Polaris guitarist Ryan Siew has died, aged 26.
Today, June 28, the band took to social media to break the news. According to the band’s statement, Siew died on Monday, June 19. A cause of death was not disclosed.
“It is with broken hearts [and] deepest sadness as we tell you our dear brother and bandmate Ryan Siew passed away on the morning of Monday June 19th. He was 26 years old and for 10 incredible years he was our best friend and artistic soulmate,” Polaris wrote in their statement.
“He was kind-hearted and smart, he was funny and brave and creative, and he was talented beyond measure. He loved art and beauty in all its forms… And most of all, he loved [and] loved his family and friends. He was also greatly admired and loved by so many. Ryan, we will love and miss you for the rest of our days and we will never fill the hole you leave in all of our lives.”
The band also asked fans to “respect Ryan’s family’s wishes for privacy at this time and also to give us, our team and family space to grieve [and] trying to heal from this immeasurable loss. We know you will grieve with us and that we and our community will stick together through this.”
Siew joined Polaris in 2013, a year after the band’s formation, and soon after they released their debut EP ‘Dichotomy’.
Polaris was touring Europe at the time of Siew’s death, having performed at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium the day before his passing. On June 20, the band announced on social media that they would be canceling all remaining dates on their European run to deal with “a serious personal crisis in our family”.
Europe: pic.twitter.com/DcEe2Xcvgq
— POLARIS (@PolarisAus) 20 June 2023
Polaris will release a new album, ‘Fatalism’ in September, and tour Australia the same month with August Burns Red, Kublai Khan TX and Currents. The record, which they announced in May with the release of the single ‘Inhumane’, will be their last with Siew.
Following the news of Siew’s death, several bands and musicians have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late guitarist.
While I haven’t toured with Ryan, I’ve heard some incredible stories over the years. I hope his friends, family and bandmates are doing well. RIP Ryan Siew
— Ryan GOTHling (@TuckFFAK) 28 June 2023
RIP Ryan…
I remember as a 16-year-old watching him as a kid on Youtube and doing the best guitar covers possible to later be in one of the biggest modern metal bands in the world. He had a huge impact on so many people including myself and will always be a legend— Nik Nocturnal (@NikNocturnal) 27 June 2023
Sending so much love guys ❤️❤️😢
— PhaseOne (@PhaseOneAU) 27 June 2023
I am so sorry 🖤 he will be truly missed. What an incredible guy and artist. Sending love.
— lauren babic (@laurenbabic) 27 June 2023
We are so sorry 🖤 Sending you all the love.
— We Came As Romans (@wecameasromans) 28 June 2023
Members of Spiritbox, Architects, August Burns Red, Intervals and more have also shared their condolences in the comments on Polaris’ Instagram post.