For our 6th annual Highlighting feature, we're doing 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're splitting the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December (Click here for Part 2). Also, we're making each list 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in 2012. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2012!

	1 of 15   #1. House Of Heroes Cold Hard Want Release Date: July 10, 2012 The End Is Not The End was easily tops for 2008, but Suburba let us feeling a little less enchanted two years later. The HOH boys have completed their fourth studio album and we can't help but anticipate it with high hopes yet again.         - John DiBiase One can only hand it to these guys for bouncing back after a long period of inactivity and winning back old (and new) fans with their masterful musical efforts. It's only natural to eagerly anticipate something from House of Heroes with little reservation, and their top-spot on our list is more than deserved. We'll see that they've been brewing since Suburba this summer.         - Roger Gelwicks Easily one of the best bands in Christian rock. Their combination of pop punk and classic rock gives them a sound unlike most other pop punk groups out there today. Their last two albums have really pleased the pop punk lovers, and judging from the Halloween song they released a few months ago, their next album will make most of our top ten lists this year.         - Scott Fryberger The End Is Not The End first brought my attention to House Of Heroes. Suburba made me a full-believer. Is there any doubt that their upcoming album won't be something special?         - Nathaniel Schexnayder While Suburba was a slight step back from The End is Not the End, that does not mean the new release should be any less anticipated. House of Heroes is one of the top names in Christian rock for a reason and this should be one of the top 2012 releases. I personally hope the Beatles-esque sound returns for this release.         - Michael Weaver Visit our House Of Heroes page for more information about them... 2012 Countdown Recap: 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... Before Their Eyes, Kutless, Sarah MacIntosh, Showbread, Nine Lashes, For King & Country, SONS, Poema, Jimmy Needham, All Sons & Daughters ©January, 2012 Jesusfreakhideout.com