Of Valleys and Mountains
Of Valleys and Mountains gives Pull Down the Sun a strong foundation for their progressive metal. The New Zealand band combine heavy, sharply accented riffs with clean singing, harsher vocals and more spacious instrumental passages. The sound has familiar reference points, but the writing is strong enough to make those influences useful rather than restrictive.
Aka begins with a short atmospheric introduction before Whare Ra develops into a much larger performance. The guitars build over a steady rhythmic foundation, with the different layers remaining clear as the music grows. The arrival of the heavier voice gives that preparation a convincing release. It is an effective way to introduce the band's control of scale.
The title track is more immediate. Its guitar patterns and forceful drums have a clear connection, while the singing adds a melodic point of entry. Tūrehu follows with another mixture of groove and atmosphere, allowing a longer closing passage to broaden the song's character instead of simply repeating its opening attack.
The shorter pieces help the sequence breathe. Light In Water provides a softer pause, while Oro combines restrained piano and rain-like sound before Ngaro's more accessible melodies. The latter makes particularly good use of clean singing. These changes give the album a wider range without making the quieter music feel separate from the heavier songs.
Salt of the Earth is one of the strongest longer arrangements. Bass and drums give its changing passages a firm connection, allowing the guitars to move between melodic lines and more forceful playing. The vocals bring both weight and openness to the song, and the steady rise in atmosphere keeps its length purposeful.
Inoi closes on an even larger scale. The band move through several approaches before the final vocal chant gives the record a clear ending. The performance brings together much of what makes the album work: detailed rhythms, expressive guitar parts and an effective relationship between calm and force.
The influence of more established progressive and post-metal bands is easy to recognise, and a stronger individual identity would take this music further. Even so, this is a well-shaped and engaging debut. Its extended arrangements keep returning to strong musical ideas, making the full journey worth the time it asks for.
