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Ryan Siew, Polaris Guitarist, Has Died

Ryan Siew, guitarist for Australian metalcore band Polaris, has died at 26. At this time, a cause of death has not been revealed, but the musician previously spoke of recent “health scares.”

The band broke the news about Siew’s passing on Instagram sharing the following statement:

“It is with shattered hearts & the deepest sorrow that we tell you our dear brother and bandmate Ryan Siew passed away on the morning of Monday June 19. He was 26 years old, and for 10 incredible years he was our best friend and artistic soulmate. Those years will never be enough. He was kindhearted and clever, he was funny and brave and creative, and he was talented beyond all measure. He loved art, and beauty in all its forms.

He loved great food in great company. He loved Harry Potter and psych-thrillers and crime documentaries. He loved music, more diversely than you could ever imagine, and spoke its language in ways that only the rarest among us do. And most of all, he loved & adored his family & friends. He was also much admired and beloved by so many. Ryan, we will love and miss you for the rest of our days, and we will never fill the hole that you leave in all of our lives.

“Our hearts are with his family first and foremost, but also with all those whose lives he touched. We ask that you please respect the wishes of Ryan’s family for privacy at this time, and likewise that you give us, our team and family the space to grieve & attempt to heal from this immeasurable loss. We know that you will be grieving with us and that we, and our community, will hold each other through this.

“In loving memory of Ryan Siew
18.3.1997 – 19.6.2023
May you be at peace

“Daniel, Jake, Jamie & Rick”

Back in January, Siew shared an Instagram post from a hospital bed. At the time, he said she recently fought a battle with “constant brain fog and lethargy” and was “no longer on any anti-depressants.” He also said he was experiencing “health scares,” but mentioned the post was a positive one.

Siew joined Polaris as lead guitarist in 2013. His work can be heard on 2017’s The Moral Coil and 2020’s The Death of Me. A third album, Fatalism, is due out on September 1st.

Our thoughts go out to Siew’s loved ones during this difficult time.

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Ashley Perez Hollingsworth

Ashley Perez is a freelance music journalist based in Chicago. Her work has appeared on AXS, Chicago Innerview, New City, The Millions, and Illinois Entertainer. She also runs her own music blog at Radio Not Found. Some of her favorite bands include Nirvana, The Cure, Muse, Creeper, and Green Day.

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