Life On The Moon (Deathwish Inc) is Modern Life Is War’s first full-length in over a decade. They have returned and are deviating from what you might expect from Punk in 2025. It does not stray dramatically from what the definition of Punk was in the mid seventies. They still carry most of the aggression, though layers of singing chime in for the chorus of “First Song On The Moon.” The guitars carry a frantic jangle rather than a Hardcore chug. “There Is A Telephone That Never Stops Ringing” finds the urgency building into an explosion. The kind of organic chaos The Stooges once kicked up.  

“Empty Shoes” explores a darker atmosphere that sounds like how you might imagine a collaboration between Radiohead and Fugazi would turn out. “Jackie Oh No” strikes a balance between the more Punk tension and the melodic brooding of the previous track by allowing it to build into an outburst by the end. “Johnny Gone” is back in a more frantic churning. There is a jagged tempo that recalls bands like Gang Of Four empowering this song, before they bring a more nineties Post-Hardcore mood to “Homecoming Queen.” 

They return to their Punk roots for “You Look Like the Morning Explosion,” at under a minute, this outburst only gives you a taste, though they expand upon venting a similar anger on “In The Shadow of Ingredion,” which has a high octane Rock ‘n Roll undercurrent. “Bloodsport” is also a legit dive in Punk, which should fit most definitions of the genre, no matter the era being referenced. This fades into the weird instrumental piece “Kid Hard Dub” that finds a sax taking the spotlight. It almost sounds like a drunk duck; however, it’s hard not to appreciate any form of experimentation on a Punk record. The band proves that you can still be every bit as uncompromising without having to just stick to four chords. 

“Over The Road” is darker, with the vocals yelling out from the reverb of a distant hallway, which comes across more like the intro to the last song. “Talismanic” opens with the album’s best riff. It’s quite impressive, despite an odd mix that places the drums further back than in the more Punk moments. Overall, what makes this album shine above other Punk releases of 2025 is its sense of adventure. It can be hooky and melodic without crossing over into Pop music and becoming a part of the industry’s assembly line, dumbing it down for the masses. Not only are they rebelling against this, but they are also giving the middle finger to conforming to the expectations of Punk, which is what Punk is about. 

If you like Punk or Hardcore in any form and want to hear what the possibilities for the genre are, give this album a listen. 

Buy the album here:
https://modernlifeiswar.bandcamp.com/album/life-on-the-moon

9 / 10
WIL CIFER
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