ALBUM REVIEW – Cody-James Henderson
It feels sombre to be writing something like this. On one hand, we are looking at the 3rd album from arguably Australia’s fastest rising metalcore band since Parkway Drive who are about to embark on the headline tour of a lifetime. But on the other hand, we are looking at the last pieces of work of the late great Ryan Siew who tragically passed away earlier this year.
What should be a captivating moment in the bands already stellar career, brings with it a wave of sadness and unfortunate tragedy as they progress into their next chapter without their longtime guitarist but more importantly, their best friend.
Through tragedy, however, comes triumph. So, buckle up, get comfortable (and grab some tissues if you need) as we explore the ground of Fatalism; a record shaped by the sense of despair and dystopia that has shaped the world since the 2020 covid outbreak.
“Do we all have to suffer to see, we were born to bleed”?
‘Harbinger’ gets the journey underway, almost hauntingly as it builds suspense in anthemic fashion. Its power culminates as we transcend from a clean melody into a crashing wave of harmonic breakdowns as vocalist Jamie Hails shows up, with a voice stronger than ever. ‘Harbinger’ almost serves as an extended intro track that is sure to be one hell of an opener for shows. And that’s where we find our next track ‘Nightmare’. A true testament to the sound the band is synonymous for. Its that crushing combo of melody and heaviness that has been the standout feature for so many years for Polaris.
We start to tap into the dystopian themes on ‘Parasites’. This feels more like an Architects style of track (and I mean that in the most positive way I can) compared to what we’ve already heard. Metalcore has never been shy when it comes to political corruption, and Polaris pull no punches here. Even the traditional clean vocals of Jake Steinhauser are traded for a harsher approach. Short and sweet, but one of the more captivating songs I think the band have ever released (and possibly one of my new favourites).
“Where do I shelter when it’s raining inside?”
If you were a fan of the personal themes of Polaris’ 2020 album The Death of Me then ‘Overflow’ will absolutely hit you were it hurts the most. Even more personal now I feel after the passing of Rian, this will be the track to get everyone screaming and letting out anything you’ve been bottling up for to long. The same could be said about ‘With Regards’. A chance to reconnect with someone you lost or let go, Jamie captivates you with his lyrical output here giving the listener a chance to place themselves in his shoes whilst tying it back to their own experiences.
If you were able to see Polaris earlier in the year, you would’ve been lucky to have heard ‘Inhumane’ in the bands setlists before its release. And yet, I don’t think anyone was prepared of just how heavy this one was going to be. Its riff work and breakdowns keep your head banging for the entire 4 minutes. Sure, it feels like your standard metalcore track, but sometimes that’s what you need.
One thing I can say I’ve loved about this album so far, is the catchiness of its vocal work. A big chorus is a lost art in modern metal, but not for Polaris. ‘The Crossfire’ is a prime example of this. This feels like a song that was created with the audience in mind. It’s a track that reflects why Polaris deserve to be playing some of the biggest venues not just in Australia but globally. And its breakdown? Bonkers. Don’t be surprised if this shows up in your ’On Repeat’ playlists anytime soon.
“So, I’ll sink. Searching for an answer with a stomach full of stones.”
We tap back into a personal dystopia with ‘Dissipate’. Chalk this up as potentially the heaviest song Polaris has ever done. Its bleak, captivating, memorable for all the right reasons. If there was a song to show someone to get them into Polaris, this would be it. And again, its powerful melodies give it so much character, its hard-to-find fault even if you’re searching for it.
Remember earlier when I said you may want to get yourself some tissues? You may need them after all for ‘Aftertouch’. Jake brings together a world of sadness and pain in the first half that will move you tears right before Jamie ties it all together with a crushing second half. A ballad at heart with a metalcore twist, this will get some souls emotional.
As we reach the closing moments of the album, ‘Fault Line’ serves it purpose as a penultimate track. Whilst catchy, I find it to be one of the less captivating tracks on the album. ‘All In Vein’ also falls into this category but its not without its moments. Its structure and dynamics do give it character, but it just doesn’t hit to the same degree compared to the rest of the album.
Fatalism as a collective is a superb album in every sense of the word. At times, it could absolutely be considered the best collection of work the 5-piece have created. But even if it isn’t your favourite, I still think fans will keep a piece of this album with them forever. It’s hard to think of how Polaris could become any bigger than they are now, but Fatalism will send them right up the ranks as one of the best metalcore bands in the world today.
Rating: 9/10
Standout Tracks: Harbinger, Parasites, The Crossfire, Dissipate
You can catch Polaris on tour in Australia this September with special guests August Burns Red, Kublai Khan & Currents
