Time to highlight an album that should absolutely be on your listening list come the end of the week. On July 25th, the Midwestern industrial project Black Magnet will release their third album, Megamantra, through Federal Prisoner. Blistering and metallic, it’s a form of industrial metal I find myself quickly hooked on. James Hammontree (vocals, guitar) stepped in to help us learn a little more about this album and project, so give his Profile responses a read while you get a taste of Megamantra through their Bandcamp offerings and a video for “Endless” below.

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

I got exposed to extreme music through skate videos and my older cousins and his friends, after discovering this world of music I started going to record stores and getting my hands and ears on everything I could. Black Magnet started as a solo project in 2018 when I wanted to play industrial/electronic metal but couldn’t find anyone who shared the same passion I had for it. I was also becoming an audio engineer at the time, which partly made me interested in the genre. Pushback happened early on, but as soon as my family saw I was all in it was hopeless to try and change my mind.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the Dark?

I would definitely play our new song ‘Endless’. Black Magnet’s sound is a fusion of industrial metal, noise, and electronic body music filtered through a lens of post-apocalyptic paranoia.

Is there anything about your latest / upcoming album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

Probably that were equally into fine art as well as music, I tend to look at songwriting and our band through that scope, versus just the regular viewpoint of a band with guitars in rock music. That and we
listen to a ton of Memphis rap from the 90’s.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

One time Author & Punisher borrowed our soldering iron to fix his gear before a show, that was cool.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

I think one of the great things happening in metal right now is the fusion of different subgenres and people breaking out of just regular death metal, grind, doom, etc.. There seems to be a lot of unique creativity and crossover happening and people are opening their minds outside of just a straight metal format. People seem to be using different instruments and different approaches/production in heavy music. This probably comes with the easy availability of music now, maybe one of the good things from it. 

Worst things in metal, probably the opposite where there are still a TON of copycat, generic, derivative bands who are just copying whatever trend is going on, but that will probably always be the case until the listener and public develop a more discerning ear. That and just how absolutely fucked the live music and booking world is.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

For Black Magnet, the development of self, mind power metaphysics, new thought, meditation, and all aspects of self development through the mind. This is probably the most important thing in my life.

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

Nothing special.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

I think that writing more in depth about the actual music itself, musically, compositionally and lyrically, is something that is greatly missing from music critics. Instead of comparing this band to that band, this song to this era, etc… I would find it wildly refreshing to hear an actual evaluation of the music itself and the emotional response it elicits outside of referencing its obvious predecessors.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Touring internationally and recording more albums. We already have a batch of new songs written, some of which we will be playing live alongside the “Megamantra” songs.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Anything from Model/Actriz, Tzusing, Money, Low Down Sinista, Youth Code, The Bug, Bleed, Deadguy.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

Lots of shows, and hopefully touring on the album.
7/06/2025 The Sanctuary – Oklahoma City, OK w/ Planning For Burial, Mary Mortem
9/02/2025 Rubber Gloves – Denton, TX w/ Wargasm
9/20/2025 Heavy Hell Festival @ Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN w/ Six Feet Under, Master, Thou

Summarize your band in one word.

Metaphysical. Occult.

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Many thanks to James and Black Magnet for the time!

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Megamantra will be available July 25th through Federal Prisoner. For more information on Black Magnet, head over to their website.