Swiss death metal unit DEFACED return with their second single “Anthem Of Vermin”, taken from their upcoming third studio album “Icon”, set for release on February 12th, 2026 via Massacre Records.

Following the explosive impact of the first single “Culling The Herd”, “Anthem Of Vermin” dives deeper into the oppressive and dystopian world at the core of “Icon”. As the longest and most multifaceted track on the album, the song showcases the full scope of DEFACED’s extreme metal vision – blending relentless death metal aggression, grinding intensity, and evocative black metal atmospheres into one uncompromising statement.

Musically, “Anthem Of Vermin” opens with harmonized riffing over fast double-kick assaults before shifting into crushing grooves and a powerful mid-section steeped in black metal darkness. The track culminates in a dramatic structure that highlights both the band’s technical precision and their passion for atmosphere, crowned by a striking guitar solo by Matze Schiemann.

Lyrically, the song represents a key chapter in “Icon”s conceptual narrative. “Anthem Of Vermin” focuses on the faceless masses – stripped of identity, education and free will – reduced to expendable tools serving an authoritarian regime. Disposable, replaceable, and ultimately insignificant in the eyes of the “Icon,” they exist only to sustain the empire until their final breath.

Guitarist Marco Kessi comments:
“‘Anthem Of Vermin’ is the track that truly represents everything DEFACED stands for today. It’s brutal, atmospheric, dynamic, and uncompromising. If you want to understand ‘Icon’ in a single song, this is it.”

Stream the song HERE: https://save-it.cc/massacre/anthem-of-vermin

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 Pär Olofsson, whose artwork perfectly reflects the record’s themes.

DEFACED live:

13.02.2026 CH Burgdorf – Saegegasse release show with Hour of Penance, Thy Gnosis, Shallow Descent
06.06.2026 CH Basel at Valhalla Club with Godless

European tour – venues TBA

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

DEFACED are:
Thomas Gertsch – Vocals
Massimiliano Malvassora – Drums
Marco Kessi – Guitars, Backing vocals
Matze Schiemann – Guitars
Michael Gertsch – Bass

DEFACED online:
https://www.defaced.ch/
https://www.facebook.com/defacedswiss
https://www.instagram.com/defaced_swiss/

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 “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.”

Stream the song HERE: https://save-it.cc/massacre/culling-the-herd

“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 Pär Olofsson, whose artwork perfectly reflects the record’s themes.

DEFACED will support the release of Icon with a 2026 European tour:

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

DEFACED are:
Thomas Gertsch – Vocals
Massimiliano Malvassora – Drums
Marco Kessi – Guitars, Backing vocals
Matze Schiemann – Guitars
Michael Gertsch – Bass

DEFACED online:
https://www.defaced.ch/
https://www.facebook.com/defacedswiss
https://www.instagram.com/defaced_swiss/