LIVE REVIEW: Polaris, Silent Planet, Thornhill, O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, 03/03/2024
Photo Credit: Kevin O’Sullivan
Seven months on since the release of their latest ear shattering, earth shaking and brutally impactful record Fatalism, Aussie metalcore outfit Polaris are back this side of the pond and they are looking devilishly hungry and ready to feast upon a sold out show at Kentish Town’s O2 Forum and bring even bigger and better fatal destruction in their wake. But that isn’t unnoticeable without a tinge of sadness, making their UK return with one less member and a gaping hole in the bands personality with one of the saddest hardships that have hit all too many of our most loved bands in the scene with the passing of guitarist and much loved human Ryan Siew. But honouring Ryan’s unforgettable memory and having a blast is something Polaris balanced to masterclass levels of perfection as they returned to London with one hell of a bang.
In Polaris company comes fellow Aussie outfit Thornhill. Taking to the stage in their new found sizzling style that has come with their makeover album Heroine, which got its glory tonight with the explicitly sexy Cassanova, Raw and Leather Wings taking flight, alongside their super sultry new song Obsession making every single person swoon over their sophistication. However, promising to play their heaviest set to date in social media posts leading up to their support tour with Polaris, Thornhill didn’t disappoint giving firm fan favourites Views From The Sun, set closer Where We Go When We Die and Dark Pool deep cut Coven; a crushing outing. Beautifully heavy and strikingly sophisticated in all the right places, Thornhill exhibited every inch of themselves from their old to the new found form done with dignity, dancing and a shed load of screaming. 10/10
Next up, special guests Silent Planet pulled out all the stops for a show that proves this band are from a different dimension of the metalcore sphere. Starting off strong with set opener Offworlder, immediately the immaculately suave vibes from Thornhill are transitioned into what can only be described as a metalcore rave. Mid set vocalist Garrett Russell is quick to mark out that “London this is the biggest show we have ever played. You have no idea what this means to a small band from California” before continuing on the heavy party into the night with newer number Antimatter, a pure and utter banger. Wrapping up their set before the mighty Polaris come out to play on a more poignant number, closing with Trilogy depicting an emotional and menacing full time during Russell’s life. Bringing their metalcore rave to the masses, Silent Planet brought the heavy party to this Polaris extravaganza. 10/10
Taking their place at the top finally comes tonight’s headliners Polaris. Putting the audience through their paces starting off on a slower note with track one Harbinger taken from their latest LP Fatalism this was bound to be a emotional show for the band with the recording process for said album started with guitarist Ryan Siew, frontman Jamie Hails taking a moment in their set admits a roar of Ryan chants to address Siew’s importance and much missed absence in the band saying “Someone who should have been with us tonight is not. He made this record with us.”
Polaris wasted no more time in putting their feet on the accelerator pedal and going and driving at full speed into Hypermania, Pray For Rain before making it to closer The Remedy Polaris turned Kentish Town into crowd surf city, bodies flowing over the barriers at a steady speed and bodies screaming out in pure delight at some of their favourite songs of the night.
No bullshit, no egos, just live and positivity, Polaris prove their rise through the metalcore ranks as now some of the most elite in the game. With a sold out show exhibiting the thrills of the highs and lows of life in a band, Polaris put on a neck breaking show nevertheless. 10/10
Written By: Katie Conway-Flood
