Downfall of Gaia - Suffocating in the Swarm of Cranes (2012)

Artist: Downfall of Gaia
Album: Suffocating in the Swarm of Cranes
Country: Germany
Release Date: October 9th, 2012
Genre: Atmospheric black metal/crust punk/post-metal

Easily one of the best albums of 2012 in my book, this album only came into my radar a few weeks back but since then it's elevated itself to my top 5 of the year. It's like someone took the best parts of atmospheric black metal, crust punk, and post-metal, eliminating all of the fluff and filler that plagues post-metal and atmospheric black metal especially, and smashed the three together to create this simultaneously epic, punishing, and beautiful record. Think a crossbreed of Altar of Plagues, Full of Hell, and Fall of Efrafa.

Tracklist, sample song, and link can be found after the jump. 

SotW 11/26/12: Downfall of Gaia - In the Rivers Bleak

Artist: Downfall of Gaia
Song: In the Rivers Bleak
Album: Suffocating in the Swarm of Cranes (2012)

Suffocating in the Swarm of Cranes was one of the biggest surprises of the year for me: an unusually unique and astoundingly well-done mixture of crust punk, atmospheric black metal, and post-metal that will have a very high spot in my best of 2012 list. "In the Rivers Bleak" is a perfect showcase for this brilliant album, giving attention to the best parts of the three genres it's primarily composed of, all while removing all traces of the fluff that post-metal and atmospheric black metal especially are known for. Think a mix of Altar of Plagues, Amenra, and Full of Hell. Also, the video is pretty sweet.

Enabler - All Hail the Void (2012)

Artist: Enabler
Album: All Hail the Void
Country: USA (Milwaukee, WI)
Release Date: July 17th, 2012
Genre: Hardcore/crust punk

Extremely heavy, hard-hitting, downtuned, very well-executed hardcore/crust punk from the great state of Wisconsin. Honestly, there's not a lot more to say here (or maybe I just don't currently have the attention span to say it). Get this.

Tracklist, sample song, and link can be found after the jump 

The Secret - Angus Dei (2012)

Artist: The Secret
Album: Angus Dei
Country: Italy
Release Date: October 23, 2012
Genre: Blackened hardcore/grind

Description: I haven't listened to this yet, but considering how much I loved the bleak, furious, and hateful blackened hardcore presented on 2010's Solve Et Coagula, this will be an immediate priority for me and it should be for you too. Also, it's produced by the always-excellent Kurt Ballou, so yeah. You need this.

Track list, sample song, and download are after the jump.

Direwolves - Me From Myself, To Banish EP (2012)

Artist: Direwolves
Album: Me From Myself, To Banish
Country: France
Release Date: 10/15/12
Genre: Sludge-tinged hardcore/crust punk

Description: The debut EP from French hardcore act Direwolves is short, sweet, and pleasantly uncomplicated and old-school in its execution. Separating this from similar bands are the stellar production (the guitar tone is somewhat reminiscent of Salvation-era Cult of Luna), the relatively unique, higher-pitched vocals, and a few very interesting facets of the band's sound that take influence from various sludge acts. Recommended for fans of Gaza, Cult of Luna, and Taste the Void.

Track list, sample song, and download are after the jump.