Polaris | Pier Bandroom
@destroyalllines
Polaris, along with fellow heavyweights Inertia, Ocean Grove, and Bloom (who didn’t appear in Melbourne), brought their regional tour to The Pier Bandroom in Frankston, delivering an unforgettable night of modern metalcore. The venue’s unique layout and packed crowd created an electric atmosphere that set the perfect stage for Polaris and the supporting acts to showcase their explosive performances. Having never been to The Pier Bandroom before, I was excited to experience a new space, and it did not disappoint.
Inertia took the stage first, hailing from Sydney. Led by Julian Latouche on vocals, the band kicked things off with Dominion from their upcoming album Second Shadow. Dressed in all-black, they brought an immediate burst of energy, moving in sync as they played through their set. Tracks like Heavy Eyes and Parallels from their previous EPs connected well with the crowd, but it was their unreleased song Static that truly captivated the room. Their final track, Too Far Gone, ended their set on a high note, earning them a wave of applause and setting the stage for the rest of the night.
Throughout Inertia’s set, fans may have spotted Polaris’ vocalist Jamie Hails near the barrier, casually mingling with the audience. Despite being the night’s headliner, Jamie showed his humility and love for the scene by watching the support bands from the crowd. Fans approached him for photos and brief chats, and Jamie obliged with a smile, keeping interactions short and respectful so he could still enjoy the performances. It was a wholesome display of camaraderie, adding to the sense of community that filled the venue.
Next up was Ocean Grove, a band I had previously seen at the more intimate Sooki Lounge. This time, with a bigger stage to command, they brought a fresh energy to their performance. Kicking off with FLY AWAY from their upcoming album ODDWORLD, the band wasted no time getting the crowd moving. Luke Holmes made a triumphant return to the stage with a powerful performance of Stratosphere Love, marking a special moment in their set. Other standouts included the bass-heavy Guys From the Gord and the ever-catchy Sunny. They closed their set with their iconic track Junkie$, a personal favorite and a perfect way to wrap up their explosive performance.
Then it was time for Polaris, a band I’ve been following for years, to take the stage. As they launched into their opening track The Crossfire from their latest album Fatalism, the crowd erupted. The energy was palpable, and Jamie Hails immediately took control of the stage, feeding off the crowd’s intensity. They followed up with the emotionally charged All of This Is Fleeting, before diving into fan-favorite tracks like Masochist and All In Vain.
A particularly memorable moment came when Jack Bergin from Void Of Vision made a surprise guest appearance, joining the band to perform Hypermania. Jack’s powerful guest vocals added an extra layer of intensity, taking an already hard-hitting track to new heights. The collaboration between the two vocalists was electric, with the crowd fully engaged throughout the song.
Another standout element of the night was Jessie from Windwaker, stepping in to fill the role of the late Ryan Siew. Jessie’s performance was seamless, delivering a heartfelt tribute to Ryan with every note, and the band’s unity was on full display. Polaris delivered a setlist that spanned their career, including a rare performance of Sonder, which they hadn’t played live in 6-7 years. The crowd was thrilled to hear the older material, and the band balanced it perfectly with newer tracks, showing their evolution while staying true to their roots.
Jamie took a moment to engage with the crowd, thanking everyone for their energy and support. He acknowledged Bloom, who couldn’t make the show, and urged the crowd to give everything they had for the final song of the night, Inhumane, their first single from Fatalism. There was no encore planned, so Jamie encouraged everyone to go all out, and the crowd responded with a surge of energy as the band played through the powerful final track.
As the last notes of Inhumane rang out, Jamie grabbed the setlist, folded it into a paper airplane, and sent it flying into the crowd—bringing a fun and fitting close to the show. The Pier Bandroom erupted in cheers as Polaris left the stage, marking the end of their regional tour with a performance that exceeded all expectations.
The night was a testament to the strength and passion of the modern metalcore scene, with each band delivering standout performances. Polaris proved once again why they are one of Australia’s leading metalcore acts, blending flawless musicianship with emotional depth and crowd-driven moments. Ryan Siew, you are deeply missed, but your spirit lives on through the music and the band’s legacy.