Album Review: Paleface Swiss – Cursed (Self Released)

Switzerland’s bastions of brutality, Paleface Swiss, are back with their highly anticipated third album, ‘Cursed’, which is set to drop on January 3rd, 2025.

It’s testament to their rise, that this album release feels so important. Not just for Paleface Swiss, but for the metal community in general. They’re a band with universal appeal, bringing people from all walks of life together to enjoy a masterclass in modern brutality, so when they have something new, we all pay attention.

Cursed is an interesting album for Paleface Swiss. Showcasing a developing musical palette and a consistency to what they’re doing that ensures longevity, but it’s also different as it’s far more personal than any other record the band has made. Its nine tracks are windows into tumultuous experiences, making this an album that the listener may be able to connect too in ways not experienced yet.

That’s wonderful and just another aspect of this band that can be lauded, but do you know what else is wonderful? How freaking hard this album goes. Un Pobre Niño Murió… A Poor Child Died. An intro that sets the scene, filled with disconcerting atmosphere and with layers of horror. Making the arrival of Hatred somewhat a relief, until you realise this is going to be one of their most brutalising tracks ever.

Take cover, this is manic savagery that draws comparisons to Iowa-era Slipknot, but that’s just high praise for Paleface Swiss and the beastliness of this track. For slightly over 3-minutes they go wild, and it’s unforgettable. It, like so many other tracks on this album, are going to be intense live. Especially when they come with such snarling viciousness as found on …and with hope you’ll be damned and with so much pit inducing heavy panic as found on Don’t You Ever Stop.

You’ll have heart palpitations but be loving every irregular beat as Paleface Swiss continue to throw their weight around with complete abandon. The way in which the guitars and drums combine to create nonstop eardrum popping heaviness is one thing, but the vocal delivery is simply unbelievable, especially the variety in styles and how aggressive the tone is. What vocalist Marc “Zelli” Zellweger can do is so impressive… and a little bit terrifying.

Keeping the record tight and very freaking sharp, there’s a modern infusion of hip-hop that gives Enough a fresh nu-flavour. Then Youth Decay comes with the kind of speed and feral intent that will result in an audible gulp. Yet, in a classic Paleface Swiss twist, it’s probably the most anthemic track of the album thanks to its chorus. All this, while the drums hit with the force of tectonic plates slamming into each other. Before My Blood on Your Hands puts the focus on the vocals in startling fashion. It’s not often you’ll hear a beat made up of fingers clicking on an album this heavy, and it working well.

The highlight though? The desperation in the vocals, the sickening breakdown at the end, and the brief spoken word outro. That track is a minute and forty seconds long. Absurd. If you had any doubts about this band’s inventiveness, this track will shut them down.

There is no time for a breather though, the penultimate track, Love Burns is another slamming, energetic, feral blast of excitable metal. Once again, there are some nu-metal vibes to this one, but it’s mostly beatdown focused, and that is what everyone will remember about it. Until the last minute when the tone becomes more melodic, and we get impressive clean singing. It’s another banger on an album of bangers, and the brilliant intensity continues right up to the dramatic and melodic ending of River of Sorrows. It’s not their strongest track, certainly a more experimental effort, but it’s still enjoyable.

Any negatives about this album are so minor though, because it’s an ‘all killer, no filler’ kind of release. Paleface Swiss distilling all that makes them great, all that makes them beloved, and all that ensures their future is brighter than ever. Be prepared to be picked up, slammed down, then picked up, and slammed down again and again while listening to it. You’ll love it, you sickos.

Paleface Swiss – Cursed Track Listing:

1. Un Pobre Niño Murió
2. Hatred
3. …and with hope you’ll be damned
4. Don’t You Ever Stop
5. Enough
6. Youth Decay
7. My Blood on Your Hands
8. Love Burns
9. River of Sorrows

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