Reetoxa does not ease listeners into comfort. On the new single “HMAS CERBERUS”, the artist moves directly into lived truth, confronting alcohol abuse, mental scars, and the long shadow cast by life in the defence force. Rooted in 90s Australian rock but shaped with a modern edge, this release stands as a brave and deeply human statement, one that values honesty over polish and meaning over trends.
Drawing from alternative, grunge, and classic Oz rock traditions, “HMAS CERBERUS” carries the spirit of a time when guitars were emotional weapons and lyrics were confessions. Yet this is not nostalgia. Reetoxa uses that familiar sonic language to tell a story that feels immediate and necessary, grounded in personal experience rather than performance. The single is based on the true life of Jason McKee, whose ten-year stint in the Navy continues to echo through his mental health, relationships, and sense of self.
The inspiration behind the song arrived in an unexpectedly quiet moment. Sitting in a Melbourne beer garden, watching four seasons roll through a single day, McKee reflected on alcohol use, post-traumatic stress, and the disorientation that comes from years of constant movement. In the Navy, you rarely experience that sense of seasonal rhythm. You are always elsewhere, always adapting, always surviving. That realization became the emotional backbone of “HMAS CERBERUS”, a song about where the damage began and why it lingers.
This single is brutally honest without becoming self-indulgent. Reetoxa leans into poetic storytelling, allowing the weight of the subject matter to breathe rather than forcing conclusions. Alcohol abuse is not romanticized, mental trauma is not softened, and service is shown in its complexity rather than myth. This is what makes the song stand out. It speaks to experiences often hidden behind silence, especially within military culture.
“HMAS CERBERUS” balances heaviness with movement. It is deep, reflective, and emotionally charged, yet carries a groove that allows listeners to move with it. That duality is intentional. Healing is rarely still, and pain does not always arrive quietly. Reetoxa understands that catharsis can come through motion as much as introspection.
For listeners, this single offers more than a song. It offers recognition. It speaks to veterans, to anyone navigating addiction, and to those learning how past environments shape present struggles. “HMAS CERBERUS” is not just a release; it is an act of courage, using rock music as a vessel for truth, accountability, and the possibility of understanding.