War Killer By Reetoxa Is What Punk Sounds Like When It Still Means It

There are certain kinds of tracks that sound like written half drunk in a studio where no one’s trying to be careful—just plain, honest thoughts spilling over before anyone could try to filter them. War Killer by Reetoxa sounds exactly like that, giving you something that leans into instinct rather than polish.

After the light, indie film-like feel of The Lisa Song, Melbourne-based band Reetoxa returns with their first venture into political songwriting. War Killer was inspired by what they describe as a “surreal moment” during Melbourne’s lockdown, when Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un were seen meeting in peace.

The track opens with pounding drums and distorted guitars, giving you no time to breathe and settle in. At its core is the classic, raw punk energy that feels messy, urgent, and unfiltered. His vocals intensify that atmosphere, adding the right amount of roughness, edge, and conviction until the end of the track.

But what makes War Killer stand out isn’t how loud or chaotic it is. It’s the fact that its intensity feels intentional rather than empty—saying things that need to be said without that polished, fake revolutionary aesthetics. You just gotta love how they managed to sound confused, relieved, and angry all at once, especially right at the point where the “unstoppable threat” suddenly doesn’t look so unstoppable anymore.

All in all, War Killer by Reetoxa is a biting, old-school punk track in today’s scene that is starving for music that actually risks saying something.