ALBUM REVIEW: Five Arrows – Polar

Metalcore heavyweights, POLAR, are back with their latest record Five Arrows. Their newest release comes after a major line-up change last year where only founding member and vocalist, Adam Woodford was left to carry the torch and rebuild, turning something negative into something positive and exciting. Their latest record itself acknowledges the previous year’s hardship by exploring the destructive properties when it comes to the power of change, and what we’re left with something brutal, loud and undeniably angry.

Opening with We Won’t Sleep, we are immediately greeted with what will become a signature sound heard throughout the album which is grunge meets industrial meets metalcore. In other words: harsh and straight to the point. Yet there’s still more to it than that with the use of distorted sound effects that give you late 90s/early 00s nu-metal style, whilst also bringing in modern influence with electronic sounds that draw comparison to artists like MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and BRING ME THE HORIZON.  

If there was to be a simple phrase to summarise the record, it would be fun, brutal chaos. Yet on a deeper level, it’s a record that explores the different emotions when it comes to something drastic and unprecedented happening in your life, with a strong focus on feelings related to frustration, anger and, to a point, disgust. A healthy way to get it out if you will.

For the most part, POLAR keep it interesting by incorporating different sounds, elements, and styles, however they do on occasion fall into the trap of some songs sounding a little samey. Don’t get us wrong, they’re good songs, but tracks like A New Mentality and All Hail The Tyrant are very much in the category of ‘heard before a hundred times over’. Sometimes even heard a little earlier on the same record.

Yet these moments are rare, and most of the album feels fresh and exciting, (or rather brutal), when it comes to the different genres brought in. From Dawn Of A New Age that explores industrial gothic rock and horror punk with killer guitar riffs, haunting sound affects and even blending some screams into the production; to The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Violence that leaves you nostalgic of heavier 00s rock that experimented with screamo and deathcore (‘but not real deathcore or screamo!’ someone shouts in the distance); all the way to closing track, and aptly titled, Closing Curtain that brings in everything fun, dramatic and theatrical.

Angry, unfiltered and pure fun. Whether you require something to give you energy or motivation, or you want to scream along to something as you deal with your own problems, POLAR has you covered with Five Arrows.

Rating: 7/10

Five Arrows is set for release on November 22nd via Arising Empire. 

For more information on POLAR like their official page on Facebook.