Abraham - The Serpent, the Prophet, and the Whore (2012)

Artist: Abraham
Album: The Serpent, the Prophet, and the Whore
Country: Switzerland
Release Date: October 1st, 2012
Genre: Sludge metal/metalcore

This is one of the more overlooked post-metal releases of the year, which is a shame, because this brings something to the table that's actually pretty rare for the genre: uniqueness. Imagine The Beyond-era Cult of Luna blended with Gaza and Underoath, and you'll have a decent idea of what this album sounds like. Highly recommended.

Sample song, tracklist, and link can be found after the jump. 

SotW 12/10/12: Adrift - The Soldier of My Words

Artist: Adrift
Song: The Soldier of My Words
Album: Black Heart Bleeds Black (2012)

This is just some straightforward, very well-executed post-metal that's more Through Silver in Blood than it is Panopticon. Some of the best heavy post-metal I've heard in a while, the full album is also well worth a look and may end up as one of the better post-metal albums of the year.

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. 

REVIEW: Amenra - Mass V (2012)

Artist: Amenra
Album: Mass V
Country: Belgium
Release Date: November 26th, 2012
Genre: Post-metal

Read on to the review for a full description, but this is hands-down the best album of the year.

Review, tracklist, sample song, and link are 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.

SotW 11/12/12: Amenra - Nowena | 9.10

Artist: Amenra
Song: Nowena | 9.10
Album: Mass V (2012)

Yes, I know this is the second week in a row in which I've posted a track from the upcoming album Mass V (11/26/12, Neurot Recordings) from Belgian sludge metal band Amenra, but I just can't help it. Seriously, the more of this album I hear - they've actually released three of its four songs already, not counting a 5th track that will be on the vinyl edition - the more I'm convinced that it will not only be the best post-metal album of the year: it will also be one of its best albums, period. "Nowena" continues this trend of awesomeness, this time with a guest vocal contribution from some guy named Scott Kelly. It's also worth noting that this seems to be a shortened version of the song, as other sources list it as being a bit over nine minutes in total duration.

God damn it, I can barely contain my excitement. The 26th can not come quickly enough.By the way, the video is just as awesome and creepy (if not more so) than the one for "Boden." It's definitely worth watching.

SotW 11/5/12: Amenra - Boden-Spijt

Artist: Amenra
Song: Boden - Spijt
Album: Mass V (2012)

If you know anything about Amenra, then you'll already know that Mass V, due for release November 26th on Neurot Recordings, will be one of the best post-metal releases of the year. "Boden - Spijt" only reinforces this view, showcasing the band's characteristically dark, bleak, and foreboding brand of post-metal. Although very similar in style to the band's previous releases, this song is just as excellent, if not better, than anything else Amenra have done, largely due to a particularly stellar, bass-heavy production job that is an improvement upon their previous releases. The video is also very dark and creepy, becoming one of the most fitting music videos of the year.

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.

The Great Old Ones - Al Azif (2012)

Artist: The Great Old Ones
Album: Al Azif
Country: France
Release Date: 04/27/2012
Genre: Atmospheric black metal/sludge metal

Description: We've all heard the atmosludge-infused black metal schtick before, but it's uncommon to find a band that does it as proficiently as The Great Old Ones. The difference here is that this French act puts far more emphasis on the sludge facet of their sound than their peers do, creating an exceptionally eerie and murky black metal album. Also, as is made obvious by the band and track names, the entire album is a love letter to the Lovecraft mythos. Win win (win).  

Tracklist, sample song, and download are after the jump.

REVIEW: Old Man Gloom - NO (2012)

See this post for album info.

Summary: After 8 years, Old Man Gloom have changed little, displaying the same strengths and weaknesses that they have always carried with them.

Check out the review after the jump.

Old Man Gloom - NO (2012)

Artist: Old Man Gloom
Album: NO
Country: USA (Santa Fe, NM)
Release Date: 6/26/12 (or 5/2/12 if we're gonna be technical)
Genre: Hardcore/Atmospheric Sludge
Click here to read my in-depth review of this album.

Description: I'll add a description as soon as I actually listen to this but I fully expect this to be completely amazing.

Tracklist, sample song, and download are after the jump.

REVIEW: Kehlvin - The Orchard of Forking Paths (2012)

Artist: Kehlvin

Album: The Orchard of Forking Paths

Country: Switzerland

Release Date: April 20, 2012

Genre: Progressive Hardcore

Description: Heavy, chaotic, dissonant, atmospheric progressive hardcore. Kehlvin stray far from their more Cult of NeurIsis-oriented roots to create something truly unique. This is evolution at its finest, and it's one of the year's best records so far.

Review, tracklist, and link are after the jump.

SotW 5/13/12: Neurosis - Aeon

Artist: Neurosis
Song: Aeon
Album: Through Silver in Blood

One of Neurosis' most crushing tracks, Aeon is a definitive masterwork of sludge. Deceptively calm pianos lead off into a monstrous barrage of riffs accompanied by Steve Von Till's and Scott Kelly's signature tortured bellows, and the climax is one of the genre's most memorable. At nearly 12 minutes, it's not easy listening, but since when have Neurosis ever been? This song encapsulates everything they're good at, and you'd be remiss not to give it a spin.

Neurosis - Through Silver in Blood (1996)

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Artist: Neurosis

Album: Through Silver in Blood

Country: USA (Oakland, CA)

Release Date: April 23, 1996

Genre: Atmospheric Sludge Metal

Description: Tribal, percussive, sludgy, bleak, utterly destructive. The definitive post-metal album from the definitive post-metal band. Puts every single one of their imitators to shame. If you like this kind of music yet you don't own this, then you don't like this kind of music.

Tracklist, sample song, and link are after the jump.