Denali create boring, lifeless, meandering songs out of seemingly perfect elements. Much better than the debut, but it still tips toward style over substance.
DiV throw a lot of flavors, from the opening, Spiritualized-fueled “Girls” to Mazzy Star guesting on the typically Mazzy-esque folk-pop “Killing Smile.”
Good’n’soulful, the riffs are AC/DC, some of the mid-song chatter is laughably Nugent (think “Wango Tango”), and most is served straight-up butt-boogie.
Blazing club-driven songs sit side by side with the atmospheric Sisters of Mercy/Love and Rockets-sounding songs. They break new ground with lush soundscapes.
Fitting that Cannae is on Prosthetic: They share (ex-) labelmates Lamb of God’s love of classic thrash and modern European death. Present-day Testament.
Much like the more syrupy Fireball Ministry, these guys are rooted in classic Judas Priest, heavy, long hair, ugh-punk, and a little pickle named Failure.