It seems like it was just yesterday that an up-and-coming new band named I Prevail was gaining attention after posting a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” to YouTube, but that was nearly eleven years ago. It’s hard to imagine that much time has passed, but the band (initially formed in 2013) has come a long way since that significant exposure boost.
Putting out their debut EP Heart vs. Mind in 2014, weeks after dropping the Swift cover, it seems more and more interest continued to come their way, leading up to their 2016 debut album Lifelines. An album that features several big singles like “Scars,” “Stuck in Your Head,” and “Alone,” I Prevail built on it all in 2019 with another big album called Trauma, featuring the number 1 charted single “Hurricane,” and a Grammy nomination for “Bow Down.” Staying strong, touring heavily, and continuously solidifying their following, the band released another impressive album in 2022, True Power, but 2025 promises to be another big year with the release of Violent Nature.
Released on September 19, 2025, through Fearless Records, the new album raises a few questions, considering long-time Vocalist Brian Burkheiser left the band before the writing and recording sessions. A tremendous loss for the band and their fans, Burkheiser’s singing and writing were a signature part of their sound for a decade. However, it is said that Burkheiser and the rest of his former bandmates have no ill will, and he has even carried on with a fresh new project called Scatterbrain. Wishing him well in his new endeavor and curious where it might go, the core of I Prevail – Vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe, Guitarist Steve Menoian, Guitarist Dylan Bowman, and Drummer Gabe Helguera – joined up with newly anointed full-time Bassist/Keyboardist Jon Eberhard to put together Violent Nature. Being familiar with Eberhard, he assisted with work for True Power, so it obviously felt like a good fit for everyone.
All of this in mind, Violent Nature is a new chapter for I Prevail and comes at you with ten songs that build on the melting pot of styles they have developed into their own over time. By and large known for their heavier sound, the smooth opening of “Synthetic Soul” is a bit of false security before the harsher tunes set in, and those catchy tunes begin to pull you along. The gradual rise in intensity towards the end gives you an idea of what is yet to be inspected, while the music constantly swerves back to the previous soft tunes.
Considering this, “NWO” brings along the Metalcore tunes that I Prevail are notorious for. The heavy shredding, along with the shouted and growled vocals, is causing your adrenaline level to rise. Then you have the intense “Pray,” which is digging deep and will definitely catch your attention. This is while “Annihilate Me” features thoughtful moments that alternate with heavy ones. “Violent Nature” brings back the raucous stylings with shouted vocals, fast riffs, and explicit lyrics that will cause your muscles to twitch at the very least.
On the other side, “Rain” comes with a catchy rhythm that has high potential to get stuck in your head. “Into Hell” touches the heart and digs deep beneath your skin, leaving a mark, before the unexpected “Crimson & Clover” (not a Tommy James & The Shondells cover), which is definitely touching. This leads us to “God” coming at you with full force, and “Stay Away” closing the album with heartfelt vocals, nicely bringing it all to a head.
Overall, I Prevail’s Violent Nature takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. It shakes you at your core during its turbulences and comforts you in the smoother moments. It is safe to say the band has found a perfect balance between the intense Metalcore tunes and mellower Rock moments here. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Violent Nature 4 out of 5 stars.
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