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Charm is one of the stranger forms of social currency, because its value depends on everybody agreeing, for a moment, to overlook the arithmetic. The charmer gets the favour, the second chance; somebody else absorbs the cost. On It Always Comes to Me, the final advance single from Black Marble’s Life in Small Spaces, Chris Stewart studies that transaction with the detached curiosity of someone watching a confidence game unfold across a crowded room.

“It Always Comes to Me is about a cool, calm, collected person who seems to always be able to get away with things other people can’t, either by charm or deceit,” says Stewart. “Like a modern version of The Kinks’ Dedicated Follower of Fashion, the song doesn’t explicitly advocate for or condemn this kind of behaviour, but takes a birds eye view of it as the protagonist moves through the world. Ultimately, it leaves it up to the listener to judge for themselves. The subject of the song seems to be having fun but can it last? And how much does our judgement really matter either way?”

Stewart’s subject has mistaken self-preservation for a philosophy, treating other people as scenery in a private campaign of convenience…yet each successful escape removes another beam from the structure holding a person among others. Isolation is built one victory at a time.

Bass and guitar carry more weight here than Black Marble’s older walls of synthesizers, giving the song the warmth of musicians occupying shared space. Stewart has described the album’s new guitar language as an attempt to “create this chime-y hypnotic quality. Like a radio dial that is between two stations.” The image suits a record concerned with people caught between versions of themselves, transmitting confidence while a less flattering signal bleeds through.

Claes Nordwall’s video places Stewart in New York, drifting through subways, bridges, basketball courts, and pool halls with an ease that mirrors the song’s central figure. “I was drawn to the idea of a character moving through the modern world on his own timeline,” says Nordwall. “While everything around him races forward, he remains quietly rooted in who he is. I was inspired by Chris’s ideas behind the album which made me think of the dry stoicism of Aki Kaurismäki’s films. I wanted to make something that celebrates resilience, character and the beauty of refusing to chase the next thing.”

The result is a tender snapshot of modern day city life in the Big Apple, which, ironically, feels timeless, as if filmed thirty years ago.  The irony remains unresolved. A person moving at his own pace may be independent, deluded, enviable, or alone. Stewart leaves the verdict open, while the song quietly asks what remains when getting away with everything finally means having nobody left to fool.

Watch the video for It Always Comes to Me below:

Life in Small Spaces is out August 21st on Sacred Bones. Pre-order here.

Black Marble Tour Dates:

• Saturday, August 22 — Santa Ana, CA — Constellation Room at the Observatory
• Sunday, August 23 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
• Tuesday, August 25 — San Francisco, CA — Rickshaw Stop
• Wednesday, August 26 — Sacramento, CA — Harlow’s
• Friday, August 28 — Seattle, WA — The Crocodile
• Saturday, August 29 — Portland, OR — Wonder Ballroom
• Sunday, August 30 — Boise, ID — Shrine Social Club
• Monday, August 31 — Salt Lake City, UT — Urban Lounge
• Tuesday, September 1 — Denver, CO — The Federal Theatre
• Thursday, September 3 — Omaha, NE — Slowdown
• Friday, September 4 — Minneapolis, MN — Fine Line
• Saturday, September 5 — Chicago, IL — Thalia Hall
• Sunday, September 6 — Detroit, MI — El Club
• Monday, September 7 — Toronto, ON — Lee’s Palace
• Tuesday, September 8 — Montreal, QC — La Sala Rosa
• Thursday, September 10 — New York City, NY — Webster Hall
• Friday, September 11 — Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer
• Saturday, September 12 — Baltimore, MD — Ottobar
• Monday, September 14 — Raleigh, NC — Kings
• Tuesday, September 15 — Atlanta, GA — The Earl
• Thursday, September 17 — Houston, TX — White Oak Music Hall Upstairs
• Friday, September 18 — Dallas, TX — Club Dada
• Saturday, September 19 — Austin, TX — 29th Street Ballroom

* w/ The Serfs. # w/ Public Circuit. (and Jimmy Cicero for select shows)

Featured Photo by Ashley Leahy

Follow Black Marble:

• Instagram
• Threads
• TikTok
• YouTube
• Bandcamp

The post Black Marble Keeps Calm Amidst the Clamor of NYC in Video for “It Always Comes to Me” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Bangalore .

The post Bangalore Choir to release new studio album ‘Payload’ on November 6th first appeared on Sleaze Roxx.

Narcotic Wasteland, fronted by guitarist/vocalist Dallas Toler‑Wade of NILE fame, fires the first shot of their August tour with the release of their blistering new single “Fentanyl Zombie Apocalypse.” The track arrives as the band launches the “FENTANYL ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE TOUR,” featuring select dates with support from Visitant, Monochromatic Black, IATT, and Yotuma (dates listed below).

