You better believe we're saving the best for last... 2020 was supposed to be a massive year for Polaris. The guys released their sophomore album The Death Of Me at the end of February (our 10/10 review here) and managed to squeeze in an EPIC Australian Tour to promote it weeks before the pandemic hit.
Then everything they had been working hard towards was stripped from them. No touring. No world domination. Nothing. And they weren't alone! This feeling, as we've read during our entire Year in Review series hit bands all over Australia, and the world. Nothing like this has ever happened before and these bands we love and adore had to adapt to the "new world norm" by connecting with fans on different levels and in my opinion, Polaris did this incredibly.
They released instrumentals of their albums online for fans to feel the music, LIVE footage from their set at UNIFY Gathering at the start of the year and even stopped by Triple J to bust out a cover of Eskimo Joe's 'Black Fingernails, Red Wine' complete with a tasty AF breakdown! There was even a wholesome moment during the lockdowns in America when a fan was filmed belting out their song 'Above My Head' at the top of his lungs on his run which caught the attention of metalcore fans around the globe.
Despite the restrictions with touring/leaving Australia, I have no doubt in my mind that Polaris helped a whole stack of fans throughout the year with their album The Death Of Me which couldn't have been released at a better time. For some it, it got us through that period with their relatable as fuck songs and for others, it'll be the soundtrack of the entire COVID pandemic that we'll have memories flooding back to us every time we hit play.
As we wrap up our Year in Review series, we had to get Mr Scream Boy himself, Jamie Hails in to talk about his year, how COVID hit him personally and what he's most looking forward to in 2021...
TOP 5 RELEASES OF 2020?
5. Orbit Culture - Nija
4. Alpha Wolf – A Quiet Place To Die
3. Lorna Shore – Immortal
2. The Midnight – Monsters
1. Bring Me The Horizon – Post Human: Survival Horror
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5uV3gmOH9g
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2020?
5. The Midnight – 'Dream Away'
4. Fit For A King – 'God Of Fire'
3. Unprocessed – 'Deadrose'
2. Architects – 'Animal'
1. Humanity’s Last Breath – 'Earthless'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2UpP10V-6U
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2020?
I didn’t watch many music videos in 2020, to be honest, but one that was a massive standout for me is Alpha Wolf - 'Akudama'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ENMe1rlA0M
Honourable Mention: Unprocessed - 'Deadrose'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnGRrWNOZ4E
LAST GIG YOU PLAYED BEFORE COVID
The last gig we played before COVID was actually part of our Australian headline tour for our new album The Death Of Me. The last show of our tour was the last gig we played, in Brisbane at The Tivoli on the 29th of February 2020.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9LFYfQn19q/
HOW DID COVID/LOCKDOWNS AFFECT YOU/YOUR BAND?
COVID affected our band big time we had a whole year + worth of tours/ gigs lined up which got cancelled/postponed until whenever we are able to reschedule the shows.
Personally, I feel like a massive part of myself has been taken away from me and there is nothing I can do about it at all. It's been a pretty rough year no doubt for everyone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuiAUi89yKA
BIGGEST THING YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF IN 2020
Good question. For me, the biggest thing I learnt about myself in 2020 would be to cherish every moment you spend in life with everyone. I’ve had a few scares in my personal life this past year in regards to family and as much as I miss being on tour playing shows an all that jazz, whether it be family, friends or loved ones, no matter what just appreciate living in the present cause you never know what tomorrow may bring.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDn0d6apfPG/
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?
Fingers crossed we can travel over to the EU/UK and perform on our upcoming Never Say Die Tour this November. Hopefully, the world returns to somewhat of a normal this year.
Words by Jamie Hails. Insta: @jamiehails
