*REVIEW* POLAR., IRON LUNGS, 06/07/12

With their very iconic full stop that grammatically sums the band up, Polar., have a very unique and a instantly likable style; based in the hardcore genre, but with a much more punky feel and grittier vocals. It can be said they hold a mixture between Every Time I Die, Glassjaw, and Gallows – but that’s not really it. After seeing them live numerous times, supporting a variety of different bands, we assure you that their live shows are very hectic and will definitely get you moving – much like their recent release, Iron Lungs, the band’s debut album that’s full of twangy basslines, roaring hooks, snarling vocals, but still a good balance of melody and atmosphere amongst the chaos around it.

Opening track, K.C.M, has a vigorous rhythm with the compilation of severe and powerful drum beats, guitar chords and slightly fuzzy distorted lyrics from Adam Woodford, giving the piece a bit of a grungy aura. This atmosphere flows nicely into the next song, Sick Old Buzzard, which is a very strong track, gloriously featuring the British gang vocal chants and clever drum fills to keep the song fresh.

First track released from the album, H.E.L.L, packs a real punch with a very effective stylised monochrome video featuring the vocalist being buried alive and spitting his sinister growls from his coffin. This tune feels much more formulaic than others on the album. However, Polar’s loose morals and rioting attitude continues to shine through and aids the creation of the bands reckless and resilient image. After a halt, followed by a drawn out silence, the final angsty breakdown hammers the last nail in the coffin.

The album is broken up perfectly with the ambient and emotional non vocalised title track slips in a contrast to the rest of the album. Although it is the only track on the album that we would class as peaceful, it still fits in, and with a quick tempo change, does pick up into a head banging introduction to the second half of the album, which much like the first, is straight-up, balls-out, kick-ass, thrashy punk hardcore at its best.

Finishing on a screechy Gallows type number, For King and Country, explodes onto the frontline with a banging riff and drum line. With fast paced lyrics about warfare and patriotism, we can imagine that this album live will be an anarchistic and frantic event with fans screaming the words back at Woody, but twice as loud. The album definitely shows the bands incredible hard work and passion behind their music, and where their distinctive sound may not resonate with other hardcore fans, the band has definitely progressed into a frenzied and untamed but comfortable sound. “If you raise Hell, you better be ready to control it”.