War On Women formed in Baltimore around 2010, with Shawna Potter on vocals, Kristen Pfaff on guitar, Suzie Craighton on bass, and Frankie Broyles on drums. Their name points directly at the sexism and oppression they write about, and their music pulls from punk's raw energy, with some metal and noise mixed in. You can hear it in songs like 'Aqua Tofana' and 'Her?' from their 2015 self-titled debut.
Their lyrics confront issues like misogyny, sexual assault, and toxic masculinity head-on. Potter's vocals drive home these themes without softening the message, making their music function as both protest and solidarity. The band followed up with 'Wonderful Hell' in 2017, which includes tracks like 'Seeds' and 'This Stolen Land' that continue in this vein.
Some listeners have found their approach too confrontational or divisive, but War On Women hasn't backed down from the criticism. They keep writing and playing with the same intensity, using their platform to challenge norms and support those facing violence and inequality.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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