Paleface Swiss – The Wilted EP
Release Date: 2nd January 2026
Label: Blood Blast Distribution
In an effort to continue the momentum from their third album release Cursed at the beginning of the year, Zurich’s rising stars in the metal world Paleface Swiss set out to enter 2026 in a similar fashion with their new release The Wilted EP.
With a widely recognised reputation of balancing unrelenting sonic brutality with raw, unrestrained vulnerability, The Wilted EP expands upon the self-professed rage and downfall found within the chapters of the Cursed universe, reflecting on phases of decay and renewal. This aftermath subsequently sticks to the group’s signature blend of beat-down heavy metalcore, packing in tight as many chops as possible into these four songs.
Opening on a suitably brief and pensive answer machine intro, the EP kicks off with ‘Withering Flower’. Dredged from the same depths of despair found in January’s release, and full of rabid howling straight from the get go, this track ticks all the boxes in attempting to catch your attention. Be its unorthodox vocal harmonies in the chorus, sporadic slam sections straight from the Knocked Loose playbook, or mini thrash-tinted guitar shredding, this piece sets a tone of introspection being that of unrestrained emotion.
‘Let Me Sleep’ is a launchpad of energy, lead by blast beats and gang vocals. Neat and sweet in under three minutes, this mosh anthem is bound to encourage a head bang or stank face from listeners with its “same riff, but slower” moments, all tied up with beautifully resonant snare bombs pinging off the walls.
In ‘Instrument of War’, we return to a more melodic version of Paleface Swiss, perhaps emphasised by the feature of Stick To Your Guns. With this duet bouncing back and forth across the track, the momentum and grandeur feels very much like a conscious effort crafted for some viral live moments ahead of their shared tour next year. This is undeniably the most memorable track off this collection however; with it’s considered lead lines and wonderfully nasty half time breakdown likely to do the rounds on the socials.
Closing out this EP with a well-deserved break from the vocal diatribes (as well as being the chosen lead single) is ‘Everything is Fine’. Frontman Marc Zellweger sticks almost exclusively to a cleaner, more melodic delivery in this track. This high gain ballad finds Zellweger telling the story of “two lovers caught in situations they cannot change”, complete with a giant sweeping guitar solo seeing us to the finish line.
In this brief, yet confident addition to the Paleface Swiss discography, The Wilted EP serves as confirmation of a band fully embracing their sound for the new generation.
FFO: Vended / LANDMVRKS / The Ghost Inside
Recommended Track: Instrument Of War