Following 2023’s debut, Ice Cold Oblivion, as well as the I, Megafauna EP released the same year, Little Rock, Arkansas’ MAMMOTH CARAVAN returns with the even more strangely named Frostbitten Galaxy. A jiggering of the lineup has occurred, a former drummer moving to guitars, a new guitarist. Just saying, I’ve been to Little Rock, and ain’t a single thing ice cold or frostbitten about the weather there at any point of the year. We’re talking galaxies here, though, folks, so…
Opener ‘Absolute Zero’ slips in, taking its time getting where it’s hopefully going, a bed of synths beneath a soft, jazz-lite guitar pattern, and – while it’s some good stuff – we’re at 2:07 before the drums arrive. Now understand, there are different types of primitivism in music, and sludge/doom is a wide expanse wherein the tools are often used. One type is the truly half-beast/half-man attack of the much-missed RAMESSES; it’s low, it’s slow, it’s hypnotic in its minimalism. Another is the rampaging spree violence of LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, and while they do, from time to time, slow their pace, never their aggression. The point is, I’m feeling neither here, and honestly wouldn’t have known we’ve moved on to the instrumental ‘Cosmic Clairvoyance’ had I not heard the space between the tracks.
It’s not all bad thus far, even so, the keyboard work is a nice touch, almost to the point I’d love to hear a dungeon synth version of this album. ‘Tusks Of Orion’ raises the enjoyment level substantially, Cro-Magnon bellows, chunked-out riffs, slamming rhythms, and a tasty solo to boot. It’s still quite derivative thus far, but ‘Siege In The Stars’ doesn’t lose any ground, and leads us into ‘Prehistoric Spacefarer’…now here’s my gripe. It’s only one, but it’s a big one. MAMMOTH CARAVAN is predictable. Slow intro, heavier and/or sped up part, trippy-ish bridge or interlude, back to the heavy for the end.
That being said, closer, ‘Sky Burial’ is nearly pristine in its Barrett-era PINK FLOYD (though not nearly as unhinged) / McKENDREE SPRING (though not nearly as restrained) blend. And that’s why, despite my complaints, I believe there’s something potentially very special that could happen with this young trio.
Take this advice, fellas, for what you will. Take this here lineup and play together. Play together until you hate the sight of each other. Then play together some more. Play together until your collective voice grows into what can only be MAMMOTH CARAVAN.
Review By: Lord Randall
MAMMOTH CARAVAN
Frostbitten Galaxy
Blade Setter Records