Album Review: Mæntra – Kundalini Rising (Self Released)

13.8 billion years ago, the universe was born from a big bang and consciousness was created through the sound of OM. From the journey of billions of years of evolution, survival, death, rebirth, wars, peace, and music emerges Mæntra, a quartet committed to helping their listeners find their own personal light by playing in the darkness and embracing aggression.

Now, brutal death/industrial metal healers Mæntra will release their debut album, Kundalini Rising on the 18th of February 2022.

A crunchy and corrosive ass-kicking, Kundalini Rising is a savage release that sits comfortable in the death metal camp. However, Mæntra aren’t afraid to experiment and across seven tracks, showcase more than just your average extreme release.

With technical proficiency, an ear for the most brutalising heaviness and industrial layers, Mæntra craft an album that stands out from the pack. Although the immediate takeaway is “holy fuck, that is intense”, repeat listens are all about the layers and nuances. The touches that enhance the chaos, that turns a blistering fervour into something more focused and cuts through the malaise of life. Like a hot spoon through butter, Mæntra can scoop out the senses, manipulate and shape them until you’re little more than a gibbering wreck at their mercy.

There’s no let-up, no chill, no reasoning… Mæntra are playing at a high tempo throughout and it is messy. Not the band, they’re tight as hell, but rather the mess it leaves you in. From the absolute mutilating set of guitars, to the grinding percussion, to the guttural fury of the vocals and the smart use of effects, Mæntra do a lot of damage.

There’s no other way to describe the extremities of this album. It’s an accomplished release that delivers a ton of interesting detail when it isn’t trying to knock your head from your shoulders through force.

Mæntra – Kundalini Rising Full Track Listing:

1. Muladhara
2. Svadhisthana
3. Manipura
4. Anahata
5. Vishuddha
6. Ajna
7. Sahasrara

Links

Website | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube