Swiss death metal band DEFACED returns with their second single, „Anthem Of Vermin,“ taken from their third studio album, Icon, which will be released on February 12, 2026, via Massacre Records.
Following the explosive success of the first single, „Culling The Herd,“ „Anthem Of Vermin“ delves even deeper into the oppressive and dystopian world that forms the core of „Icon.“ As the longest and most multifaceted track on the album, the song showcases the full spectrum of DEFACED’s extreme metal vision—a blend of relentless death metal aggression, grinding intensity, and haunting black metal atmospheres that merge into an uncompromising statement.
Musically, „Anthem Of Vermin“ begins with harmonious riffs over fast double-kick attacks before transitioning into devastating grooves and a powerful middle section imbued with black metal gloom. 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 from Matze Schiemann.
Lyrically, the song represents a key chapter in the conceptual narrative of „Icon.“ „Anthem Of Vermin“ focuses on the faceless masses—deprived of their identity, education, and free will—who have been degraded to expendable tools of an authoritarian regime. Disposable, interchangeable, and ultimately insignificant in the eyes of the „Icon,“ they exist only to uphold the empire until their last 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.“
You can stream the song here: https://save-it.cc/massacre/anthem-of-vermin
After years of meticulous songwriting and two complete pre-production cycles, „Icon“ is the band’s most comprehensive and carefully crafted work to date. DEFACED has devoted itself entirely to refining every detail, rewriting and discarding material until each song perfectly matched their 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 new sense of purpose.
„Icon“ also marks the first studio appearance of singer Thomas Gertsch, guitarist Matze Schiemann, and bassist Michael Gertsch, each of whom brings new influences that have contributed to shaping the album’s expanded sonic palette. While firmly rooted in death metal, the album also ventures into grindcore aggression, black metal atmospheres, and a pronounced passion for harmonies and ambient sounds, remaining true to the band’s DNA and pushing their sound further than ever before.
Lyrically, the album deals with authoritarianism, mass surveillance, and psychological manipulation from the perspective of the oppressor itself. The visual interpretation of this dystopian concept comes from renowned artist Pär Olofsson, whose artwork perfectly reflects the themes of the album.
DEFACED live:
February 13, 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
06/23/2026 Novi Sad
06/24/2026 Zagreb
06/25/2026 Ljubljana
06/26/2026 Remptemdorrf
06/27/2026 Vicenza
06/28/2026 Bologna
06/29/2026 Turin
09/13/2026 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: