Zurich’s @palefaceswiss made their second “St. Louis stop” @popsrocksstl in fabulous Sauget, Illinois. Despite their heavier-than-heavier sound, belly-rumbling bass sonics, and pulverizing sound, this is a band of kind, neutral, and positive imports.
The younger collection of hardcore metal fans–both dudes and dudettes, came in from the rain to witness the reign of metal core’s latest sensation, the Zurich-minted hard-hitting quartet of @palefaceswiss–vocalist Marc “Zelli” Zellweger, guitarist Yannick Lehmann, bassist Tommy Lee, and drummer Cassiano “Cassi” Toma.
Since 2017, the band has released three full-length albums, including 2025’s album Cursed, two EPs, and countless singles, and has toured relentlessly across Europe and North America.
The young band and their jovial and engaging singer, Marc “Zelli” Zellweger, were sincere, intense, entertaining, and generous. He spent just as much time tearing it up as joking with the crowd and even getting deadly serious about the subject of suicide and loneliness. In between encouraging the opening of a significant mosh pit, he also lamented losing friends to suicide and admonished the crowd to take care of people.
At another point in the show, he kissed drummer Cassiana Toma, full and deep on the mouth. He said if that shocked anyone in the crowd, they could leave. No one did. If anything, the pit and macho displays of body slamming ramped up another degree. This was a welcoming tribe of heavy metal fans, and the music was all that mattered.
There were approximately two hours of music, including 14 songs: “My Blood On Your Hands,” “The Gallow,” and “Pain.” The bass thundered and rumbled up inside your belly, and the lights bathed the audience in a blue and purple glow and went from blinding to tranquil, much like the band’s music. #palefaceswiss
