Ryan Siew: A tribute to an Aussie guitar legend

Ryan Siew is a well-known name in Australia’s metal and alternative music scene. Ryan was the lead guitarist for Polaris and his amazing musicianship, songwriting skills and humble personality made him popular all over the world. Australia’s heavy music scene was devastated by his abrupt death in June 2023, but his impact lives on in every riff, solo and emotive lyric that made Polaris’ sound unique.

This article looks back at Ryan Siew’s life, how he became famous in the Australian metal scene, his unique guitar style and the strong legacy he left behind.

Early life and musical beginnings

Ryan Siew was born and raised in Sydney, New South Wales, where he was surrounded by Australia’s lively and changing music scene. He started playing guitar when he was a teenager and according to his posts on social media, he got serious about it around 2008. From the start, what set him apart was his attention to melody and accuracy.

He started posting videos of himself playing guitar and covers online, which got the attention of Sydney’s small but dedicated metalcore community. The first uploads showed a player who was not only technically skilled but also expressive. They could make complicated riffs sound smooth and natural.

Joining Polaris and the road to success

Ryan Siew started working at Polaris when he was only 15 years old in 2013. The band from Sydney were still figuring out what their sound was like at the moment. Ryan’s arrival was a turning point for Polaris. His guitar skills helped the band move towards a more polished, progressive and emotionally complex version of metalcore.

Dichotomy (2013), their debut EP together, laid the groundwork for what would soon become one of Australia’s most popular modern metal bands. Ryan’s clear voice, innovative wording, and live enthusiasm caught people’s attention when Polaris played at local venues and festivals.

In 2017, the band’s debut album, The Mortal Coil, was well-received. Polaris received numerous positive reviews and was even nominated for an ARIA Award, making them one of Australia’s most exciting heavy bands in recent years. Ryan’s guitar work on songs such as “Lucid” and “Consume” demonstrated his ability to mix technical brilliance and emotional depth.

Their next album, The Death of Me (2020), did even better, charting high on the ARIA charts and bringing Polaris’ music to many more people throughout the world. Fans commended Ryan for combining melody and heaviness in a way that few other guitarists in the genre could.

A signature playing style

Ryan Siew’s playing style was unique because it combined technical skill with strong emotional impact. He was a guitarist who knew that speed and strength are as important as feeling.

Some of his most famous traits were:

• Clean, articulate tone: Even during fast passages, every note remained defined.
• Melodic phrasing: his solos created stories instead of just showing off his skills.
• Progressive influences: Ryan got ideas from bands like Periphery and Architects, which gave Polaris’ music a current guitar tone.
• Tight rhythm work: His tight rhythm technique was a big part of what made Polaris’ live shows so compelling.

He helped write the songs, adding riffs and arrangements that made them more emotive.

The tragedy that shook Australia’s metal scene

Reports surfaced on June 19, 2023, revealing Ryan Siew’s death at the age of 26. His Polaris bandmates told fans the sad news on social media, saying:

“We are very sad to tell you that our dear brother and bandmate Ryan Siew died on the morning of Thursday, June 19. He was 26 years old.

Fans and other musicians all throughout Australia were shocked by the news. Many musicians from both the local and worldwide music communities paid tribute to Ryan, calling him a “musical genius” and a “gentle soul”.

The band asked for privacy for his family and did not say what caused his death. Even though they were sad, admirers came together to celebrate his creativity and the difference he made in such a short time.

Ryan Siew’s legacy lives on

Ryan Siew’s life was tragically short, yet his impact is still felt. His work with Polaris ushered forth a new age of heavy music in Australia, one that combines violence with emotion, accuracy with vulnerability.

Polaris’ last recorded performances are on his third studio album, Fatalism (2023), which was released after his death. The CD is both a farewell and a tribute to his art. Many admirers say that listening to it is sad because it reminds them of how talented he was and how much emotion he contributed to the band’s sound.

Ryan Siew’s legacy goes beyond his music. He also inspires thousands of young Australian guitarists to play. He showed that it’s possible to go from playing little shows in Sydney to the world stage if you work hard, are real, and have a creative vision.

How Australia remembers Ryan Siew

People all around the country continued to pay respect to him following his death. Many sites acknowledged his importance, including Sydney venues that hosted Polaris’ inaugural gigs and well-known Australian radio networks such as Triple J.

According to writers, Ryan was a new type of Australian musician since he could communicate stories through music and perform it well. Fans keep his memory alive by creating cover videos, performing in his honour and talking about him on social media.

His narrative has sparked discussions on how important it is for musicians to be aware of mental health issues in general. Many individuals believed that his death served as a reminder of how difficult it is for artists on tour and how important it is for the creative community to continue to support one another.

Notable works

You can hear Ryan Siew’s music on every major Polaris release:

• Dichotomy (2013) was his first EP with Polaris. It shows how rough the band was in the beginning.
• The Mortal Coil (2017) is their first album, and it was nominated for an ARIA award. It has strong riffs and emotive themes.
• The Death of Me (2020) was a mature, professional album that helped Polaris reach more people throughout the world.
• Fatalism (2023) was released after his death. It was the last chapter of his artistic journey and a way to honour his life through music.

Why Ryan Siew’s story matters to Australians

Ryan’s story really speaks to Australian fans because it shows what makes the local music scene outstanding: skill, humility and community. He proved that world-class art could come from practice rooms in the suburbs and small shows.

Australians may learn from his life that creativity and passion can connect individuals who live far apart. Ryan brought the passion of Australia’s combative music culture to audiences all across the world, from the Central Coast to tours abroad.

Conclusion

Ryan Siew was more than just a guitarist; he was an artist whose music resonated deeply. His legacy lives on in the records he helped make, the fans he inspired and the musicians who follow in his footsteps.

For Australian music fans, his name stands for both victory and loss: the victory of talent and hard work and the loss of a great young musician too soon.

Ryan Siew’s music will live on as long as people keep playing The Mortal Coil, The Death of Me and Fatalism. It will always be a reminder of what Australian ingenuity can do on the world stage.