Review: Polaris at Metro City

Polaris at Metro City
w/ August Burns Red, Kublai Khan TX, Currents
Thursday, September 7, 2023

Heavy music fans embarked on a cathartic journey on Thursday night as Polaris commenced their nationwide Fatalism tour in Perth. What unfolded was not merely a concert but a heartfelt connection, shared by both the band and their dedicated followers. Mourning the loss of fellow band member Ryan Siew, Polaris channeled their vulnerability into a poignant tribute to the late guitarist, giving everybody in their community an opportunity to mourn collectively.

Before Polaris took the stage, the audience was treated to an onslaught of blistering sets by three powerhouses of the scene: Currents, Kublai Khan TX and August Burns Red.

Currents were up first, unleashing a high-octane sonic display that ignited the crowd into a frenzy and set the tone for the night. Tracks like Kill the Ache, Better Days and Death We Seek had the audience completely immersed.

Taking the stage up next, Kublai Khan TX came out swinging with an unapologetic intensity that awakened the primal instincts of the crowd. Frontman Matt Honeycutt's charisma and commanding stage presence held everyone in rapt attention. His scorching vocal performance and unwavering energy levels maintained a feverish pitch throughout the entire performance, compelling the audience to open up lively circle pits on more than one occasion.

August Burns Red took the reins next, leaving an indelible impression on the audience with a masterclass of a set, demonstrating why they have cemented themselves as one of the most respected names in the scene.

There was an extra layer of camaraderie added to the night by all three of these bands hanging out in the foyer, engaging with fans and extending the photo-op sessions well beyond the usual timeframes. After chatting with some of the Currents' band members, it was clear that they had a sincere appreciation for all of their dedicated supporters in Australia and genuinely enjoyed meeting everybody.

Taking the final spotlight of the evening were the highly anticipated headliners, Polaris, whose arrival on stage was met with an electrifying response from the audience. The setlist for the night promised a captivating fusion of beloved classics and live debuts from their latest album, Fatalism.

The set commenced with a trio of live debuts, starting with Harbinger, and swiftly followed by Nightmare and With Regards. Judging by the deafening chorus of voices that reverberated throughout the venue in unison with lead singer Jamie Hails, the fans had all done their Fatalism homework.

Hypermania and All of This Is Fleeting were pivotal moments that ignited the audience with a visceral energy that surged right through the moshpit. Parasites, Consume and Landmine were also high points of the set, however the emotional apex came during Martyr (Waves).

Before the song began, Hails took a moment to offer a profoundly moving tribute to the late Ryan Siew. With heartfelt sincerity, he opened up to the audience and demonstrated an incredible level of vulnerability.

“I was so scared to be back up on this stage and you guys have given us that strength to be up here. To let us heal together in this beautiful community that we have. Thank you so much. This song is for you. This song is for Ryan."

The closing chapter of the main set arrived with Masochist and Inhumane, two powerful tracks that left the audience breathless and clamouring for an encore.

Naturally, Polaris made their return to the stage for an encore that packed a powerful one-two punch with Pray for Rain and The Remedy. These concluding melodies echoed throughout the venue, ending a set that transcended the boundaries of a typical concert; it was a cathartic release, a unifying force, and an opportunity to mourn.

The evening felt like a sanctuary for the band to heal with their fans and find solace together in the music they love so much.

It was special.

HARRISON JONES

Photos by Linda Dunjey