PALEFACE SWISS: From DIY Beginnings To Global Metal Domination

Interview by Angela Croudace
When 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/



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