What does War on 45 sound like?

A blistering onslaught of hardcore punk anthems, brimming with political fury and raw energy. Rooted in hardcore punk. Start with "Liar for Hire".

Is War on 45 a good place to start with D.O.A.?

Yes, War on 45 is recommended as a starting point for new D.O.A. listeners. A blistering onslaught of hardcore punk anthems, brimming with political fury and raw energy. Released in 2005, War on 45 marked D.O.A.'s return to the punk scene following a hiatus since their previous album, 1996's Live at the End of the World. As veterans of the Canadian punk movement, this album demonstrates their enduring commitment to addressing political issues through aggressive sound and quick tempos.

Who is War on 45 for?

War on 45 works well if you're into short bursts of high energy, politically charged urgency and frantic listening for adrenaline.

How many songs are on War on 45?

War on 45 has 8 tracks, running approximately 20 minutes.

War on 45

D.O.A. · 2005

20 min · 8 tracks · hardcore punk

A blistering onslaught of hardcore punk anthems, brimming with political fury and raw energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

→
Liar for Hire Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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War — This track encapsulates the album's overarching theme with its direct commentary on conflict and militarism, showcasing D.O.A.'s hallmark intensity.
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Class War — In under two minutes, this track delivers a scathing critique of class inequalities, reflecting the band's longstanding focus on social justice.
→
I'm Right, Your Wrong — This song exemplifies the band's sharp wit and confrontational style, directly challenging prevailing ideologies with energetic instrumentation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The EP delivers high-energy punk anthems with strong political themes, though its appeal may be limited to hardcore fans.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a relentless tempo, with aggressive guitar riffs and shouted vocals that set a confrontational tone.
Each song typically features a verse-chorus structure, but the choruses often include multiple repetitions of key phrases for emphasis.
The final track, 'Class War', slows down slightly compared to the preceding songs, allowing for a more reflective conclusion.

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

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short bursts of high energy
politically charged urgency
frantic listening for adrenaline
for quick sessions

Maybe skip if you

prefer slower, drawn-out tracks
seek melodic, soothing vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — Resonates with dedicated fans for its political themes and hardcore energy.
Themes: political fury· class war critique· militarism commentary
Career context: Released in 2005, War on 45 marked D.O.A.'s return to the punk scene following a hiatus since their previous album, 1996's Live at the End of the World. As veterans of the Canadian punk movement, this album demonstrates their enduring commitment to addressing political issues through aggressive sound and quick tempos.
Stylistic neighbors: Dead Kennedys· Black Flag· Minor Threat