A ferocious blend of technical precision, social commentary, and unrelenting aggression, the single stands as one of Narcotic Wasteland’s most urgent works to date, an explosive warning siren aimed at the escalating fentanyl epidemic and the societal collapse surrounding it.

Dallas Toler‑Wade comments on the new single:

“I am very excited to release our new song, Fentanyl Zombie Apocalypse! The song is, of course, about the fentanyl epidemic and the overall impact it has on an already failing country. Musically, it really captures the mood of this very well. Fast and tricky yet twisted and catchy! Kenji really brought some great bass and keys to the table. And Austin needs a drum set that won’t collapse under pressure! I am super proud of the work we have done together, and I cannot wait to show the world what we have been working on behind the scenes.”

Narcotic Wasteland continues to evolve into one of extreme metal’s most formidable units, featuring Dallas Toler‑Wade, former Nile guitarist, vocalist, and key songwriter; a defining force in technical death metal since the early ’90s. 

Austin Vicars, a high‑octane drummer known for blistering blast beats and commanding stage presence, and Kenji Tsunami, an inventive bassist whose depth, texture, and ferocity amplify the band’s overwhelming sonic assault.

Together, they deliver a live experience that is both punishing and surgically precise, an unrelenting wall of sound that has packed venues and earned critical acclaim throughout recent tours. Narcotic Wasteland has cemented its position as a dominant force in modern death metal, unleashing a volatile blend of razor‑sharp technicality, feral aggression, and raw intensity.

Their music confronts addiction, corruption, and societal collapse with unflinching honesty, powered by musicianship that continually pushes the boundaries of extreme metal. Expect a barrage of new material, explosive performances, and the full force of Narcotic Wasteland’s latest evolution.

Recommended for fans of Nile, Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Incantation, Cannibal Corpse, Dark Funeral, Immolation, and Gorguts. Listen to “Fentanyl Zombie Apocalypse” at the following links:

Spotify – https://orcd.co/fentanylzombieapocalypse

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5D7ruAX63c

FENTANYL ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE TOUR
Narcotic Wasteland – Remaining August 2026 Tour Dates | Select dates with support from Visitant, Monochromatic Black, IATT, and YOTUMA:

August 18 – Saint Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall With Visitant
August 19 – Cudahy, WI – X-Ray Arcade With Visitant and Yotuma
August 21 – Scranton, PA – The Ritz Theater With Visitant and IATT
August 22 – Wallingford, CT – Cherry Street Station With Visitant
August 23 – Lowell, MA – Taffeta Music Hall With Visitant
August 25 – Louisville, KY – Portal With Visitant
August 26 – Atlanta, GA – 529 With Monochromatic Black and Visitant
August 27 – Nashville, TN – The Cobra With Monochromatic Black and Visitant
August 28 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel of Bones With Monochromatic Black and Visitant
August 29 – Salisbury, MD – Lurking Class Skate Shop With Monochromatic Black and Visitant
August 30 – Charleston, WV – Live at the Shop With Monochromatic Black and Visitant

More info: https://linktr.ee/narcoticwasteland

Source: ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Frank Beard, the drummer of ZZ Top for the past 56 years, died on August 17 at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, surrounded by family. He was 77 and had been in hospice care.

In a statement, Billy Gibbons said: “Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”

In early August, Beard dropped out of ZZ Top’s “The Big One!” tour due to health issues, with Gibbons and bassist Elwood Francis continuing to perform, with drummer Michael Monahan filling in. Following Beard’s passing, the band announced it would cancel its August 18–19 shows in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs. The tour is set to resume August 22–23 at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas — described by the band as one of Frank’s favorite venues and a city that had long been something of a second home for him.

Beard had been a member of ZZ Top since 1970, playing on every studio album the band released, beginning with ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971. In the band’s early years, he was known by the nickname “Rube” and credited as “Rube Beard” on the first album and on Tres Hombres, though his real name appeared on Rio Grande Mud and on every subsequent release. In a longstanding irony, Beard was the only member of ZZ Top who did not have a beard — typically wearing only a mustache, though he did sport a tidy beard for a period in the 1990s.

Beard resided in Richmond, Texas, where he owned and operated the Top 40 Ranch. He was a scratch golfer, well known locally for his participation in tournaments and community events.

ZZ Top was founded by Gibbons in 1969; both Beard and longtime bassist Dusty Hill joined the following year. Hill died in July 2021 at age 72, with Francis — a longtime guitar tech and roadie for the band — taking over on bass thereafter. Beard is the second of the band’s three original members to pass away.

