Polaris - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 6th July @ SOPO, Gold Coast QLD
PolarisSOPO, Gold Coast QLDJuly 6, 2024Supports: Ocean Grove and BloomI caught up with RickSchneider from Polaris for a friendly chat just before they set off on their Regional Australia Tour 2024, and managed to find out there would be a couple tracks off Fatalism on the setlist that haven't been played live yet; 'All In Vein' being one. Being such a special occasion, I had to see this first hand of course!Joining Sydney's fiercest metalcore kings on the vast field of stages required a powerhouse homegrown lineup and they did not disappoint. Opening up the night for some rowdy chaos, melodic hardcore outfit BLOOM stepped up to the plate and hit a home run with their short but sweet set doing more than just warming-up the audience's limbs for the later onslaught. No matter the tone they set with each song, ranging from hardcore slams to melodic clean leads, they had the crowd in the palms of their hands.Taking things to a whole other level, Oddworld nu-metal mythological beings Ocean Grove opened with latest single 'Fly Away' and tripped out the crowd to another planet with their intense grooves and flawless flow. Killer vocal performance from both DaleTanner and Twiggy, you can't help but love the switching from main vocals to bass between the pair. As a whole experience, they sounded absolutely huge in every live aspect, from the digital prowess of the synths and resoundingly booming drums, to the low end chugs and defining stellar grooves. A must see live band for those who haven't.Filling the sold out venue with bassy hums and motionless dark blue lighting, building the excitement and anticipation among hundreds of fans cheering as the boys walk on together.Beginning the set with 'The Crossfire' is a huge deal, as one of the previously unplayed tracks on the Fatalism Album Tour setlist, the crowd put a 110% into showing their appreciation yelling the chorus lyrics back as hard as the band sang it themselves. Good things come in threes and conveniently enough our next triplet of bangers were all from The Death of Me. Vastly popular track (and last to receive a music video on TDOM) 'All of This Is Fleeting' had a sea of hands waving back and forth to gripping chorus lyrics "and I won't let go if you beg me too" delivered Jamie Hails extending his hand back to the audience. Now it's time for the party to begin, hardcore slam track 'Hypermania' sent energy levels through the roof when Jamie daringly asks "wanna fuck shit up tonight?". Last words were never more famous as their most untamed, destructive track sends the masses into a frenzy of a pit and crowd surf, that's the kind of passion we love to see at shows. Continuing straight into 'Above My Head' gave the people some short moments to catch their breath while Rick and Jesse Crofts slayed the technical riff duties giving you time to appreciate how great their sound is.Doing the usual quatre-point talking section of the show while everyone tunes and rehydrates, Jamie announces that this next song ('Overflow') in the set is dedicated to our dearest missed Ryan Siew. The crowd chants his name in love and support for our fallen brother as they softly lead in Fatalism single 'Overflow', now lyrically bound to a new meaning. A completely raw and emotionally fueled performance from Polaris, causing screams and singing to vocally crack, and switched up to a higher and more brutal register to compensate, which was executed flawlessly. Unheard live for a long time now, one of The Mortal Coils most ruthless tracks 'Sonder' makes a nostalgic reemergence to the setlist and you could tell it was sorely missed. The outro guitar stabs and vocals were as devastating live as they were 7 years ago, truly impressive. Harbouring the aggression and transitioning it seamlessly into intense barbaric tune 'Dissipate'. Being such a vocally intense song you'd think there would be some struggle halfway through the set but every note is hit and the reverb is on point. Attacking with a deathcore directed register Jamie decimates the breakdown unleashing deep gutturals we haven't heard since Dichotomy.A lot of people resonate with fan favourite 'Masochist', it really showed tonight. The opening synth intro extended gave people enough time to grab the ones they came with and sing the starting lyrics as loud as they could. Composing the audience's voice, Jamie gives everyone a chance to scream their favourite song's lyrics providing back up when he deemed necessary, retaking over duties for us to enjoy. Like 'The Remedy', 'Masochist' is one for the ages and I can't see it being taken off a setlist anytime soon. Familiar newer release 'With Regards' was played every night on the Fatalism Album Tour and it looked like muscle memory to them, such a tight performance and wrapped us back around to their more melodic, breathable catalogue. A second wind reinvigorates the crowd when classic banger 'The Remedy''s bouncy, head-banging riff sets off the crowd to non-stop circle pits and jumping up and down.Closing the show with a Fatalism triplet, Rick Schneider spilled on our last conversation that 'All In Vain' would make its debut and the time and finally come. I know Rick said there might be some "skewed faces" for this performance, however, there was nothing but full confidence and adrenaline pumping throughout. Giving DanFurnari the spotlight for a moment with an extended drum intro, everyone gathers the last of the energy, ready to give it all for these last three tracks. Bassist/vocalist Jake Steinhauser's voice retains its strength the entire set and projects powerfully with every word, the harmonies between Jamie and himself are something else. Ending singles 'Nightmare' and 'Inhumane' outro the night with all singing word for word, taking in their last memories of an outstanding show.I can see how they honoured Ryan within the set by including something from every album he put into, and they did a fantastic job. The sound and lighting techs were great, everything felt sequential and fired off at the right points. I've seen Polaris in a few places around the world now over the years, but this tour feels special, and I think a lot of people who went to a show will agree.Review & Gallery by Ed Atlas (@YourFavouriteMerchGuy)Please Credit Wall Of Sound and Ed Atlas if you repost photosOcean Grove[gallery type="square" ids="https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-1.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-2.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-3.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-4.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-5.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-6.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-7.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-8.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ocean-Grove-9.jpg|"]Polaris[gallery type="square" ids="https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-5.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-6.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-7.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-8.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-9.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-1.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-2.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-3.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-4.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-10.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-11.jpg|,https://wallofsoundau.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Polaris-12.jpg|"]
Polaris – Australian Regional Tour 2024with Ocean Grove, Bloom, and Inertia
WEDNESDAY 10 JULY: BLAZES SHOWROOM, TAMWORTH NSW (18+)^THURSDAY 11 JULY: PANTHERS, PENRITH NSW (18+)^FRIDAY 12 JULY: WAVES, WOLLONGONG NSW (18+)^SATURDAY 13 JULY: DRIFTERS WHARF, CENTRAL COAST NSW (18+)^ – SOLD OUTSUNDAY 14 JULY: BEER DELUXE, ALBURY NSW (18+)^ – SOLD OUTWEDNESDAY 17 JULY: PRINCE OF WALES, BUNBURY WA (18+)*THURSDAY 18 JULY: SHELTERS BREWING, BUSSELTON WA (18+)*FRIDAY 19 JULY: LOOP, JOONDALUP WA (18+)* – SOLD OUTSATURDAY 20 JULY: BRIDGEWAY HOTEL, ADELAIDE SA (LIC AA)* –SOLD OUTSUNDAY 21 JULY: CIVIC HALL, BALLARAT VIC (LIC AA)*THURSDAY 25 JULY: ODEON THEATRE, HOBART TAS (LIC AA)*FRIDAY 26 JULY: FORTH PUB, FORTH TAS (18+)* – SOLD OUTSATURDAY 27 JULY: WOOL EXCHANGE, GEELONG VIC (18+)* – SOLD OUTSUNDAY 28 JULY: THE PIER, FRANKSTON VIC (18+)* – SOLD OUT
^ with Bloom* with Inertia
