What makes War All the Time by Poison Idea notable?

War All the Time is notable for its critical reception within the hardcore punk community, often hailed for its intensity and lyrical depth. The album helped cement Poison Idea's influence on subsequent punk bands and was pivotal in shaping the sound of late '80s hardcore, leading to enduring respect and recognition in punk circles. Released in 1987, War All the Time marked Poison Idea's second studio album, solidifying their place in the hardcore punk scene following their debut, Pick Your King. At this point, the band was gaining momentum after a series of successful live shows and growing underground recognition, further pushing the boundaries of punk with their unfiltered sound and socially charged themes.

How many songs are on War All the Time?

War All the Time has 12 tracks, running approximately 29 minutes.

War All the Time

Poison Idea · 1987

29 min · 12 tracks · hardcore punk

Aggressive riffs and raw energy collide with darkly introspective lyrics, defining the chaotic essence of hardcore punk.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Temple — The opening track sets a frantic pace, establishing the album's aggressive tone while addressing themes of societal disillusionment with striking urgency.
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Romantic Self Destruction — This track juxtaposes personal despair with biting sarcasm, showcasing the band's ability to blend humor and darkness in their commentary on relationships.
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Marked for Life — A standout moment that encapsulates existential dread, this track's relentless pace mirrors the chaos of feeling trapped by one's circumstances.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album's aggressive sound and introspective lyrics define its place in hardcore punk, though it has some uneven pacing.

What we noticed

The first half of the album maintains a relentless pace with aggressive guitar riffs and fast tempos, while the second half introduces slower, more introspective tracks.
Several songs feature abrupt tempo changes, creating a jarring effect that enhances the chaotic feel of the music.
Lyrically, the album explores dark themes and personal struggles, often delivered with a raw vocal style that matches the intensity of the instrumentation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Temple 2:43
2 Romantic Self Destruction 2:37
3 Push the Button 2:02
4 Ritual Chicken 0:58
5 Nothing Is Final 2:21
6 Motorhead 2:44
7 Hot Time 3:13
8 Steel Rule 3:23
9 Typical 1:42
10 Murderer 2:24
11 Marked for Life 2:57
12 New Rose (ghost track) 2:21

What to play next

Listen next

Feel the Darkness

1990

Go back to

Kings of Punk

1986

Full Poison Idea discography Artists like Poison Idea

hardcore punk

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