One of the fastest-rising bands in modern metalcore, Australian group Polaris shows their musical ancestors how it’s done with their third album, Fatalism (SharpTone Records). As they break through the scene, the quartet continuously grows with their refinement of the genre, pulling off a sense of timelessness for a style that some of their peers have fallen under the radar trying to keep alive.
Fatalism nails all the beloved defining aspects of metalcore, from banging breakdowns and ruthless screams to moving melodies and spacey ambience. That said, the tracks that stand out the most are the ones that break away from the formula of heavy screamed verses and clean-sung melodic choruses. “Parasite” is a nonstop thrasher of pure anger and resentment, all the way down to the “I hope you choke” sendoff of the breakdown.
The raging “Inhumane” is also almost entirely screamed, but with some spoken vocal fry and subtle harmonies thrown in to follow the dynamic instrumentals, and the bass intro that drops into blazing riffs as astral synths is satisfying with every listen, and the chilling pitch shifts and glitching tremolo of the guitar solo hit like an alien abduction in a mosh pit.
“Aftertouch” briefly slows the energy down, yet is one the heaviest-hitting tracks emotionally. Its gradual build-up from timid melodies and ambient keys to arguably the most menacing breakdown on the whole album demonstrates the full sonic spectrum of Fatalism, putting each level in the context where it can shine the brightest. The hooks stick longer when repeated throughout the slow brewing ride, while the massive riffs and sinister screams make their entrance like a freight train to provide the perfect payoff.
“The Crossfire” reels in the replays with its simple but effective chorus and one of the earwormiest guitar riffs on the record – next to the hypnotic swoops and slides of “Dissipate” that will instantly move in to the back of your head for rent-free living. However, the subtleties in the instrumentals are Fatalism’s true backbone. Distant cascades of notes pour through tracks like “Nightmare”, “Overflow” and “Fault Line” to underline the emotive vocal lines, while pummeling drums emphasize every twist and turn.
With Fatalism and each album before it, Polaris reminds old-school metalcore-heads why they fell in love with the genre in the first place. Nostalgic yet fresh, bands like this are what keep the scene relentlessly thriving.
Buy the album here:
8 / 10
COLLEEN KANOWSKY