Darzamat - Transkarpatia
Darzamat is named after protective deity guarding gardens and forests from Slavonic mythology. A fitting name for a band that creates dense, forrest-like compositions of gothic, doom, and black metal. There is a strong cinematic quality to their music, heavy on the drama, and alluring in an evil sort of way. It is a seductive darkness that draws you in and traps you in its web.

This is an album that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Songs to focus on include the initial blast, "Vampiric Prose," which serves as an introduction to the band in top form. Other prime gloomers are "The Burning Times" and the down tempo epic, "Virus." Strong vocal performances from the male/female duo are the anchors that held me in thrall as the vampiric imagery washed out of the speakers. Excellent album.

Stone Sour - Come What(ever) May
Stone Sour's sophomore release is a wonderfully executed hard rock album, the likes that you don't hear all that often. Their debut album from 2002 demonstrated their collective ability, this continues to put their impressive songwriting on display.

Come What(ever) May is a complete album running the gamut from pedal to the metal, all out rockers like "30/30-150" and "Reborn," to the "Bother"-esque single "Through Glass," to infectious mid-tempo cuts like "Socio," to the brilliantly depressing "Zzyzx Rd." I cannot actually point to a bad song in the bunch. This is a mature collection that has a strong focus on collaborative songwriting, each member has their moment to shine, yet there is no upstaging. They come together to create this solid rock sound. This is, quite frankly, one of the most satisfying albums I have had the pleasure of listening to this year.

nearLY - Reminder
From the liner notes: "Solely intended for nighttime listening, at a loud volume." I agree with that sentiment. This is a true classic and one of the better albums to have emerged in recent years. This is music to listen to and absorb. A morose journey that will leave with a feeling of hope, not an easy task, and one made to look easy here.

This an album that you will want to add to your collection, beautiful, mysterious, timeless. Jerome Dillon, along with Brett Pierce and Claudia Sarne have crafted an album of such beauty and maturity, an album which introduces the world to a new creative force. The music has takes on a very personal nature, as if Dillon was purging himself of something, or working through an emotional experience, documenting the journey in these songs.