The post ZZ TOP Drummer FRANK BEARD Has Passed Away At 77 appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Despite his name, the ZZ Top drummer was the only band member without an iconic beard. Continue reading…

After making their live debut over the weekend, the band have seven more shows on deck.

The post Evil Island (The Blood Brothers, Etc.) Firm Up Their Fall Touring Plans appeared first on Theprp.com.

The Brazilian deathcore band will have their new album “The Pain Made Me Who I Am” out this Friday.

The post AXTY Premiere “All I Love” Music Video appeared first on Theprp.com.

The Most Underrated Christian Bands Fantasy Draft was originally published on HM Magazine by Nao Glover.

Mason is joined by his friends Justin Jones, Joe Calderon, and Jeremy Gould to do a fantasy draft of the most underrated Christian bands of all time. What Christian bands do you think are most underrated? Check out Idle Threat, The Rumors are True Podcast, become a supporter of this podcast, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker. You […]

The Most Underrated Christian Bands Fantasy Draft was originally published on HM Magazine by Nao Glover.

Gene Simmons is gonna drop an I told ya so.

The post The 2026 ‘MTV Video Music Awards’ Have Retired The ‘Best Rock’ Category appeared first on Theprp.com.

MVD Entertainment Group has locked in September 22, 2026, for the digital release of Heavy Healing, a new documentary built around dispelling old myths and putting a spotlight on the healing power of aggressive music.

Metal, hardcore and their offshoots have long been dismissed by parents, teachers and religious leaders as noise rather than music, written off as disorderly, violent and bad for young people’s health.

Reality tells a different story. Plenty of people dealing with serious illness and mental health struggles have leaned on heavy music to get them through some of the hardest stretches of their lives.

Heavy Healing gathers candid, first-person accounts from artists, fans and industry veterans, people who have turned to (or become) “controversial” musicians for inspiration while recovering from cancer, anxiety, depression, strokes, heart attacks, cerebral palsy, blood diseases, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, among other conditions.

The film features Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage), Lou Koller (Sick Of It All), Jaret Reddick (Bowling For Soup), Mike IX Williams (Eyehategod), Vinnie Stigma (Agnostic Front), Eddie “Sutton” Pomponio (Leeway), Jesse Malin (Heart Attack, D-Generation), Jimi Hazel (24-7 Spyz), Michael Alago (former A&R executive, Metallica, White Zombie), Michael “Kaves” McLeer (Lordz Of Brooklyn), Jimmy G. Drescher (Murphy’s Law), Brian “Mitts” Daniels (ex-Madball), Adam Blake (H2O), and one of the film’s makers and its inspiration, music business veteran Seth Abrams, among others.

Seth Abrams offers: “I’ve survived several severe, life-altering medical ordeals. When you strip away the doctors and family and friends’ support, it’s the music that gets you through it all. In my case, I specifically leaned on Suicidal Tendencies‘ ‘You Can’t Bring Me Down.’ Heavy Healing gives a voice to those who have relied on heavy, aggressive music to recover from any number of things, medical, emotional, or both.”

Heavy Healing director Howie Abrams adds: “As someone who has worked with underground bands for over four decades, I’ve encountered far too many musicians who are forced to cope with one disorder or another. That said, it’s incredible to see how they’ve been able to rely on the extreme music we grew up with to help them remain motivated and to recover. Our hope with the film is that others can draw just as much inspiration from the music as our interviewees have.”

About the filmmakers:

Seth Abrams has worked across the music industry, from street promotion and marketing to A&R and tour management. An aortic dissection followed by a paralyzing stroke on his left side at age 34 planted the seed that would become Heavy Healing. During the spring of 2019, Seth Abrams also went through seizures and a short-term memory-erasing brain infection, and he has leaned on recorded and live music throughout his recovery ever since.

Howie Abrams has a long history in heavy music, holding A&R, product management and music publishing roles at labels including In-Effect Records, Roadrunner Records, Jive Records/Zomba Music and Warner Chappell. He shifted his focus to books in 2013 and has since published ten, including biographies of H.R. of Bad Brains, Vinnie Stigma of Agnostic Front and the Koller brothers of Sick Of It All, as well as The ABCs Of Metallica. Over the years, he’s also worked with Shelter, Vision Of Disorder, Nuclear Assault, Sepultura, Type O Negative, Misfits and plenty more, and produced television for the MSG network and Fuse. Heavy Healing marks his directorial debut.

Jammi York is a New York City-based freelance photographer and videographer with more than two decades of experience, having shot everything from live music and celebrity portraits to fashion imagery, protests in Nicaragua, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. York‘s work has run in entertainment and news outlets around the world.

The post “Heavy Healing” Documentary Sets For September Release, Spotlights SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, AGNOSTIC FRONT & More appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.