Band Recommendation of the Week: I Prevail
Michigan metalcore masters I Prevail have evolved from viral Taylor Swift covers to Grammy nominations, creating crushing yet catchy anthems that prove vulnerability and heaviness make the perfect combination.
Punk Goes Pop
From Taylor Swift covers to Grammy nominations, I Prevail's rise is one of the most inspiring success stories in modern rock. The Michigan quintet went from suburban hopefuls holding down day jobs to one of the most important bands in metalcore today, making music that connects the dots between crushing heaviness and mainstream accessibility without compromising either.
Formed I Prevail in Southfield, Michigan, in 2013, the group was fronted by vocalist Brian Burkheiser, screamer Eric Vanlerberghe, and guitarist Steve Menoian—three buddies determined to make something of it between blue-collar day jobs at Domino's, IHOP, and other places. They came out of left field when they went viral during the latter half of 2014 and reached #90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and platinum-certified status with a metalcore cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space.".
What was once written off as a fad turned out to be genuine artistry much too soon. Their 2014 EP "Heart vs. Mind" and 2016 album "Lifelines" established them as post-hardcore hopefuls. But 2019's "Trauma" was the one that catapulted them to arena-level fame, with Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance for their track "Bow Down."
New Journey
"Trauma" was made under very trying circumstances. Burkheiser suffered a potentially career-ending vocal cord injury that left him questioning whether he wanted to sing at all anymore, and Vanlerberghe lost his best friend to suicide. Rather than devastating them, those tribulations tempered an album of purging intensity that resonated with millions of individuals who were bearing their own personal demons. The album burst into massive popularity—nearly 777 million streams worldwide and coverage from mainstream media including Forbes, NPR, and Billboard.
Their 2022 album "True Power" was where they left off, with arena-sized riffs and catchy melodies that display the band's growth. Tracked by Tyler Smyth, the album displays their "no rules" approach to songwriting. Lead single "Body Bag" sees them back to their heavier roots, whilst tracks like "Deep End" highlight their proficiency at emotional vulnerability.
The band itself has just undergone a big change. Earlier in May 2025, they announced Burkheiser was departing following a battle with Eagle syndrome—a rare condition that brings on chronic neck and throat pain. The breakup was called amicable, with the band thanking Burkheiser for "10 epic years" of collaboration. Moving forward, Vanlerberghe will be handling all of the vocals, with the help of guitarist Dylan Bowman who has already filled in for Burkheiser's absences.
Billboard Mainstream
This transition demonstrates I Prevail's determination and commitment to their cause. As Burkheiser once explained, "Even with the name I Prevail, it's supposed to be a way to tell people that no matter what you're going through in life, you always can prevail through things and you always will be able to come out of a dark situation."
Their commercial success is a reflection of their broad appeal. "Hurricane" hit number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in 2020 and thereby officially became the biggest song on U.S. rock radio. Various singles are gold and platinum certified, and their albums are always on the Billboard Top 50. All this without credibility being compromised—an audience for rock being widened without critical and peer respect being lost.
In the days ahead, I Prevail continues to tour extensively through 2025, from headlining festival appearances and co-headliners alongside the likes of Parkway Drive and Killswitch Engage. Their "Summer of Loud" tour will only serve to emphasize how they've adapted to their new lineup without sacrificing the energy that's become so integral.
For more recent fans of I Prevail, "True Power" is the perfect jumping-off point. The album embodies all that they do differently: crushing breakdowns, sing-along choruses, synth soundscapes, and lyrics that tackle very real problems with unwavering honesty. No matter if you're a fan of their heavier output or their poppier ventures, something on here will speak to you.
Check here I Prevail's upcoming concerts and setlist prediction for 2025!
