The gnarly band name and album covers of Death Denied’s three full-length grizzled and gritty discs -- 2014’s Transfuse the Booze debut, 2018’s A Prayer to the Carrion Kind and 2022’s Through Waters, Through Flames -- suggest this Polish band makes down-and-nasty death metal. But you’d only be partially correct. There is an American Southern-fried crust to Death Denied’s brand of metal that’s more Molly Hatchet than Morbid Angel. (Maybe throw in some Alice in Chains, too.)
The first two albums don’t sound much different from each other, but Through Waters, Through Flames emerges as a whole different beast. The band’s latest record takes a giant leap forward in songwriting, arrangements and vocals. The Southern-rock groove is even heavier than on previous releases, as is the early grunge influence, and the overall vibe is deeper and more diverse. Opener “The Apostate Soul” is arguably more complex and darker than anything on Transfuse the Booze or A Prayer to the Carrion Kind. Other tracks, such as “High Priestess of Down Low” and “The Machine” emphasize the band’s metal roots, while “Lesser Demons” and “Carnage” rely, respectively, on a bluesy shuffle and ZZ Top-inspired riffs. And closer “Nocturnal” manages to sum up Death Denied’s full range of sound in eight and a half minutes.
Track Listing:
1. The Apostate Soul
2. High Priestess of Down Low
3. Lesser Daemons
4. Carnage
5. The Machine
6. Behind the Surreal
7. Smoke, Soot and Solitude
8. Concrete Cathedrals
9. The Celestial Choir
10. Nocturnal
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