Swiss beatdown hardcore heavyweights Paleface Swiss kicked off the opening night of their Europe & UK 2026 tour in devastating fashion at The Academy, Dublin on January 12th, delivering a night of pure sonic violence that left the venue drenched in sweat and adrenaline. Supported by California melodic hardcore stalwarts Stick To Your Guns & English rock band Static Dress (no photos as at the last mintue they didnt allow photos), the show was a masterclass in controlled chaos across hardcore’s many brutal shades.
Stick To Your Guns wasted no time in igniting the crowd during their tight 30-minute, eight-song set, immediately working the room into a frenzy. Tracks like “What Choice Did You Give Us?”, “Spineless”, and “Against Them All” landed with venomous precision, their signature blend of metalcore heft and melodic hardcore urgency resonating strongly with the Dublin audience. Though concise, the set felt purposeful and confrontational, setting the tone perfectly for the night ahead and ensuring the crowd was already primed for impact long before the headliners appeared.
By the time Paleface Swiss were ready to take the stage, The Academy had transformed into a pressure cooker. Drummer Cassiano “Cassi” Toma emerged first, taking centre stage to welcome the crowd before moving behind the drum kit, moments later joined by the rest of the band. From that point on, restraint was abandoned entirely. Opening with “I Am a Cursed One”, Paleface Swiss launched into a brutal assault on the senses, their beatdown infused deathcore sound hitting with overwhelming force.
The intensity escalated rapidly. By the end of the third track, “…and with hope you’ll be damned”, a relentless stream of crowd-surfing bodies surged over the barrier, transforming the front of the venue into organised mayhem. The band fed off the chaos, delivering crushing performances of “Best Before: Death”, “Enough?”, and “Let Me Sleep”, each track hitting hard and fast with bone shattering breakdowns and venomous vocals.
Across their seventeen song set, the floor rarely rested. When bodies weren’t flying overhead, the crowd was consumed by circle pits and walls of death, keeping security constantly on their toes. Credit must be given to the venue staff, who handled the onslaught professionally, ensuring everyone made it safely over the barrier while allowing the energy to remain unfiltered and authentic.
Closing with “Please End Me”, Paleface Swiss left absolutely nothing behind. Both band and crowd stood united in exhaustion, sweat-soaked and exhilarated, with no doubt lingering that this was a night of pure deathcore bliss. As tour openers go, Dublin received something truly special a violent, cathartic reminder of why Paleface Swiss continue to be one of the most punishing live acts in modern hardcore.
Stick To Your Guns photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Diamond
What Choice Did You Give Us?
Such Pain
Invisible Rain
Spineless
Amber
Against Them All
Nobody
Paleface Swiss photos & set-list:
Set-list:
I Am a Cursed One
Hatred
…and with hope you’ll be damned
Nail to the Tooth
Withering Flower
Best Before: Death
The Orphan
Everything Is Fine
The Rats
Enough?
The Gallow
My Blood On Your Hands
Let Me Sleep
River of Sorrows
Instrument of War
Love Burns
Please End Me
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic