Polaris - The Death of Me (2020)Release ID: 17392
OK, it was actually this album The Death of Me that got me interested in Polaris, via a couple awesome songs that I included in my earlier Revolution playlists. Those songs made me excited to hear the rest of the album and this band's material, and I'm extremely glad to have done it. This album might just be the best of 2020!
The Mortal Coil is a mind-blowing breakthrough for Polaris after their two EPs, and the perfection is maintained in The Death of Me which already solidifies their reign in the Australian metalcore scene. The sophomore full-length release from this band offers more prog-ish darkness and maturity. They continue to expand their boundaries as they continue their saga without losing steam.
Opening track "Pray for Rain" starts melodic, but frontman's Jamie Hails' screams rise as the intricate instrumentation builds up. Then finally, they drop the divebomb, exploding into their usual technical metalcore sound, and adding to the brilliant mix is the clean singing of bassist/vocalist Jake Steinhauser. Such a well-structured standout that I almost feel like stopping the album right there because how much the song is worth repeating. Fortunately, I'm still going, and we have the ultra-heavy "Hypermania". The vocals are all just screams from both Steinhauser and Hails. With lots of heavy groove, that song is indeed so hyper and manic! "Masochist" is a a f***ing phenomenal song to share, with metallic hardcore vibes from Bring Me the Horizon, Periphery, and Loathe. This underrated sh*t might just be one of my favorite metalcore songs!
That song and "Landmine" are the two songs from my earlier Revolution playlists that got me into listening to this band, the latter being another one of the best songs here! First track from this band I listened to and that really made me pay more attention to them. That insane breakdown really crushes and revives my soul. This band's heaviness shall wipe out the fluffiness of the mainstream. This band can combine some of the nu metal of Stray From the Path and Slipknot with the metalcore of Architects and The Devil Wears Prada. Or just be Make Them Suffer without female singing and with Northlane-like riffing. "Vagabond" hints at a different direction the band would have later, adding a bit of mainstream nu metal while standing by their usual technicality. This might actually reach some radios if the killer harsher side doesn't keep ripping through. Moving things along is "Creatures of Habit", another true show-stopper with more of the brilliant riffing and drumming, the latter well-executed by Daniel Furnari. An incredible blend of light and heavy is utilized so smoothly. Steinhauser and Hails both perform cleans and screams to double up the vocal intensity, made even more ultimate by a bit spoken vocals. I'm also astonished by the versatile guitars performed by Rick Schneider and Ryan Siew, the latter I wish I could've heard more of if not for his passing. RIP
"Above My Head" is another song with some pretty timeless greatness. A light clean songs follows that is "Martyr (Waves)". It starts with some beautiful cleans and melodies to fit the atmospheric soundscape, though there's still a bit of the screamed vocals. This is worth introducing any non-metal friends to the genre. Crashing through again is the deep "All of This is Fleeting". Twisting things up well is an ultra-heavy breakdown after those frantic verses and dramatic chorus. Finally, the metalcore power of "The Descent" hits you like a bullet-train. F***ING INCREDIBLE!!! It's moments like the last third of the track that makes you wonder why this band isn't so highly popular.
I believe The Death of Me can certainly hit metalcore fans in waves of excitement. Polaris continue breaking down the walls and one of the best-growing metalcore bands out there. For their incredible talent shaking the world, I am proud of those guys!
Favorites: "Pray for Rain", "Masochist", "Landmine", "Creatures of Habit", "The Descent"
