The very idea of crunchy rock that has a clear flair born out of the southern reaches of the United States is something that has become undeniably infused with much of what comes out of that part of the country in both the worlds of rock and metal, but it’s not often enough that we see a band come around and manage to do the concept enough justice. It can often feel like we don’t get much more than some half-baked riffs and an attitude that falls far too short in order to make any real impact, but there are always exceptions. It was clear upon my discovery of Death Denied that this is a record that manages to succeed in all of those aspects, but there are certainly more than a few surprises from this creation that are to be made by those who simply want a good time.

Naturally, one would expect a sound as cultivated as this by its region to almost always come from that region, but it’s from Poland of all places that Death Denied call home making the very success of this record something that many would-be contenders in the U.S. south shake in their boots with how well-done the very whole of this performance is. From the very beginning, nothing is taken to chance. The undeniable entirety of “Through Waters, Through Flames” finds oneself in the presence of compelling hard rock that pulls from both lines of rock and metal to deliver a potent sound that excellently straddles that very line for enough power, finesse, attitude, and potency to provide us with a deep-fried rock experience that holds nothing back. From the raw desire to roll your windows down and blast these riffs at maximum value for the best ride of your life comes a tremendous listen that doesn’t allow for any one of these ten tracks to be lacking in any capacity whatsoever as not only does Death Denied manage to keep the listener’s undivided attention right from the get-go, they achieve a chilling level of glory that is nigh on satisfying to any who find themselves basking in all that was brought to the table here. Many wouldn’t expect excellence from this particular style to come out of Poland of all places, but it is without any sort of fumble that “Through Waters, Through Flames” defies expectations at damn near every turn.

A straightforward creation such as this is always a treat to come across no matter what style we’re talking about. Hard rock of this kind is downright intoxicating when it is brought to the table by capable hands and molded into a form that cannot be considered as anything less than compelling with few able to bring it to life suitably, but it’s clear by the first track that Death Denied is more than up to the task. To take in all that is brought forth with “Through Waters, Through Flames” is to find yourself before some of the very best of what the sound is still capable of with the future all but bright for the likes of Death Denied.

LISTEN to “Through Waters, Through Flames” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Death Denied on Facebook here.