Polaris (Australian band)

Polaris
Polaris
Background information
Origin	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres	Metalcore; progressive metal; post-hardcore;
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Resist, SharpTone
Website	polarisaus.com
Members	Jamie Hails; Daniel Furnari; Ryan Siew; Rick Schneider; Jake Steinhauser;
Past members	James West; Matt Steinhauser;

Polaris are an Australian metalcore band.^[1] The band consists of vocalist Jamie Hails, guitarists Ryan Siew and Rick Schneider, bassist Jake Steinhauser and drummer Daniel Furnari. They released their debut album The Mortal Coil on 3 November 2017 to critical acclaim and it was nominated for the 2018 ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock.^[2] On 14 November 2019 Polaris announced their second full length titled The Death of Me, released on 21 February 2020 through Resist/SharpTone records subsequently earning their second ARIA Award nomination. .^[3]

Polaris are known for blending elements of metalcore and progressive metal with post-rock soundscapes, electronics and melodic hooks, intertwined with personal lyrics — often dealing with anxiety, depression and loss.

History[]

Early career (2012–2013)[]

Polaris was formed in 2012 by drummer Daniel Furnari and Jake Steinhauser on guitar after meeting at their high school battle of the bands, quickly discovering a mutual love for metal and alternative music. The two then recruited guitarist Rick Schneider and vocalist Jamie Hails through mutual friends and word of mouth. Matt Steinhauser, Jake's brother, was brought on board to handle bass duties and completed the line-up with James West on synth/keys. The group began working on music together writing and recording their first single "Summit" and the majority of the Dichotomy EP in early 2012. In late 2012, Polaris announced the departure of both Matt Steinhauser and West. Guitarist Jake then switched onto bass to focus on his singing, as the band was pushing towards a more progressive sound.

The band began looking for a new guitarist, holding public auditions. On 18 November 2013, the band announced Ryan Siew as their new guitarist, who was 15 years old at the time.^[4] Shortly after joining the 'Dichotomy' EP was released on 29 November 2013 independently.^[5]

The Guilt & The Grief (2014–2016)[]

On 3 March 2015, the single "Unfamiliar" was released; it was the first track to feature Siew as lead guitarist. Polaris continued to write and finished an additional 5 tracks to complete their second EP titled The Guilt & The Grief. The EP was recorded with Sonny True Love and Evan Lee at STL studios on the North Coast of NSW, and it was mixed by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland of Atrium Audio in Pennsylvania, USA. The Guilt & The Grief was released independently by the band on 29 January 2016 and landed at #34 on the ARIA charts.

The Mortal Coil (2017-2018)[]

On 3 November 2017, Polaris released their first studio album The Mortal Coil through Resist Records and Sharptone Records. The album was nominated for the 2018 ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album as well as for the Australian Album of the Year award at the J Awards.

The Death of Me (2019-2020)[]

On 21 February 2020, Polaris released their second studio album The Death of Me, also through Resist Records and Sharptone Records. The album has been nominated for the 2020 ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album.

Members[]

Current

Daniel Furnari – drums (2012–present)
Jamie Hails – unclean vocals (2012–present), clean vocals (2017–present)
Rick Schneider – rhythm guitar (2013–present), lead guitar (2012–2013)
Jake Steinhauser – clean vocals (2012–present), bass (2013–present); rhythm guitar (2012-2013)
Ryan Siew – lead guitar (2013–present)
Scott Morrison - pyrotechnic (2020-present)

Former

James West – synthesizer, keyboards (2012-2014)
Matt Steinhauser – bass (2012−2013)

Timeline[]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of studio albums
Title	Details	Peak chart positions
Title	Details	AUS ^[6]	GER ^[7]
The Mortal Coil	Released: 3 November 2017 Label: Resist, SharpTone Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl	6	—
The Death of Me	Released: 21 February 2020 Label: Resist, SharpTone Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl	3 ^[8]	39

EPs[]

List of EPs
Title	Details	Peak chart positions
Title	Details	AUS ^[6]
Dichotomy	Released: 29 November 2013 Label: Independent Formats: CD, digital download	—
The Guilt & the Grief	Released: 29 January 2016 Label: Independent Formats: CD, digital download	34

Awards and nominations[]

AIR Awards[]

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.


Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2021	The Death of Me	Best Independent Heavy Album or EP	Won	^[9]^[10]

ARIA Music Awards[]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.


Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2018	The Mortal Coil	Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album	Nominated
2020^[11]	The Death of Me	Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album	Nominated

J Award[]

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.


Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
J Awards of 2018^[12]	The Mortal Coil	Australian Album of the Year	Nominated

References[]

^ Callan, Alex (1 February 2018), "Polaris are Australia's best kept secret", Forte
^ Moran, Robert; Nathanael, Cooper (11 October 2018), "Amy Shark leads the 2018 ARIA nominations in another big year for women", The Age, retrieved 17 May 2019
^ Newstead, A (14 November 2019), "Polaris announce Australian tour for new album, The Death of Me", Triple J
^ Burris, Cameron (10 January 2014). "Guitar Virtuoso Ryan Siew Interview". Groovey TV. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
^ nathann. "Polaris - Dichotomy | Reviews". Killyourstereo.com. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Discography Polaris". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
^ "Discographie von Polaris". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
^ "Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced". The Music. 2 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
^ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
^ "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
^ "The J Award 2018". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2020.

[1] Callan, Alex (1 February 2018), "Polaris are Australia's best kept secret", Forte

[2] Moran, Robert; Nathanael, Cooper (11 October 2018), "Amy Shark leads the 2018 ARIA nominations in another big year for women", The Age, retrieved 17 May 2019

[3] Newstead, A (14 November 2019), "Polaris announce Australian tour for new album, The Death of Me", Triple J

[4] Burris, Cameron (10 January 2014). "Guitar Virtuoso Ryan Siew Interview". Groovey TV. Retrieved 21 January 2020.

[5] thann. "Polaris - Dichotomy | Reviews". Killyourstereo.com. Retrieved 21 January 2020.

[AUS-6] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Discography Polaris". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.

[GER-7] "Discographie von Polaris". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 28 February 2020.

[8] "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.

[TM-20210602-9] "Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced". The Music. 2 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.

[AIRwins2021-10] "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2021.

[ARIA_2020_Noms-11] "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.

[2018winner-12] "The J Award 2018". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2020.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

hide Authority control
General	ISNI 1 VIAF 1 WorldCat
Other	MusicBrainz artist