Consume by Polaris, is the near-perfect song, and here's why.
There is almost nothing about this song that isn’t perfect. Technical, melodic, aggressive… Gravitas for days!
Polaris — Consume || 19/20
Consume is the fourth track off the Polaris album, The Mortal Coil. This album is incredible. It is up there with some of the best albums of modern metal. I would argue it has a great case for the top spot, along with one or two Architects albums, earlier While She Sleeps, Gojira.
This is why
Sonic Magic || 4/5
This production is one of the best examples of modern metal production, with a huge guitar tone, great vocals, excellent drum production, and big low end. There is nothing not to like.
It just falls short of the sonic magic that is Metallica, but not by much.
Musicianship and technical proficiency || 5/5
I used to follow Ryan Siew on Youtube, before I became aware of his involvement with Polaris. He is a prodigy guitarist from Australia, and I used to try to learn the Killswitch Engage songs from his videos on Youtube. If memory serves, some of his early covers, he was only 13 years old. Maybe even younger.
The rest of the musicians, are some of the best in the industry, and easily some of the best in the genre.
Both guitarists are exceptional. More importantly, their style is truly unique.
The drummer is extremely talented and his complimentary playing, when to synchronise, when to leave room, when to question, when to answer, is impeccable.
The harsh vocals, are on par with the best, if not outperforming the best in the industry, Sam Carter, Oli Sykes, Loz Taylor, in that style of delivery.
Overall composition & Surprise || 5/5
This track breaks the rules. Lyrically, I suppose you could argue there is a chorus. Compositionally, there is only one section with clean vocals, with what sounds like a chorus, however, it comes around only once.
The song is so dense with music, drum nuances, and variations that don’t repeat (like the intro). It is directional. The entire song has a deliberate experience of forward progression.
It is a statement of music.
It demands your attention.
It is unquestionably, unboring.
Vocals || 4/5
The harsh vocals on this track is simply phenomenal. I think it is close to being my favourite in this style of delivery, challenged only by Loz Taylor for top spot.
The only reason I do not score this 5/5, is because, by comparison, the clean vocals do not match up to the quality of the harsh vocals. The bassist does the majority of the clean vocals singing, and I really like the vocal line and melody. It just does not compare in terms of quality, and to be honest, it is this song’s only blemish, if you were hard-pushed to identify one.
Lyrics || 5/5
Do yourself a favour and read the lyrics to this track. I would do it a disservice to paraphrase and analyse the lyrics on your behalf.
Melody/Riff || 5/5
This opening riff catches your ear and it never loses your attention. The pure songwriting density, from a guitar perspective in this track, is some of the best riffing I have ever heard.
The breakdown is unusually creative. It builds up and smashes your face in with one of the best riffs I have ever heard. And then it has a solo. It is unexpected in the most satisfying way.
This guitar playthrough, where Ryan Siew hits that last note, and the expression on his face is something that was brought to my attention by my brother-in-law, Henk, and now that I have seen it (03:09), I cannot unsee it.
Drums & Percussion || 5/5
It is rare to find such an original, perfectly-complementary piece of drum composition as you find in this track.
The drums leave space when the guitar composition is dense. It creates incredible accents when it needs to, it is everywhere and especially dense, but never steals thunder from the guitars or vocals with nuances and intricacies everywhere to be discovered.
Feel || 5/5
This song feels like it demands attention. And it makes it all the more rewarding. It does not have the Rammstein danceability, but it doesn’t frustrate the listener.
It reminds me of Soilwork and Children of Bodom. The drums are inseparable from the guitars in terms of composition. It feels like all the string instruments are fundamentally integrated with the drums. A spacetime of metalcore perfection.
Emotional epicness || 4/5
The guitar tone, the aggression of the riff, the precision of the composition, the intensity of the vocals, and the playfulness of the guitar solo…
It leaves you energised. It leaves you in awe.
About These Reviews
Reviewed according to the principles discussed in this article.
