Polaris – The Guilt & The Grief

Originally published on Alt Media

I’ve only been at my desk for half an hour today, but I’m already getting strange looks from my co-workers and my heart is already racing. I can’t blame my morning coffee this time, today this is all due to Sydney hardcore band Polaris’ new EP.

The six track offering opens up powerfully with the bands best track to date, 'Regress'. The Guilt & The Grief is packed with fast bass pedal hits and charging guitar riffs, with a blend of harsh and clean vocal from Jamie Hails. Throughout the EP, Hails' voice is something to behold as he effortlessly flows between the two techniques, with his clean vocals a particularly surprising standout (these can often be something bands in this genre fail to pay full respect and care with).

There is however one thing holding the EP back from being a truly memorable outing for Polaris, the tracks fall into the trap of repeating the formula that they found worked in the opener. That is not to say this record isn't worth checking out, but it's more likely that only one or two tracks will really sink their hooks in your memory, rather than the entire body of work.

***1/2

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