Paleface Swiss - Project House, Leeds 26.02.2025
On the 26th of February, Switzerland based Deathcore upstarts Paleface Swiss took over Leeds' Project House for the 'Cursed' Tour, with support coming from Desolated and The Acacia Strain.
Southampton Hardcore outfit Desolated kicked things off for the evening, and right out of the gates the crowd was captivated. The energy the group brought to the stage was infectious, with each track showcasing their brand of hardcore to a T. They have perfected their stage show, with every single member executing their roles perfectly, from the riffs and basslines being pitch-perfect compared to the recorded counterparts, the fervent drumming and at times demonic vocals, throwing in breakdowns and a pitch perfect pacing in their setlist, they were a phenomenal choice to open the show, and it is about damn time they got the recognition they deserve.
Up next came US Deathcore juggernauts The Acacia Strain. Once again, the band were extremely tight from the get go, bringing more insane energy into the crowd. Incredibly consistent through every aspect and every track of their career spanning set, they were once again a brilliant choice for this tour, setting the tone beautifully for the things to come. Vocalist Vincent Bennet, the only remaining original member of the group, showcased his insane talent throughout, playing well with the backing vocals from Guitarist Devin Shidaker, as well as with the feature from Desolated Vocalist Tony Evans. The entire band cannot be overlooked, with each member playing perfectly, providing an amazing tone and energy. Simply put, they were absolutely phenomenal.
Finally, we get to headliners Paleface Swiss. Once again, they were incredibly tight in their performance from the outset, showing a raw energy that many bands struggle to hone. Despite being the newest band on the bill, formed in 2017, a decade after Desolated and sixteen years after The Acacia Strain, they were just as cohesive a unit, with a stage presence that would absolutely blow you away.
Vocalist Marc Zellweger is an absolute powerhouse, and had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the moment he stepped on stage, and with help from Guitarist Yannick Lehmann, Drummer Cassiano Toma (the newest member of the group), and Bassist Tommy Lee (no, not THAT Tommy Lee), they provided a 13 track set that was absolute, unadulterated carnage from opener 'Hatred' to the closing 'Love Burns'. Each member brought a unique energy to the set that culminated in what can only be described as phenomenal, all seemingly without breaking a sweat, showing an almost effortless talent.
I firmly believe that, with this momentum, in a couple of years you will see Paleface Swiss at the top of the bill of numerous festivals. And you can quote me on that.
Review - Gordon Rae
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