sure they can, if riffs consist of a constant repetitive boring hum. Obviously death metal isn't quite the quality of material it use to be - but at least production has advanced. Although I must say Revocation is one of the better and newer Thrash/Death bands out there right now.
Revocation's first album was cool but not so much into the latest. Then again my interest in all the techy/wanky stuff has declined a lot over the past few years. Just give me Dead Congregation and I'll be happy.