JesusfreakHideout.com: Highlighting 2012 Part Two -- Looking Ahead To New Music In The Second Half of 2012

For our 6th annual Highlighting feature, we've done things a little differently. Normally, we select our top 25 most anticipated releases for the whole year, but we realize that it's tough to really gauge EVERYTHING that may release throughout a given year when we're making the list in January. So, for 2012, we've split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and June to December. Also, we're making each list 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in 2012.

We've already selected the first fifteen artists, so please click here to check those out. Without further ado, we give you Highlighting Second-Half 2012!

1 of 15

#1. Anberlin
Vital

Release Date: Late, 2012

Anberlin is a band with staying power and therefore routinely place high on this list. But not since 2007, the list's inaugural year, have they landed on top, and 2012 couldn't be more fitting. Vital marks the return of Aaron Sprinkle as producer, and every Cities enthusiast (myself included) has continued to keep their resounding hopes higher-than-high for the quintet's sixth album. From a band that never records the same album twice, it's certainly among 2012's best bets.
- Roger Gelwicks

Remember when Anberlin released their third Tooth & Nail album and it was incredible? Well, Vital is their third Universal album. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'...
- Scott Fryberger

It's Anberlin. Reunited with Aaron Sprinkle, the producer behind their most loved record, Cities. Need I say more?
- Jen Rose

Since the days of Sagoh, Anberlin has come a long way. It's exciting to see what the guys will produce on their third release with Universal. While Dark is a Way, Light is a Place, was decent, one can only hope for something as great as Cities.
- Michael Weaver

No one can deny that Anberlin is one of the most interesting bands in Christian rock right now. Being known for switching things up on each of their records, while always maintaining their "sound", Anberlin has continued to gain high praise from critics and a growing fan base. This is their third album on the major label Universal Records, and fans are anxious to see what direction the boys from Florida will take this time around.
- Cortney Warner

Visit our Anberlin page for more information about them...

2012 Countdown Recap:

SECOND HALF 2012
15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

FIRST HALF 2012
15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Here are a few other artists that made our staff's individual lists that didn't quite make the top 15... Children 18:3 and Rocket Summer (who released in between the first and second half features), August Burns Red, TobyMac, Third Day, Anchor & Braille, Becoming The Archetype and more...