PALEFACE SWISS: From DIY Beginnings To Global Metal Domination

Interview by Angela CroudaceWhen Cursed hit number seven on the Spotify global charts, Paleface Swiss didn't just make a statement — they detonated it into the metal world. For guitarist Yannick Lehmann, the milestone still feels surreal. "It's unbelievable. We're completely DIY, no label, nothing — so to see that kind of success is mind-blowing," he says.Formed in 2018 as a local Swiss act, Paleface Swiss quickly built momentum in the hardcore beatdown scene before COVID shut the world down. Instead of stalling, the band doubled down, writing two albums and teasing songs online. Their audience was ready and hungry by the time live shows returned.Switzerland may be known for peace and neutrality, but Paleface Swiss are proud to represent the country's heavier side. "We love being the hardest band from our country," Yannick laughs. Yet the journey wasn't straightforward. Yannick initially joined as a studio guitarist, unsure about committing full-time. Fast forward to 2025, and he's now a full-time musician, having traded carpentry for crushing riffs.With its raw, live-ready sound, Cursed was born under sunny skies in Spain's Canary Islands, with palm trees, a pool, and nightly darts championships. "We had the time of our lives making it," Yannick recalls. "When we write, we write to play live — raw and powerful." That live energy translates into ferocious shows, whether it's sweaty clubs or on massive festival stages.Australian fans, he says, match the wild energy of U.S. crowds, with memories of wheelchair crowd-surfing standing out. This September, the band returns to Australia, bringing friends and early inspirations Nasty along for the ride — a full-circle moment for a band heavily inspired by them in their formative years.Paleface Swiss' Influences range from metal titans Judas Priest and Iron Maiden to Slipknot, hardcore heavyweights, and even dubstep and hip-hop. That genre-blending spirit gives Cursed unexpected textures without losing its bone-crushing core.Off stage, Yannick stays grounded, valuing personal connections with fans over rock-star distance. And while a mandatory stint in Swiss military service looms after the tour, there's minimal downtime in sight. "We never rest," he says. "There's always something to do."With their relentless drive and genre-defying edge, Paleface Swiss aren't just rewriting the rules for heavy music in Switzerland; they're smashing them to pieces globally. This Aussie run of shows is one you don't wanna miss! Tickets: https://thephoenix.au/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.