Marbled Eye – Fade Away (Single Review)

Oakland-based Marbled Eye first entered the punk rock scene as starry-eyed youths with the release of their first two EPs. Now with another two LPs under their belt, the band has journeyed far and accomplished much. May 22, 2026 will see the release of their newest EP ‘Forever,’ a much-awaited release if you’re an avid follower of the punk rock scene.

Consisting of Alex Shen on drums, Ronnie Portugal on bass, and both Chris Natividad and Michael Lucero on guitars and alternating on vocals, the band’s sound, despite being only four members, is big and loud. And that is precisely what enthusiasts of post-punk and rock music look out for. They want that adrenaline rush, that cathartic release, and Marbled Eye serves that in bite-sized tracks that are under 3 minutes long. The sounds are compressed in that 3-minute mega-byte to give just the right dose of punk rock to keep you going. And that is just what fans of punk rock need. That instant injection that will keep you high for days on end.

In preparation for their ‘Forever’ EP, Marbled Eye is releasing their single, “Fade Away.” The track starts off with a long intro, where reeling guitar riffs and pounding drums set the stage for what is to come. The sound is demanding and attention-grabbing. The oscillating sounds of bass and guitar are demented. This is especially so when Lucero’s vocals set in, which recalled in my mind instances of classic punk bands like the Sex Pistols and the Dead Kennedys.

Despite aligning themselves with the classic punk genres, I felt like there was something lacking with the vocals. I would’ve liked more clarity with the vocals. But I understand that distortion and reverb often come hand-in-hand with this genre. This can’t be helped. You’re either a fan of it or you’re not.

Altogether, the singing wasn’t bad; it’s just not my cup of tea. With that having been said, I felt that the instrumentals were great. The musicians playing in the background of Lucero’s vocals were like a force of nature. It demanded your attention right from the get-go. I felt that this type of musicianship directly hit the pulse of what makes punk rock so great.

Like a bat out of hell, the Marbled Eye comes raging in with this fiery single. The energy coming from Lucero, and the powerful instrumentals all stood out in my mind. With this raw and unfiltered release, listeners can anticipate something unforgettable from the upcoming EP ‘Forever’. I look forward to taking a listen when it comes out.

SCORE/Good: Marbled Eye keeps the energy consistent throughout this track. Not once did they let up. Meant to be cranked up at full volume, this track was a blast from start to finish. Unlike the title of this release, this number won’t ‘fade away’ in our minds, but continue to worm its way into our psyche, like an earworm that just won’t go away. I’m expecting good things from this band.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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