Brothers John and Kim Scott launched the aggressive Mark of Cain in Adelaide, Australia, during 1984. John handled guitar while Kim anchored the low end, and the initial configuration added vocalist Rod Archer alongside drummer Roger Crisp. Archer departed within a year, prompting John to assume lead vocals. Crisp also exited and was succeeded by John Rickert, who himself departed following the group’s first single in 1988. Campbell Robinson then claimed the drum seat. The Dominator imprint issued Battlesick in 1989. Unclaimed Prize appeared the following year. Robinson stepped away and Aaron Hewson took over behind the kit. Unclaimed was tracked with Steve Albini in 1991 yet surfaced only in 1993. The fourth album, Viet Vet, arrived in 1994. A connection developed with admirer Henry Rollins, who licensed Battlesick for American release on his 2.13.61 imprint in partnership with Thirsty Ear. Rollins helmed 1995’s Ill at Ease for RooArt, which brought the band its greatest domestic visibility. Sustained road work and repeated festival appearances further elevated their standing. Hewson exited that same year, allowing Campbell Robinson to return. Rock & Roll, featuring reworkings by the Young Gods and Godflesh, surfaced before the close of 1996. BMG Australia’s RA affiliate remastered and reissued the entire catalog in late 1998; the material was also collected in the box set The Complete Recordings 88-98 and supported by an Australian tour. Robinson vacated the drum chair for a second time and was briefly succeeded by Stuart Baguley. Following a hiatus, the Mark of Cain resurfaced in 2001 with the Retaliate single on RA, their most intense material to date, featuring former Helmet member John Stanier on drums.
