Paleface – Fear & Dagger
Release Date: 25th March 2022
Label: Self-Released
Stream/Order
Genre: Deathcore, Slam Death, Down-tempo, Beatdown, Hardcore.
FFO: Bodysnatcher, Traitors, Bound In Fear, Spite, Filth.
Review By: Mike Leighton
Paleface, Switzerland’s fastest growing deathcore band! An insane mixture of ingenuity and brutality, Paleface are quickly taking the globe by storm with their newest release, Fear & Dagger, releasing on March 25th. Paleface, originating in Zurich back in 2017, have quickly made a name for themselves in the deathcore/beatdown crucible. So far, the gents in Paleface have 2 EPs and 1 full-length under their belt, and if this new album is any indication of their potential, the force is strong with this one! These past releases have included Chapter 1: The Gallows (EP) in 2018, Chapter 2: Witch King (EP) in 2019, and then Chapter 3: The Last Selection (LP) in 2020.
With this album, Paleface have chosen to focus on more applicable topics in today’s world, one being mental health. Along with the more mature themes, they have quest features from bands like Justice For The Damned, Traitors, and Landmvrks! With that, there is one other guest appearance of note, a die-hard Paleface fan, and someone diagnosed with schizophrenia who not only recorded his own vocals on this album but gave the band a unique insider view into the ailment. On that note, let’s jump into the album.
Fear & Dagger begins with 666. This track is a dark, and very heavy introduction to Fear & Dagger, and quite possibly hard for some fans to hear. It’s an entirely spoken track, through the voice of the aforementioned fan diagnosed with schizophrenia. As one can guess, he is struggling with his inner voices telling him to do things he doesn’t want to do: repeating themselves repeatedly. This continues for the majority of the track, ending with our vocalist, Zellweger, screaming “pain” into the listener’s ears, almost as if they were actually ringing in pain. Setting up an almost seamless bridge between the first and second track, aptly named “Pain.” Pain begins with an all-out attack on the listener’s senses as we get our first real taste of Marc (Zelli) Zellweger’s absolutely devastating vocal assault. This track is a fast and brutal chug-fest in all the best ways; giving the fans everything they have come to know and love from Paleface.
Next, the track Suppressing Times opens, and it is bouncy, loud, and heavy. Throughout we are presented with downtempo guitars that are a really nice touch, but nothing new from these gentlemen! Zelli’s quick, almost rap-like, vocal delivery is quite the refreshing and unique for this genre, and he excels at it. Make A Deal With The Devil is a fast track littered with bombastic drum fills that only help highlight the grand sound Paleface have created, a sound that, at live shows, is bound to shake the very ground their fans stand on. From what I could hear, this track presents a heavy critique on those who have strong religious beliefs, and how, to some, it can paint a sour picture if they don’t hold up.
“The only ******* thing that’s not natural is your stupid religion ‘cause it’s made up by human ******* hands”
You can really feel the anger, the disappointment.
Deathtouch is the lead single, and one of my favorites: aggressive, heavy, and lyrically mature. Zelli’s vocals are on point throughout. This track really shows where this band has come in such a short time and paints a promising picture for their future in the deathcore genre. Lyrically, it seems this track focuses on the internal struggle people face, and in this case the main protagonist who quite possibly has voices telling him to, sadly, end his own life, even if he doesn’t want to. It further highlights the struggle between good and evil that humans face daily, whether it be on the outside, or in this case, inside his own mind. Through the lyrics, it is very clear that his only outlet is through aggression and pain. Taking it out on others in hope he can soothe himself if just for a moment, furthering a cycle of violence.
Nail To The Tooth follows, and it’s just as aggressive and in your face as the rest! A heavy and mosh worthy track. Dead Man’s Diary is another fantastic track. Painting a picture of someone trying hard to forget his past, but someone (his own mind) preventing that through a diary. This furthers the theme of mental health, as much of the album does, but focuses on the possible effects of schizophrenia and just how strong the other voices can be. God Looks The Other Way is another angry track with some great guitar riffs and drum fills and had my feet tapping the entire time. Once again, it can only be assumed that this song focuses more on the religious aspect of things. Regardless, it is an awesome song with a mini solo at the end of the track. Bravo Paleface!
The next song, Chaos Theory, is easily one of my favorite tracks so far. This album itself is Chaos Theory incarnate, and for those not entirely familiar with the concept, it is:
“A branch of mathematics that deals with complex systems whose behavior is highly sensitive to slight changes in conditions, so that small alterations can give rise to strikingly great consequences.”
Eerily relevant to the concept of mental health. Hmm…almost like that was planned. Chaos Theory features the vocalist of heavy hitters, and long-time deathcore act, Traitors. When his part comes in, it is absolutely crushing, and quite a destructive force. Didn’t think this song could get heavier, and oh boy did Paleface prove me wrong. The Orphan is our next track. Big picture here, mental health is something very prevalent today and important because it can feel very much like an inescapable prison. This song really highlights that fact. Midway through the guitars really shine, and Yannick Lehmann really shows his prowess not only with the riffs he has created but with the effects he utilizes throughout, you just have to listen for them!
My Grave Lay With Me, probably one of my most favorite songs just for its uniqueness and raw emotion (when compared to the other songs). The intro to this track is very heavy, but in a more lyrical sense. It sounds quite unique as it starts with someone (presumably our vocalist) riffing followed by an almost rap-like beat. This was a breath of fresh air! I would never have expected this from Paleface, but I am even more of a fan because of it. A standout track as it really shows the growth that the band has gone through in such a short time since their inception, and that they’re not afraid to venture outside their comfort zone. From the guitars to the drums, the vocals both screamed and sung, it was a very heartfelt track with a lot of soul. No Room Left In Hell starts with an awesome guitar solo, one that had an almost old school feel to it before leading into the Paleface we have grown to love. Fear & Dagger, the title track, starts with spoken vocals and an almost elegant guitar riff; reminiscent of older metalcore. It has a minor melodic feel to it, and it plays quite a central role within the song. Overall, a fantastic track and one I wish would’ve closed out the album. Nonetheless, Judgement Day, almost a pt. II to Fear & Dagger, showcased everything previously heard from Paleface in almost 7 minutes of savagery and destruction!
Emotion, and quite often anger, is at the forefront of this album; so much that it oozes from Zelli’s vocal delivery and is brought to an entirely new level by the musical composition presented by the rest of the band. This anger is not your typical anger; it’s an anger and disappointment with humanity for letting down those seen as lesser beings, those with mental and physical health issues. The forgotten. Paleface have crafted something very special with this album. Fear & Dagger as it’s presented can be seen as an almost tangible form of the emotions presented. It is an album that is bound to help people who struggle with anger, depression, and other mental health issues.
Speaking from experience, dark thoughts, depression, and pain are not something to look down upon, and it only hurts worse when you feel like the world looks down on you for something completely out of your control. Not only does this album focus on the problems people with mental health issues face from other people, as well as the higher powers they believe in. Those who might believe that their higher powers also look down on them for these problems; that they have been forsaken. Fear & Dagger struck a chord with me, and I really connected on a level I did not expect as far as deathcore goes. For a deathcore/hardcore album, the length alone is astounding. Paleface’s latest effort, Fear & Dagger, clocks in right around 65 minutes! Ultimately, I really loved this alum and what it stands for.
On that note, if you’re struggling, please reach out to those who love you. Never, ever be afraid to ask for help! It may be the hardest thing you could think to do, but it is worth it.
It was the greatest thing I ever did.
You are loved; you are enough.
(5 / 5)
