a comment about Marc’s cleaner vocals being weaker; I RETRACT THAT STATEMENT. This is a vocal performance that will violently tug on your heart strings and demonstrates that Zellweger is anything but a one trick pony!

“PLEASE DON’T SAY GOODBYE!”

Well, as soon as the EP has begun, in less time than some of Opeth’s songs, it’s all over. So, are Paleface Swiss still an up and coming band, or an established entity? Dualism is a concept were two opposing entities can both be true. This applies adequately here. Paleface Swiss have earned their seat at the table of the genre’s elite whilst demonstrating a staggering potential with seemingly no bounds with this blistering effort!

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