Repeating a mantra can be therapeutic, but Black Magnet’s lead vocalist & guitarist James Hammontree takes it a step further. With Megamantra, the industrial metal outfit’s third album, releasing via Federal Prisoner Records, the catharsis is intensely displayed to the world.
“Basically, I would say the overarching concept of the album is a self-empowering mission statement,” begins the frontman, “It’s centered around building self-confidence and the power of my subconscious to be able to gear myself for a productive, honest, and direct creative way I could get out what I want to communicate.”
Speaking of gearing up, Megamantra is Hammontree’s first record after deciding to ditch the solo-artist act. “There’s a lot more quality-control happening with them,” he confesses about the band’s additional components. New guitarist Ryne Bratcher contributes in myriad ways, coming from an industrial background in a more traditional sense. “For work he diagnoses carburetors for Mercedes, kinda like a forensic investigator with machines,” reports the singer.
Hammontree not only takes advantage of Bratcher’s shredding and recording knowledge, but also his occupation, as he divulges about the album art, “Some of the background imagery is images he’s taken from the factory.” Bratcher offers even more to the table in the eyes of the lead vocalist who implores, “We want to film a video in there really bad, but i don’t think we’ll have clearance, because it’s the most industrial vibe–chains, big presses, drills everywhere. It would be fuckin’ perfect!”
Joining the founding member and Bratcher is bassist Jared Branson and drummer Noah Taylor. “I wanted them to step on my toes, I wanted them to retry my ideas,” begins Hammontree, “So, after we got into a groove with that, it wasn’t too difficult. […] The other guys are really good at being patient, so if there’s any frustration, it’s from me. What helped the album is we spent three-and-a-half years writing.”
Even though relatively more time was put into manufacturing Megamantra, it screams “less is more” in its overall composition. “I wanted to, not necessarily, dial back the harshness, bring the vocals to the front and make more memorable areas in songs,” elaborates Hammontree, with “harshness” referring to layers of synths, samples, and noise.
Toting a degree in Art History, he continues on the writing method for the new full-length, “Much like painting, if you put every color on the palette you don’t see anything. I was trying to approach it not in a minimal way–I made all the chaos and noise I could–but how could I dial it back and actually get the power across?”
If there’s anything Megamantra doesn’t lack, it’s power. Hammontree’s distorted screams blare callously over sawing guitars, thunderous percussion, and vitriolic synths. On how his lyrical concept, which is typically viewed through a positive lens, complements the foreboding sonic landscape, he’s forthright: “I feel like a lot of people who are using self-empowerment, mindpower, metaphysics, or meditation, it has flowery overtones, but if they were really honest with themselves they would confront a lot more negativity.”
“There is a certain bleakness to this area of the Midwest,” begins the frontman on harnessing the negativity of his hometown of Oklahoma City, “I am influenced by decrepit buildings. There are old race tracks here (too). We have one of the worst areas for education, obesity is super bad here. So, there’s stuff I’m not trying to exploit, but there’s a lot to draw influence from.”
It’s taking a group effort now to bring Hammontree’s grand vision to fruition, a vision of ultimate power brimming within himself. Through Megamantra, he’s achieving another step forward on the path to enlightenment, leaving a trail of industrial carnage behind.
Megamantra is out Friday, and you can pre-order it from Federal Prisoner Records. Follow Black Magnet on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Photo Credit: Tom Hudson
