Deeply emotive and endlessly powerful, Latitudes have long been something of a band to watch in the avant black metal underground. Their latest offering, the masterful Part Island, is all-encompassing and mesmerizing. It speaks to the greatness of the band but also to that of their label, Debemur Morti. Part Island draws the listener in with visceral sounds that seem to ebb and flow. The sense of sonic absolution is enough to get lost in. With hardly a growl to be found on Part Island in many ways this feels like more of a post rock release than anything else. That being said, the harrowing heaviness and darkness of the overall vibe suggests nothing other than black metal.
Latitudes aren't shy about pulling from a diverse array of influences. On the surface, it's usual suspects like Neurosis and Blut Aus Nord. Then there are more progressive rock bands like Rush and King Crimson. There are even unexpected elements reminiscent of Converge and Mastodon. At the end of the day this is a fascinating record that is very aware of its own bombast but also its simple honesty. You are going to want to pick this apart to get to the heart of the matter. Latitudes have blown the lid off the genre here and it's going to be hard to put the pieces back together.
Latitudes Band (Photo: Latitudes)
There is a certain fierceness behind the gorgeous production that keeps Part Island punishingly real. These songs seem to skirt across waves of sound. They don't dwell on the mundane, but rather embrace bold futures. It's easy to investigate these grandiose soundscapes or become quickly enamored with the poetic mastery behind Part Island. These factors directly translate into endless replays. Though it might be just under 45 minutes, Part Island's anthemic nature makes it grow beyond its run time—it's the powerful melodic themes and gorgeous songwriting.
This is a band who seem to revel in their own madness. Latitudes craft something that roars from its own inertia. Though they may be fusing disparate elements (and though some of these tracks might make more sense on a post-rock album) the overall vision stays clear. It is one of unsettling honesty and brutal realities. It's one that uses an ethereal sound to communicate a sense of enormity and terror that is beyond what many of their peers in the black metal sphere could even begin to hint at. This is exactly what makes Part Island such a fascinating and deeply engaging listening experience. Post black metal takes some weird but merited twists all over Part Island and it's impossible not to love.
It's rare in this day and age to find something so meaningfully self-reflective—to find a record that captures raw emotion and elegantly fuses genres. Well, Latitudes are a rare band. They have brought a level of depth to their song crafting that is truly difficult to match. They continue to evolve and grow with leaps and bounds. Debemur Morti has always been a label who embraced some pretty weird picks and this is one of them (weird meaning atypical).
It's an atypical record from a band who want you to feel what they feel. They want to drag the listener to the depths of hell alongside them. Every step of the journey is potent and exciting. You go ever deeper and become ever more rewarded. Triumphant at times, it feels like Part Island is so much more and simultaneously so much less than that. It's a reflection on the human condition—one not to look away from.
Score: 9/10
