Three years on from the tragic passing of Polaris guitarist Ryan Siew, the surviving members of the long-running Australian metalcore outfit have delivered a song in their fallen bandmate’s honor. Dubbed “Without You,” their tribute is likewise the first song from Polaris since Siew’s death.
A press release explains that the new track finds the outfit “at the crossroads of grief and exhilarating sonic potency,” and indeed, on “Without You,” the band explores loss, survivor’s guilt and “suffering in silence” across as series of hefty riffs and hard screams. They then lean into a melodic, contemplative chorus.
“Never did we imagine that we would one day have reason to write this song. But three years on, we find ourselves still making sense of this immeasurable tragedy, and what it has meant to be left in the wake,” the members of Polaris expressed in a joint statement. “This is the sound of crushing loss, shock, grief and heartache, and the beginning of us learning how to share that with the world.”
The track has also been fit with a music video that includes imagery of the band’s time with Siew, which is contrasted by “solemn visuals of the members performing in a stark, empty cathedral.”
As previously reported, Polaris announced Siew’s passing in September 2023; he was 26 years old. “He was kindhearted and clever, he was funny and brave and creative,” the band had noted of their fallen friend at the time, “and he was talented beyond all measure. He loved art, and beauty in all its forms.”
“Without You” follows Polaris’ Fatalism album from 2023, which was released just days before Siew’s passing.
Polaris are due to perform as part of I Prevail’s upcoming “Violent Nature” European tour, which also features Gore. Amira Elfeky had been expected to travel with them, but she recently pulled out of the tour, citing “unexpected logistical reasons out of our control.”