From Bandcamp, “BLACK MAGNET now presents its most ambitious work yet, with the crushing “Megamantra.” A dense and dynamic album, which sees the band taking its steadfast approach to both harsher and infectious realms simultaneously, with an almost punk-inspired anthemic and energetic attack. With passages drenched in searing synths and jagged, grinding riffs, the album pounds forward like an unstoppable machine – oscillating between mechanical precision and suffocating tension, encapsulating the inescapable cycles of control, submission, and decay that define the modern landscape. With “Megamantra,” it’s clear BLACK MAGNET plays heavy guitar-focused music.”

The album has nine songs. “Wound Signal” is first; a short introduction to the album. It segues quickly into “Endless,” which is a weighted song full of echoes and a filthy riff, together with harsh vocals that paint the sky black. You can hear the Punk influences here also, especially in the short length, although it is largely Sludge and Industrial in nature. “Better than Love” has deeper Industrial elements, with a cold, sterile riff, and heavy, thumping bass. The vocals are a bit cadenced this time as well. “Spitting Glass” has a heavy dose of electronic to go along with its sterility of sound. It’s also catchy, and something that you can sing, or headbang, along with, if you can figure out the lyrics.

“Coming Back Again” is another electronically fuzzy offering where you feel like you are watching the television through blurred lenses, and not getting the complete picture. Some of the music is hopeless as well. “Null + Void” feels like flesh being stripped by ultra-thin blades. You don’t necessarily feel it as it happens, because the blades are so efficient. “Night Tripping” is another dense offering that has a distinct swing to it…something that as a listener you can get behind. “Birth” has a great combination of weighted electronica with harrowing sounds, reminding me of the disturbing scenes in the movie Hostel. But damn, it is catchy. “Smokescreen” is the final offering, and it also has a catchy groove, which is hard to establish with as much filth as they push.

Overall, the album seemed to encompass several styles of music, keeping it alive and constantly moving, including Punk, Sludge, Industrial, and Hardcore. I also found the album nearly exactly as advertised…harsh and infectious at the same time. I understand why the songs are on the shorter side, because they are packed full of density. This was a swift kick in the teeth.