Image: Paleface Swiss [Official Press Photo]
Paleface Swiss are currently the band of the moment – no wonder fans are drawing comparisons to legendary names like Slipknot. But how much truth is there to this comparison? Can these two bands even be compared at all? We’ve delved deeper into both to find out.
History and Influence
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Slipknot: Founded in 1995 in Des Moines, Iowa, Slipknot revolutionized Nu-Metal. Their unique masks, chaotic live shows, and complex compositions have earned them cult status. Albums like Iowa and Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) are milestones in the genre and continue to inspire countless musicians today.
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Paleface Swiss: Formed in Zurich in 2017, Paleface Swiss quickly made a name for themselves in the hardcore and deathcore scene. They stand out with raw energy, brutal breakdowns, uncompromising lyrics, and a modern evolution of hardcore music.
Musical Style
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Slipknot: Slipknot blends Nu-Metal, Heavy Metal, Industrial, and Hardcore elements. They mix melodic parts, such as in "Snuff", with aggressive tracks like "People = Shit". Their use of additional instruments like percussion and samples adds a unique dimension to their sound.
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Paleface Swiss: The Swiss band moves between beatdown hardcore, deathcore, and metalcore and is particularly known for their relentless breakdowns and aggressive lyrics. Unlike Slipknot, they relied exclusively on raw intensity and modern production techniques for a long time. Only recently have they integrated typical nu-metal elements such as rap or melodic vocals into their sound, without losing their intense and uncompromising attitude.
Stage Performance and Image
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Slipknot: Slipknot is globally renowned for their iconic masks, which represent each era and member individually. Their live shows are intense experiences featuring fire, elaborate stage elements, and light and fog effects that create an immersive and captivating atmosphere, visually amplifying their music’s unique character.
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Paleface Swiss: Paleface Swiss intentionally forgo masks and theatricality. Their live shows are raw, direct, and high-energy – a hallmark of the hardcore scene. The focus is entirely on the music and connecting with the crowd.
Reception and Significance
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Slipknot: With millions of albums sold, Grammy awards, and sold-out tours, Slipknot is one of the most influential metal bands in the world. Their music appeals to a broad audience, from hardcore metalheads to mainstream listeners. Boasting an impressive 13 million monthly Spotify listeners, Slipknot continues to cement their status as global metal icons.
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Paleface Swiss: As an emerging band, Paleface Swiss has made a significant impact in just eight years. They’ve gained a loyal following, particularly in the underground scene, for their uncompromising energy and down-to-earth approach. With over a million monthly Spotify listeners, they’ve proven they can hold their own and garner attention far beyond the hardcore niche.
Inspiration and Influences
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It’s no secret that Slipknot is one of the biggest inspirations for Paleface Swiss. Zelli, the band’s vocalist, confirmed this in an interview:
"Since Slipknot is our main inspiration, you can basically connect almost everything to them."
This influence is evident in the eerie intros both bands use. For instance, Paleface Swiss’s album Fear & Dagger opens with a dark intro titled "666", reminiscent of Slipknot’s atmosphere while still maintaining its own modern twist.
Paleface Swiss: 666
Slipknot: 742617000027
Fan Opinions and Online Discussions
Fans passionately discuss the parallels between the two bands online. On the subreddit r/Deathcore, a lively debate unfolded:
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AlexNejez wrote:
”Besides some breakdowns, what's the difference? With every new release, they're just more of a Slipknot rip. Am I crazy? Not saying they're bad, just brutally unoriginal at points. Would love some opinions. Example: Best Before Death. I mean come on....." -
EducationalShock6312 sees things differently:
”Slipknot without mainstream success and Halloween masks, would have stayed focused on being one of the most brutal bands on the planet...so to me Paleface Swiss is the promise of Slipknot's self titled album continued.” -
ASweetLilKitten sums it up perfectly:
“They're Slipknot if Slipknot was a beatdown band. That's what they are.
And it's absolutely awesome. Don't look too far into it; you'll enjoy them more.”
Conclusion: Two Paths, One Passion
The comparison between Slipknot and Paleface Swiss highlights how metal bands can shape their niches in unique ways. Slipknot, as global Nu-Metal icons, celebrates the 25th anniversary of their debut album in 2025, solidifying their place in metal history. Meanwhile, Paleface Swiss is bringing fresh energy to the hardcore and deathcore scene, perfectly capturing the zeitgeist of modern metal.
Slipknot has moved beyond their initial hype to establish themselves as a staple in the genre, while Paleface Swiss continues to rise, invigorating the scene and redefining expectations.
Who’s the “better” band ultimately depends on personal taste, but both demonstrate how diverse and dynamic the metal world can be, even in 2025.
Paleface Swiss at the Impericon Festival 2025
Paleface Swiss will also be performing at this year’s Impericon Festival! If you don’t want to miss them or our 20th-anniversary celebration, grab your ticket now for one of the most spectacular events of the year!
