J-Man More often than not, debut albums tend to be a rather immature expression of a sound that will be perfected on future observations, but every now and again a debut comes around that really lays its listener to waste. I Blame You is one of those albums. Released by Texan crossover thrash act Birth A.D. in 2013 for Unspeakable Axe Records, this is a stunning statement of punk-infused thrash metal with a sneering, "fuck you" attitude towards damn near everything society has to offer. If energetic riffs and angsty lyrics are what you crave from your metal, I Blame You is one of the finest options available.

I will readily admit that crossover thrash is not a genre I'm very well-versed in, but I do know that this is a fantastic observation in the same style as bands such as D.R.I. and Municipal Waste. That means that you should expect generally fast paced riffs, compact song lengths, aggressive shouted vocals, and even some "riot gang" choruses. Birth A.D. doesn't aim to reinvent the wheel on I Blame You, but they do deliver one of the strongest examples of crossover thrash I've ever heard - each track here is short, entertaining, and infectiously memorable. Though still frantic and raw, the riffs here have subtle melodic qualities that stick with the listener long after the playing time ends; the result is an album that is wildly engaging while it's on, but also catchy enough to make a lasting impression.

...and, of course, with song titles like "Bring Back The Draft", "Kill Everybody", "Blow Up the Embassy", and "Short Bus Society", it's pretty clear that Birth A.D. takes the idea of political correctness and shoves it up Tipper Gore's ass. I Blame You really has all of the qualities of a must-hear album in my book; the songs are memorable, the attitude is sincere, and the musicianship is impeccable. Birth A.D.'s entrance statement is one of 2013's most essential listens for any fan of thrash metal, punk, or just extreme music in general. Killer!