Sydney metalcore favourites Polaris have returned with their first new music in three years, releasing the deeply personal new single “Without You”.
The track was written in the wake of the death of guitarist Ryan Siew, who passed away in 2023 just months before the release of the band’s third album, Fatalism.
Three years on, Polaris have turned the grief, shock and heartbreak of losing their bandmate and close friend into one of their most vulnerable songs to date.
“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,” Polaris said in a press release.
“This is the sound of crushing loss, shock, grief and heartache, and the beginning of us learning how to share that with the world.”
Musically, “Without You” balances that emotional weight with the intensity Polaris have built their reputation on, moving between caustic vocals, crushing riffs and melodic choruses before a guitar solo and ferocious breakdown bring the track to a punishing close.
The single arrives alongside a similarly affecting music video, which places the remaining members of Polaris performing inside a stark, empty cathedral. Imagery drawn from throughout the band’s history is woven through the clip, reflecting on their past with Siew while looking towards what comes next.
Siew’s death inevitably changed the context surrounding Fatalism, which arrived in September 2023 and became a posthumous testament to the guitarist’s work with the band. The record debuted at Number One on the ARIA Albums Chart, was named triple j’s Feature Album and later won Best Independent Heavy Album at the 2024 AIR Awards. It also earned Polaris nominations at the ARIA Awards, J Awards and Australian Music Prize.
The years since have seen the band continue to tour heavily. In 2025, Polaris made their Knotfest Australia debut and appeared at festivals including Download Festival, Rock am Ring, Rock im Park and Big Pineapple Music Festival.
This year, they launched their own curated Life’s A Beach festival, supported Linkin Park on their Australian arena tour, and joined Electric Callboy across North America.
Polaris will next head to the UK and Europe with I Prevail across September and October before returning home for Good Things Festival in December.
“Without You” by Polaris is out now.
