Gravity Kills
Perversion
(TVT)
Gravity Kills detonated one of rock radio's most potent blasts with "Guilty," their breakthrough single that paved the way for a gold-selling debut. They surge beyond the electronic-friendly tones of Gravity Kills with Perversion, a  rush of metallic riffs and techno currents that makes a bold statement for the St. Louis quartet-while they're not ashamed of their radio smash, they're also not afraid of evolution. A fundamentally heavier album than its self-titled predecessor, the follow-up elevates Gravity Kills from the company of the quasi-industrial to the narrower scope of bands willing to mix things up for the sake of dynamics.
   The breakneck excursion kicks off with the riveting guitar grooves of "Falling" and "If," which tear a path through Perversion's epicenter into  "Alive" and "Wanted," two shredding slabs of musical fury that demonstrate an embrace of guitar and drum-driven energy. The electronic element is just as crucial this go-round, but not as obtrusive, falling into the mix as an appreciable element rather than a musical backbone. In short, Gravity Kills have distanced themselves from the ranks of synth-happy contemporaries, boasting an album bulked by music, not juiced by an all-powerful keyboard. Perversion is the sophomore release young bands strive for, returning Gravity Kills with a fortified sound, an electrifying mix, and one of 1998's most memorable albums.
 Paul Gargano