In a shocking incident, Ryan Siew, who was the lead guitarist of the Australian metalcore band Polaris, sadly passed away at the age of 26. He died on the morning of Monday, June 19, which left his friends and family feeling devastated and shocked.
Polaris expressed their sadness and grief over the tragic loss of their dear friend and creative partner. They released a statement to share this unfortunate and heartbreaking news of his death. In the statement, they mentioned Ryan Siew’s deep and diverse love for music, which most people could not imagine. They also acknowledged that he had a unique ability to understand and communicate through the words of music in ways that only a few exceptionally talented people can.
Polaris, who is known for delving into the themes of depression and loss in music, has given a touching tribute to the band’s lead guitarist on Instagram. The band wrote, “It is with shattered hearts and 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”.
Polaris tribute to the late Ryan Siew
Apart from remembering their bandmate’s cherished and fun-filled memory, the group also revealed a list of things that were Ryan’s favorites. It included his love for crime documentaries, psychological thrillers, and his forever soft spot for Harry Potter.
Credits: Loudwire
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In their statement, they raised Ryan as being extraordinarily talented, brave, and kindhearted. He had a deep appreciation for all forms of art and its various expressions. He loved having excellent company and enjoyed sharing delicious food.
His love for music was incredibly diverse and h possessed a unique ability to understand and communicate through it. Above all, he cherished his family and friends with great love and admiration. The band expressed that Ryan’s absence would forever be felt, and no one can fill the void he left in their lives.
Ryan Siew’s past health struggles
In January, Ryan Siew shared a photo on his personal Instagram account, which showed him lying in a hospital bed. In the caption, he greeted his followers. He explain that he had taken a step back and dedicated most of 2023 to working on himself. He expressed happiness in no longer needing an anti-depressant and no longer experiencing the mental cloudiness and lack of energy that he had previously struggled with.
Ryan further shared that despite facing some health scares that were wake-up calls, he believed he was on the right path to becoming the best version of himself. He acknowledges the process of learning new things, personal growth, and, most importantly his journey of recovery.
Credits: Clash Magazine
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Remembering Ryan Siew’s career
Ryan Siew became a Polaris band member in 2013 and played an important role in the creation of their album titled, “Mortal Coil” in 2017. This album brought recognition to the Sydney-based band, as it earned them a nomination for Best Hard Rock at the ARIA Award in 2018.
In the post shared by the band, they did not disclose the cause of Ryan’s death. The band consists of Jake Steinhauser, Rick Schneider, Jamie Hails, and Daniel Furnari.
The band’s Instagram post received comments from fans as well. One user expressed deep sadness ad offered condolences to the band, acknowledging Ryan’s kindness and immense talent. They extended their sympathies to Ryan’s family and friends and wished him to rest in peace.
Another netizen expressed, “So sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of speaking to Ryan a handful of times- and he was nothing short of a beautiful burst of light. All our love to you and your family”. Another fan commented, “Heartbroken. Rest in peace, Ryan. I love you guys”.
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