20.05.2025 Polaris

Graspop Metal Meeting

Dessel (Belgium)

As I said, today was a real walking day, and so it was from the South Stage all the way back to the other end of the festival grounds to the smaller Jupiler Stage. I was genuinely surprised when I arrived as I hadn’t expected it to be that packed. Because of that, I could only watch the show by Australian metalcore band Polaris from a bit further back.
Even though they’ve only been around since 2012 and have released just three albums, they showed quite impressively that they’re a strong live band. Vocalist Jamie Hails mentioned that he couldn’t give 100% due to a sore throat, but you wouldn’t have noticed it at all throughout the set. Quite the opposite. Together with his bandmates Rick Schneider on guitar, Jake Steinhauser on bass, and Daniel Furnari behind the drum kit, they delivered a powerful performance that fully carried the crowd in front of the stage. Whether it was circle pits or wild jumping to Hails’ shouted “Bounce! Bounce!”, there was constant movement both on and off the stage. The setlist offered a good mix from all three albums ("The Mortal Coil" from 2017, "The Death Of Me" from 2020, and their latest release "Fatalism" from 2023). And of course, a solid wall of death at the end was a must.
I have to say: hats off. The guys from Down Under didn’t reinvent metalcore, but they delivered a thoroughly convincing package. Hard‑hitting moments alternating with calmer parts, great interaction between the band and the crowd, and an overall outstanding atmosphere. I almost felt a bit sorry for the security staff, as crowdsurfers were arriving nonstop at the front. No wonder the area in front of the stage stayed so tightly packed until the very end that you could barely move. I think that for a future appearance, one of the main stages should definitely be considered. They’re certainly no longer a hidden gem and absolutely a band I’d recommend seeing live if you get the chance.