ReeToxA isn’t here to play it safe — and his new single “HMAS CERBERUS” makes that clear from the first moment. Rooted in ’90s Australian rock but sharpened with a modern edge, the track pulls from alternative, grunge, and raw rock energy to deliver something that feels both familiar and deeply confronting.
At its core, HMAS CERBERUS is a brave and unfiltered reflection on alcohol abuse and the mental damage tied to life in the defence force. This isn’t storytelling from a distance — it’s lived experience. Based on the true story of Jason McKee’s ten-year stint in the navy, the song examines how those years continue to echo long after the uniform is gone.
The inspiration is strikingly visual. Set against a moment in a Melbourne beer garden, the song captures a man watching four seasons pass in a single day, triggering memories of constant travel at sea — a life where stillness and familiarity were rare. That contrast becomes a powerful metaphor, forcing a reckoning with PTSD, drinking, and the emotional cost of service.
What truly makes HMAS CERBERUS stand out is its brutal honesty. The lyrics don’t soften the edges or dress up the truth. Instead, they lean into poetic realism, allowing the weight of the story to speak for itself. There’s no grand gesture here — just raw reflection, grit, and the kind of songwriting that stays with you because it’s real.
In a genre often driven by attitude, ReeToxA delivers substance. HMAS CERBERUS doesn’t just revisit the spirit of ’90s Oz rock — it gives it purpose, turning distortion and grit into a vessel for truth.
‘HMAS CERBERUS’ is fearless storytelling — raw ’90s-inspired rock carrying a deeply personal truth that refuses to be ignored.
Connect With ReeToxA on Spotify
