The Mark Of Cain

Songs Of The Third And Fifth

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/4700315-The-Mark-Of-Cain-Songs-Of-The-Third-And-Fifth

Year Of Release: 2012

Review

I’ve been a fan of Adelaide-based The Mark Of Cain since I was in high school. I knew about them (via skateboard magazines) when I was younger (and had a Battlesick sticker on my wardrobe), but I didn’t have access to any of their albums. When I enthuse about The Mark Of Cain to people unfamiliar with the band I say things like “imagine if Joy Division was crossed with Helmet”. It’s a somewhat unimaginative take, and I don’t think it really covers the breadth of what this band plays, but it kind of gives you an inkling.

It had been 11 years since the last album when this one was released, and I was stoked to hear that it was being released. It’s a pounding, brutal piece of work, with heavy instruments and drill sergeant like vocals. But there are also fantastically musical bits on the album too, like the last 30 seconds of Separatist – which is just a great moment that makes me stop whatever I’m doing and listen, regardless of how many times I’ve heard that track.

The Mark Of Cain has been touring pretty regularly over the last few years, and I’ve been fortunate to see them more than a handful of times (after first seeing them play at Livid in late 1995). Things are changing for the band but as far as I’m aware they’ll continue to put out the kind of music that they have been renowned for for the last forty-something years. If you get a chance to see them live – don’t hesitate.

Standout tracks for me are the aforementioned Separatist, Barkhammer, Milosevic, and Grey 11.

Rating: 8.5/10