Polar – Shadowed by Vultures

Hardcore Growth

UK metalcore band Polar makes an album that shows great potential for new music development in their genre. Maturity of this nature is significant, considering the band is still quite young. Formed in 2009 and on their second full-length album, the guys of Polar have reached out and stepped back from pushing an image that it a tired presence in hardcore.

With Adam Woodford voicing the band, Fabian Lomas and Max O’Neill on guitars, Rick Keenan kicking bass and Nick Jones on drums Polar debuted with This Polar Noise EP in 201l, followed by the first full-length album Iron Lungs in 2012. Inspire Create Destroy EP was presented just last year before the latest gem, Shadowed by Vultures.

Inviting guest vocalist Ellie Price (frontwoman from Signals) on “Before the Storm” was an amazing show of artist cooperation, especially when it comes to crossing styles. Another example would be when they play “Paradise,” an incredible romantic instrumental drift completely omitting Adams bellowing vocals.

This album represents so much growth and transcendence. It’s an album to be had by any pundit in the field. The anxious anticipation of this album was the rumors of its divergence from hardcore. As it turns out, however, here is no separation from the hardcore with this release– only new expression.

Without leaving their standard of the genre’s roots behind, this album has opened a new door. Melodic melodies accompany much of this album, but the core of the music cannot be overshadowed. “Blood Lines,” “Glass Cutter” and “Vipers” are some examples of the basics for the class sound.  And for the fans of the previous release Inspire, Create, Destroy, the song “Create” will be a much welcomed echo.

Congratulations to Polar for expanding their own music while remaining faithful to their hardcore roots.