Band:	Latitudes
Album:	Old Sunlight
Style:	Post-metal, Sludge metal
Release date:	January 22, 2016
A review by:	tea[m]ster

01. Ordalian
02. Body Within A Body
03. Amnio
04. Gyre
05. In Rushes Bound
06. Altarpieces
07. Quandary

It's been a long time between releases for UK post-metallers Latitudes. Four years, to be exact, and to be quite honest I do not completely recall what their last album sounds like. I know I listened to it back then and I will confidently say I remember liking Individuation. When I review a band's new album, I always go back for a cup of coffee with previous works so I can refresh my memory about their sound. I did not do this with Old Sunlight. This write-up will be like I have never heard of Latitudes.

Riffs and melody: the calling card for this semi-instrumental album. It took a bunch of go-arounds but a proper inspection of Latitudes's third full-length reveals some of my favorite aspects of post-metal and some that are fresh. The overall sound is dense. Pronounced bass and drums, as well as layered, down-tuned guitars, highlight Old Sunlight. World-shaking crunches of riffs clashing with propulsive rhythm. Oh my. Additionally, keyboards and programming are intelligently situated within the DNA strands of the songs. They never take over the compositions but instead perfectly abet the brooding sound. Not since Mouth Of The Architect's Quietly have I heard such minimalist but strategically-placed electronics. Some clean vocals, which remind me of the '90s alternative/grunge band Hum, are used and heighten the majestic and cinematic aura of Old Sunlight. The songwriting is done really well and each track sounds different by having illustrious symmetry and memorable passages. The musicianship is off the charts for post-metal acts - I would not be offended if this were also labeled progressive.

The only fault on the 45-minute album and it's more of a personal thing, is that technically there are really only five songs. "Amnio" is a two-minute all-electronic/fuzzy guitar interlude and the ending track, "Quandary," another two-minute feeler, utilizes rare vocals and tremolo-picked guitar and seems misplaced. I am a huge fan of the monolithic closer to albums. Most of my favorite post metal-albums have unmistakable, memorable last songs; "Monument," "Garden Of Light," and "Apogee" to name a few (Google is your friend). The ender to this album does not radiate that lasting effect and leave-you-wanting-more feeling. A bit of a letdown really.

Take away my nitpicking and Old Sunlight is a powerful and dynamically uplifting experience, featuring a seemingly endless array of soaring guitars. A restricted but nicely-balanced gentle/harsh mix and plenty of tempo shifts add immeasurably to their highly appealing and atmospheric instrumentals. The vocals are a satisfying change of pace by adding a bit of a mood shift and enhancing the haunting and mesmerizing guitar textures and massive, heavy chord progressions. I am not going to lie, I had to listen to this album in full over 10 times before "getting it." The first few spins I so wanted to like it, but it wasn't clicking. The ingredients were there, it just took awhile to cook. I highly suggest post- and even progressive metal fans give Old Sunlight a serious look and enjoy the rewards.