Review Summary: For Ryan
With the announcement of their 3rd album earlier this year, Polaris, Sydney’s metalcore export, there were high expectations. After establishing themselves as a new force in the metalcore world with their 2017 debut ‘The Mortal Coil’, follow up ‘The Death of Me’ while a perfectly fine and capable album, felt like a step down from their debut. ‘Fatalism’ saw a chance for the band to regain their touch. But tragedy struck, the band’s highly talented and well regarded guitarist Ryan Siew unexpectedly passed away on June 19th at only 26 years old. Ryan was the heartbeat of the band and his passing led to an outpouring of grief from all over the metal world where for that immediate time, the music obviously took a backseat.
With the album being completed by his passing and music videos filmed and in the editing suite, the band pulled together through their grief to gift Ryan and their, final piece of art to the world. ‘Fatalism’ is a big leap forward. Album opener ‘Harbinger’ is a slow burner but opens up into the familiar sound and world that Polaris inhabit. Lead single ‘Nightmare’ contains the Polaris formula with strong lead vocals as always from Jamie Hails, bassist and clean vocalist Jake Steinhauser’s chorus which does come across as formulaic but the hook is undeniably there. ‘Parasites’ then picks up the tempo blasting in through the speakers to a song that will surely be a hit in a live setting.
Hails also provides his deeper singing voice which contrasts well with Steinhauser’s higher vocal delivery which is demonstrated with ‘Overflow’ and ‘With Regards’. The ‘With Regards’ chorus will be sure to become an earworm after a few listens. Hails though will always be at his best with his screams and other single ‘Inhumane’ showcases that with the frontman’s strong vocal delivery and Ryan laying down a head banging riff and a welcome solo, with the accompanying ending breakdown. ‘The Crossfire’ kicks off the undeniably stronger back half of the album with a kick ass groovy riff, a stronger clean chorus and drummer Daniel Furnari providing some fast fills and keeping up the strong tempo.
Album highlight ‘Dissipate’ kicks off with a machine gun riff that reminds one of ERRA’s ‘Gungrave’ and immediately gets the head moving. The strongest chorus on the record kicks in and then it’s Furnari also coming to the forefront putting the double foot pedal to good use with some clean blast beats. The lyrics leading into one of the most earth shattering breakdowns you’ll ever hear show a lyrical theme present throughout the record of longing and loss which has permeated with Ryan’s passing.
‘’So I'll sink, searching for an answer
With a stomach full of stones
These thoughts are like a cancer
Growing in my bones’’
‘Aftertouch’ starts slower and is an atmospheric track before we jump into a typical Polaris finale ‘All in Vain’ with a cool synth, nice ambience and really gives the record a great finality. All members combine beautifully here with Ryan and Rick’s crushing guitars, Siew with his signature tapping, Furnari taking care of business behind the kit, Jamie’s signature screams, a breakdown and Jake’s vocals ending it all on a high note.
With this release, Polaris end a chapter of their band's career on a sad, but very high note. Will this garner new fans? Sure. But this one is for their longstanding and loyal fans who will find catharsis in its 46 minute run time.
To end, these lyrics for me sum up what this release is all about
‘’We all deserve to be
Held like a memory
But some will never know’’
RIP Ryan.
