photo by Matthew Reeves
Following their acclaimed third LP, Megamantra, an extensive tour with Author & Punisher, and more Midwestern US industrial metal outfit BLACK MAGNET issues their newest offering of 2026 with the new single, “Keep It Downtown.”
Marking a bold step into new territory, “Keep It Downtown” leans into catchy hooks and melodic sensibilities, while maintaining the band’s signature intensity. Drawing influence from The Jesus And Mary Chain and David Bowie, the song offers a glimpse into the evolving direction of BLACK MAGNET’s songwriting. “Keep It Downtown” was produced by Nick Rowe (Vampire Weekend, Charli XCX) in Joshua Tree, introducing a fresh production approach that expands the band’s sonic palette, and completed with artwork by Jesse Draxler and Federal Prisoner.
With the new track, BLACK MAGNET’s founder James Hammontree writes, “I wrote ‘Keep It Downtown’ as a vibed-out, slacker new wave song influenced by The Jesus And Mary Chain and the likes. During production I couldn’t help pushing it into heavier territory, even with the melodic hooks and new wave influences, it ended up carrying the same intensity and weight as other BLACK MAGNET material.
“The song is about having a place to escape from the routines and responsibilities of everyday life, a place where bad decisions, excess, and self-destruction feel temporarily consequence-free. ‘Downtown’ is a place where you can leave your normal life behind for a night and the only thing waiting for you the next morning is a hangover.
“The song is a key insight as to what the next album will sound like.”
Stream BLACK MAGNET’s “Keep It Downtown” through Federal Prisoner everywhere now at Bandcamp HERE and all streaming services HERE.
BLACK MAGNET recorded several other tracks in the same session as the new single, and is working on their fourth LP, targeting a release in the first half of 2027.
The new track coincides with BLACK MAGNET’s June 2026 Texas run alongside The Black Queen and Reba Meyers, which hits Austin and Dallas this weekend. BLACK MAGNET is also confirmed to play Summer Dying Loud Festival in Poland and Inkestas Festival in Spain this September, with a full tour coming together surrounding these dates. Watch for additional news to post.
BLACK MAGNET Tour Dates:
6/05/2026 Elysium – Austin, TX w/ The Black Queen, Reba Meyers
6/06/2026 AM/FM – Dallas, TX w/ The Black Queen, Reba Meyers
9/04/2026 Summer Dying Loud Festival – Aleksandrów Łódzki, PL
9/12/2026 Inkestas Festival – Sopela, ES
photo by Tom Hudson
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The post BLACK MAGNET: US Industrial Metal Outfit Issues “Keep It Downtown” Single And Launches Tour Dates With The Black Queen; European Fall Tour And New Album In The Works first appeared on Earsplit Compound.