Swiss death metal unit Defaced proudly announce the release of their long-awaited third studio album “Icon”, set for release on January 30th, 2026, via Massacre Records. The album will be available as Mediabook CD, limited Vinyl LP, and digital, delivering 41 minutes of precise, punishing and atmospheric extreme metal.
Alongside the album announcement, the band unleash the first single and music video for “Culling the Herd”, a short, violent, high-energy blast that captures the essence of the new record. Written during an intense one-day session, the track pushes Defaced’s aggression to the limit, fusing influences from modern extremity with their trademark mix of death metal, grindcore intensity and black metal aesthetics.
Guitarist Marco Kessi comments: “‘Culling The Herd’ was written to be pure, concentrated energy. We wanted a track that hits instantly, with no buildup – just impact. It represents the Icon’s merciless mindset: eliminate weakness, eradicate resistance, and push forward at all costs”.
Watch the official video for “Culling the Herd” below.
“Culling the Herd” represents the worldview of the album’s central figure – the oppressive ruler at the heart of “Icon”’s conceptual narrative. Anyone who slows progress or dares to resist the regime is eliminated without hesitation. With its relentless pace and ferocious delivery, the track is destined to become a live favorite and an immediate statement of intent for this new era of Defaced.
After years of meticulous songwriting and two complete pre-production cycles, Icon stands as the band’s proudest and most carefully constructed work to date. Defaced remained fully committed to refining every detail, rewriting and discarding material until each song matched their exact creative vision. Produced, mixed and mastered by Simon Egli and Romano Galli at Hardbeat Studio Eggiwil, the album captures the band’s raw energy with polished clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.
“Icon” also marks the first studio appearance of vocalist Thomas Gertsch, guitarist Matze Schiemann and bassist Michael Gertsch, each bringing new influences that helped shape the album’s expanded sonic palette. While firmly rooted in death metal, the record ventures into grindcore aggression, black metal atmospheres and a pronounced passion for harmonies and ambience, remaining true to the band’s DNA while pushing their sound further than ever before.
Lyrically, the album explores authoritarianism, mass surveillance and psychological manipulation from the perspective of the oppressor himself. The visual interpretation of this dystopian concept was created by acclaimed artist Par Olofsson, whose artwork perfectly reflects the record’s themes.
European Tour Dates 2026:
23.06.2026 Novi Sad
24.06.2026 Zagreb
25.06.2026 Ljubljana
26.06.2026 Remptemdorrf
27.06.2026 Vicenza
28.06.2026 Bologna
29.06.2026 Torino
13.09.2026 CZ Zelenice, IL Fest
Line-up:
Thomas Gertsch – Vocals
Massimiliano Malvassora – Drums
Marco Kessi – Guitars, Backing vocals
Matze Schiemann – Guitars
Michael Gertsch – Bass
Weblinks:
www.defaced.ch
www.facebook.com/defacedswiss
