Pallbearer - Sorrow and Extinction (2012)

One of 2012's best-reviewed metal albums, Pallbearer's debut put doom back on the map and took it back to its roots. However, while the presence of Black Sabbath can be distinctly heard on this album, it doesn't fall into the cliches of stoner metal (not that I dislike stoner metal, it's just a bit overdone). Instead, its epic, intense, droning nature is of a quite unique variety that has more in common with Candlemass than High on Fire. The vocals, riffs and melodies all take you on an emotional journey that requires patience and perseverance. While the album may not hold your attention through every twist and turn it takes, the atmosphere is such that one can connect with it the whole time and be intrigued enough not to hit the pause button. I won't say it's the best thing since sliced bread as many metal and non-metal media outlets seem to have done, but I will say that it is an impressive release that not only showcases the talent of a young, upstart band, but also breathes new life into doom metal as a whole.
9/10