Album Review: Cursed by Paleface Swiss

Release date: 3/1/25

Genre: deathcore, nu-metalcore

Buckle the fuck up, everyone! I will be brutally honest about the latest album by the Swiss cheese geezers. 

So, the Swiss cheese geezas are getting personal in the latest album with a variety of genres. They kick off with a spine-chilling intro in Spanish, which translates to: A Poor Boy Died then transitions into something merciless, Hatred; it's giving classic Slipknot vibes! Zelli's (vocalist) iconic rapping and that laughter of silence. Gotta love them brutal blast beats at the beginning of the song, Don't You Ever Stop and yes, don't you ever stop those beautiful blast beats, Cassi Toma! And Zelli, don't you ever stop rapping! The song gives out Kublai Khan TX, I dig! 🤘🤘🤘

What I like about the concept of the album is that each song represents a flower, along with the message behind every song. Hence, the album cover shows the band lying on top of colourful flowers. For example, Youth Decay is represented by the flower chrysanthemum, which most likely signifies longevity and endurance. I won't lie, this song hit me pretty hard because it is relevant. Adulting sucks! 

River of Sorrows is the final song of the album. This song will make your heart sink and cry because of how raw this song is. The tone of this track is slow, melodic and emotional! Again, I won't lie, this song made me cry and I'm sure those who have heard this song must have started crying just like these emotional episodes on Pokémon. 

Personally, I prefer the older Paleface Swiss songs but I'm going to give this album a 7/10. It's neither bad nor good, it's just that I'm not used to this sound. I was hoping the album would have the same vibe as songs such as The Gallow, Please End Me and Dead Man's Diary. I was hoping for more breakdowns. I just find it hard to like this album, even though there are a few songs that I like. But anyway, music is like Marmite...either love it or hate it!

Instagram: @palefaceswiss

Songs I recommend: Hatred, Don't You Ever Stop

For fans of: Slipknot, Kublai Khan TX

EP Review: Menticide

Album: Menticide
Release date: 18/4/25

 Ladies & Djentlemen (See what I did there? Haha), Nu-metalcore is the new black. Derby lads Simbulis recently released an EP, Menticide and boy, we're all in for a big treat! Let's turn it up to eleven!

Menticide: The methodical effort to weaken and destroy a person's values & beliefs. Anoki (vocals) warms up by breathing into the mic. I believe Menticide is one of their strongest songs on the EP because of the powerful lyrics, which we can all resonate with. So raw, so passionate! The crispy guitar riffs will give you goosebumps; it feels like Articuno is using Ice Beam. I can hear a little bit of Guilt Trip (hardcore band from Manchester, also great) and a little bit of Alpha Wolf (Australian nu-metalcore band I also recommend listening to). 

The New Antitode is an absolute banger! The beginning of the track reminds me of Casanova by Thornhill, but the song ain't about chasing someone who ain't possible to be your lover *chuckles* 

Smooth clean vocals with beautiful guitar riffs *chef's kiss* I could imagine this song being performed in future gigs, most likely to get the mosh pit on fire (not literally, that would be tragic). The music video for this song shows the lads performing and unapologetically being themselves as they should. As you all know, at every gig, when the headlining band is almost over, you'll get fans chanting 'one more song'. 

Oh boy, Aura goes fucking hard! The delivery of the song doesn't beat around the bush. Fantastic vocals and phenomenal rhythm. These guys have evolved as a band (yep, I'm using a Pokémon reference here because Pokémon is awesome!). 

I'm going to give this EP a 10/10 because:

• They have put so much dedication into this EP
• Great lyricism in each song they've written

That's all I can say! Make sure you check the EP out on Apple Music or Spotify, and for more updates, you can follow them on Instagram: @simbulisuk

Songs I recommend: The New Antidote, Meticide

For fans of: Guilt Trip, Deftones, Thornhill, Landmvrks