Album number three is always difficult to make. Album number three can also seem pretty daunting when you revolve your album around political topics when your first two albums didnât really enter that market. But Polar have done just that; theyâve dived straight into the global issue of homelessness, an issue that affects roughly 100 million people in the world. And the band have used this issue to fuel their fire to create a hard-hitting, ferocious album.
Thereâs the dark and brooding âBlood for Bloodâ which is a pleasant surprise â the addition of a gang vocals during the refrain of âAnd I can seeâ creates a sweeping, melodic bridge and a massive, anthemic chorus. âTidal Waves and Hurricanesâ is surprisingly emotional; vocalist Adam Woodfordâs cries of âFind what you love and let it kill youâ is rather heart-breaking.
The refrain alone during âDeus Ex Machineâ is enough to make hairs stand on end. Raw and powerful in every single way, it gives way to the aggressive guest vocals of Comeback Kidâs Andrew Neufeld â combined with Adamâs ferocious growls, it works splendidly to create fury-laden track, thatâs still heavily melodic. Instrumental âNo Cureâ is a fantastic breather in the midst of a storm, while âUntil the Lightâ and âDownfallâ sees speed and aggression crushed together. The re-working of âDestroyâ, taken from their 2013 release âCreate, Inspire, Destroyâ, is a nice touch too; abrasive riffs combine with hard-hitting drum work to create a more mature version. âNo Saviourâ ends this album on a high note; melodic guitar work gives way to a mountain of thunderous drum work and slabs of abrasive riffs, creating a monster of a track to end on.
From start to end, âNo Cure No Saviourâ is visceral and biting; Polar have made sure to retain their commanding presence throughout this release. What has changed is the change from personal to global issues within the album, and the step-up in production â the fat has been trimmed off these tracks, creating a release thatâs lean and powerful. It sounds huge in every single way and demonstrates the skill and talent this Surrey quintet possesses; talent that will see them being elevated above other bands within the hardcore scene.
JESS TAGLIANI