Words and Photos: Louie Galvez
https://www.instagram.com/mata.ni.louie/
On Tuesday, March 25, the Gramercy Theatre in New York City pulsated with raw energy as PALEFACE SWISS delivered an unforgettable evening of musical intensity. The venue reached capacity with eager New Yorkers gathered to witness what would prove to be an exceptional showcase of contemporary heavy music.
Opening Acts Set the Stage
The evening commenced with NASTY, the German/Belgian metalcore outfit from La Calamine. Their performance created an eerie yet captivating atmosphere that immediately commanded attention. NASTY presents a return to a more primal and straightforward interpretation of extreme metal, though their sound gravitates more toward hardcore and metalcore than the complexity often associated with death metal. Their set occasionally suffered from monotony, with tracks bleeding into one another without clear distinction. The frontman’s persistent encouragement for audience participation manifested in calls for an ambitious circle pit that would navigate around the venue’s architectural features.
Following this opening salvo, STICK TO YOUR GUNS transformed the atmosphere entirely. This Orange County, California-based hardcore punk ensemble, led by the charismatic Jesse Barnett, engaged the audience with passionate compositions that inspired both physical and emotional responses. Their dynamic performance, characterized by crunchy, textured riffs and electrifying sonic landscapes, ignited chaotic mosh pit activity throughout the venue. While they may not align perfectly with my personal preferences, their live performance quality is undeniable. Their aesthetic evokes a post-hardcore/Warped Tour sensibility that feels simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary.
PALEFACE SWISS: The Main Event
The undisputed highlight of the evening was PALEFACE SWISS, the Zurich-formed deathcore collective established in 2017. The current lineup features vocalist Marc “Zelli” Zellweger, guitarist Yannick Lehmann, bassist Tommy Lee, and drummer Cassiano “Cassi” Toma—a formidable assembly of musical talent.
My initial discovery of the band occurred during a workout session, where their track “Nail to the Tooth” provided an electrifying soundtrack that elevated the entire experience. Their live performance proved nothing short of phenomenal and, frankly, criminally underrated considering they sold out a 650-capacity venue—a testament to their rapidly expanding fanbase.
After sharing my enthusiasm about the band with my editor, who was initially unfamiliar with their work (our UK team provided a review of their latest offering), he later requested I cover their media presence. PALEFACE SWISS delivered spectacularly, showcasing Zellweger’s extraordinary vocal versatility, which seamlessly transitions between melodic singing, rapid-fire rapping, guttural growls, pig squeals, and powerful screams—a truly remarkable technical display.
Their stage presence flipped the typical concert experience, offering something genuinely inspiring and refreshingly authentic. In a particularly touching moment, the lead vocalist took time to individually acknowledge each member of their extended team, from security personnel to management, expressing sincere gratitude to all who contributed to making “THE CURSED TOUR” possible.
Final Verdict
This concert marked my introduction to the exhilaration of a proper mosh pit. For those contemplating attendance at a PALEFACE SWISS performance, I offer unequivocal encouragement: any hesitation should be abandoned. Even if their latest recorded material left you wanting (as it admittedly did for me), their live execution delivers an experience that justifies every cent invested in admission.
A transcendent evening of musical craftsmanship that establishes PALEFACE SWISS as a formidable presence in contemporary heavy music.
Known for their incomparable live performances and fearless approach to intense and vulnerable topics, Paleface Swiss has built a reputation as one of the most vital, unfiltered and rapidly rising forces in the world of modern metal today. With Cursed the band’s third full length album, Paleface Swiss are ready to take listeners into their darkest, most intricate, and artistically diverse chapter yet, combining their trademark deathcore heaviness with raw vulnerability, a rare and special combination for a band within their genre. With a brand new album, an ever-growing army of devoted fans, critical acclaim, sold-out headline shows, and stellar festival performances garnering new fans wherever they go, Paleface Swiss have their sights firmly set total, global domination.
PALEFACE SWISS Are:
Vox: Marc “Zelli” Zellweger
Guitar: Yannick Lehmann
Bass: Tommy-Lee Abt
Drums: Cassiano ‘Cassi’ Toma
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