The Mark of Cain To Release 'This Is This' On Vinyl

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of their seminal album This Is This, The Mark of Cain are releasing a limited-edition deluxe 2LP reissue.

The first-ever vinyl version of the classic album contains two bonus tracks from the album sessions, including a previously unreleased extended mix of 'Lockdown' by album co-producer Andy Gill of Gang of Four, along with the band's punishing 2002 Live at the Wireless session for triple j, recorded by the album line-up of Josie Scott, Kim Scott and drummer John Stanier, formerly of US band Helmet.

"This Is This was an oft-used quote we used from Michael Cimino's film The Deer Hunter to describe a situation which just "was". Often used jokingly by us, it also underscored the idea of having your shit together – a state of being I often struggle with; however, that's never stopped me from pointing it out as a deficit in others…" says Josie. 

This Is This, the fourth album from The Mark of Cain and first to feature Stanier, was recorded in Sydney and London in 2001 and produced respectively by ABC engineer Phil McKellar and former Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill.

"There were three people that I really admired, guitar-wise, and their live music, and I got to work with Rollins, got to work with Albini, and Andy Gill of Gang of Four. They were a huge influence on me and working with them was the greatest thing I can think of, out of this whole musical endeavour," explains Josie.

The album ended up a hardcore classic that has aged like a fine wine.

"We developed near all these songs in rehearsals with John Stanier back in 2000, working up some that were near fully fledged to others that were merely riffs that Kim and I and John Stanier had," says Josie.

"I took all the complete and incomplete songs to the UK in 2001, to finalise and record the vocals working with Andy Gill from The Gang of Four who really pushed me out of my comfort zone for vocals. Knocking is still a favourite of mine from that time, as is Lone Pine and note that Lockdown has the opening guitar riff played by Andy Gill himself. John Stanier's drumming style fit perfectly for us, and his powerhouse drumming is on full display in songs such as 'Cut Em Down', 'Familiar Territory', 'One Day Late in December', 'Sleep' and 'Outsider', a song which was based off a Stanier bass/guitar riff. The overall mix was achieved by Phil McKellar who really, finally, managed to capture our sound."

The 25th anniversary deluxe vinyl edition of This Is This will be released Friday 20 November via the band's own Black Box Records. Pre-orders available now via tmoc.com.au and all good indie record stores.

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Not only are The Mark of Cain releasing a vinyl edition of This Is This, but the trio have been playing a handful of special shows performing tracks from the record alongside a host of fan favourites and a selection of brand-new material set for their upcoming sixth studio album.

After decimating Brisbane ZED51 Festival over the weekend, The Mark of Cain have three dates left across November, hitting Max Watts in Melbourne on Friday 13 November, Manning Bar in Sydney on Saturday 14 November and Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide on Saturday 21 November. Tickets for all shows are on sale now via tmoc.com.au.

The 25th anniversary deluxe vinyl edition of This Is This is out Friday 20 November via the band's own Black Box Records. Pre-orders available now via tmoc.com.au. Catch The Mark of Cain performing at Hindley Street Music Hall on Saturday 21 November. Tickets on sale now via tmoc.com.au.