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KAINE
After Extinction

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 8/10

Arguably one of the hardest working bands in metal, British combo Kaine returns for their fifth full-length instalment, and mainman Rage Sadler has decided to rebuild once again after 2019 opus Reforge The Steel.

This time around Kaine is an edgier, less New Wave Of British Heavy Metal-inspired beast and one that opts for thrashier tones. There’s a new vigour, a new logo and a sound that drifts somewhere between mid-tempo Exodus and old UK thrashers Toranaga.

The band still boast a sound that drips with swirling melody – just check out the thrash-cum-Iron Maiden offspring that is ‘Protesting For Profit’ with its sneering riffs yet melodious streaks. Sadler remains unwavering in his quest for driving, metallic anthems, but when you hear ‘A Slave To The Grind’ you’ll be surprised at the band’s venomous new direction.

After Extinction is one hell of an angry album, but fair play for Sadler for grabbing the bull by the horns and dragging his band out of the murky, yet often stale waters of quintessentially British dullness, because although their previous records were all solid it was clear that an injection of something was needed.

Even so, the band is still able to insert more subtle segments into their works, with the aforementioned ‘A Slave To The Grind’ being a fine example, but there’s so much snappiness on show here. ‘Second Coming (The Cycle)’ has an Accept-like aggression to it, ‘New Age Martyr’ is essentially a thrashier Iron Maiden musically, and the title track chugs nicely too. I’ll be interested to hear how these tracks fit in with the live show, although as exhibited with the title track and ‘Green To Grey’, the band is more than happy to occasionally drift back to type.

I’m glad Rage Sadler has enabled the band to progress within its moniker. I guess the other option would have been a complete name change, but now that After Extinction has emerged there’s a sense of freedom within the ranks, meaning that Kaine can now roam wherever it wishes and explore new worlds. These guys, under whichever line-up, have always deserved more and I hope this platter will expose them to a bigger audience.

Neil Arnold

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