Expanding Majesty
Released
The name Mammatus literally means “cloud udders,” and this Santa Cruz heavy psych outfit is, in fact, the tits. Also their extended jams make the listener feel like they’re soaring through the sky on the back of the cover dragon. Four full-lengths in and they’ve achieved mastery of their monster piloting skills. Vocals drift through occasionally, but for the most part this is about the interplay between the instruments. Like Earthless, they find ways to keep these quarter-plus-hour compositions constantly evolving without resorting to aimless noodling. They always feel like they’re going somewhere as they continue their majestic expansion.