Paleface Swiss | Northcote Theatre
Switzerland’s deathcore heavyweights Paleface Swiss have officially touched down in Australia for their debut headline tour, joined by Belgium’s hardcore punk crew Nasty. Their first Melbourne stop took place at the well-established Northcote Theatre on September 5th, following explosive shows in Perth and Adelaide earlier in the week. With that reputation already building, Melbourne fans knew exactly what they were in for, which was chaos in its purest form. Even the venue staff were quick to warn on entry: this was going to be a wild night.
Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
Opening the Melbourne show were local favourites LUNE, a band that seem to never slow down. Less than two weeks ago they were supporting Northlane on the Victorian leg of the All Over Australia tour, and yet here they were again, throwing everything they had into the stage. Wherever you catch them, LUNE always deliver.
Their energy was off the charts, constantly pulling the crowd in and setting the perfect tone for the night ahead. Fan favourites like Ghost and Left Behind had the room moving, while a track they’ve been teasing across recent shows – their upcoming single All I Am – proved a highlight. If the live response is anything to go by, that release is going to hit hard.
As openers, they couldn’t have set the bar any higher, the venue was already buzzing before Nasty and Paleface even touched the stage.
Next up were Belgium’s own Nasty, and for me they were a real head-turner (and headbanger). I’ll admit I hadn’t dived too deeply into their discography before the show, but I left genuinely astounded by the sheer stage presence and control they commanded. Their attitude was pure “let your hair down” chaos: unapologetic, untamed, and completely in your face. They did what they wanted, they stood on business, and they made damn sure everyone in the room knew it.
Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
This being their first time touring Australia, Nasty made sure to leave a lasting impression. It wasn’t just me they won over, judging by the crowd’s reaction, they’ll be remembered across every stop of this tour for the way they carried themselves on stage. From vocalist Matthias Tarnath climbing onto the barricade to connect with fans, to then dropping bursts of motivation between songs, Nasty knew exactly how to work the room. They absolutely knocked it out of the park, and if this tour is anything to go by, their return can’t come soon enough.
Paleface are a band I’ve been itching to see for years, and after missing their last visit supporting In Hearts Wake on the Incarnation tour, the wait was more than worth it. Experiencing them for the first time on their debut Australian headliner at Northcote Theatre felt like the perfect payoff.
As the lights dimmed, the band – Marc “Zelli” Zellweger (vocals), Yannick Lehmann (guitar), Tommy Lee (bass), and Cassiano “Cassi” Toma (drums) – emerged into an eerie ambience. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, and when the strobes kicked in, Paleface wasted no time, tearing straight into Hatred. It was a wild move to open with, instantly throwing the 1,400-strong crowd into a frenzy and setting the tone for the chaos that would follow.
From then on, the energy never dipped. Zelli proved to be one of the most charismatic frontmen in heavy music — joking, dancing, and chatting with the crowd at every opportunity while still delivering crushing vocals. His gratitude for the band’s journey shone through in every exchange, especially when he shared the story of meeting a fan who had flown all the way from Japan just to see them. Mid-set, the band handed him a setlist and a guitar pick, a simple gesture that earned a roar of applause and perfectly captured the tight-knit spirit of the metal community.
The set itself was relentless: Nail the Tooth turned into a rowdy call-and-response, Love Burns opened a circle pit that nearly swallowed the theatre, and River of Sorrows had fans on shoulders screaming every word. Synchronised spin-kicks, endless waves of crowd surfers, and Zelli leaning over to high-five fans as they came over the barrier only added to the madness. Even when mic troubles forced a quick swap, the momentum never faltered.
Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
After the set, Zelli went to the effort of climbing onto the barricade to shake hands and hug as many people as he could reach. Watching it all unfold was genuinely wholesome, a moment of connection after so much relentlessness. Paleface showed how this scene can be pure madness and pure community all at once. It was a night that proved heavy music at its loudest can also be its most human.