Vertigo

With its downtuned riffs and vocals rapped in a tone that's eerily reminiscent of Fred Durst's, Vertigo will inevitably, if somewhat unfairly, be the subject of countless comparisons to Limp Bizkit. However, this Independence-based six-piece offers more musical depth than the "Nookie" patrol, as it deftly moves from bruising stuttered riffs to low-key bass backdrops without the transitions' seeming awkward or forced. While one guitar plays squiggly experimental sounds, the other sets a pummeling foundation, with keyboards and turntables adding an extra dimension. The best of these tracks, most of which smartly cut out extraneous solos and reprises to clock in at around two and a half minutes in duration, is "Belt," which begins with an inviting intro, changes complexion with a brutal stop-and-start flurry midsong, then returns to relative calm before working in a final jolt. Eschewing the cocky tone and simple song structures of mediocre rap/rock outfits, Vertigo's debut release suggests this group might eventually ascend to dizzying heights.