I Prevail are shedding their skin — not to become something new, but to remember who they were in the first place. For Eric Vanlerberghe, this next chapter marks “a new era” for the band, one grounded in familiarity but carried forward by fearless growth.
“Super stoked for people to hear the new era,” he told Metal Injection. “We’ve been working on this stuff on the road the last eight months or so, maybe longer now… going back to the basics, how we wrote the first couple records and focusing on big choruses, crushing breakdowns, and finding new ways to expand our sound.”
It’s a fitting sentiment for a band that’s carved its identity by balancing heavy-hitting chaos with soaring melodies. And while the new singles signal evolution, they also highlight Vanlerberghe’s personal leap, especially on the more melodic Violent Nature.
“In the past, I’d tracked little choruses or verses here and there… but having to fill in when someone was sick or couldn’t make a tour meant I had to figure it out last minute,” he added. “It was a fun puzzle to figure out. Okay, I can do this range of screaming now… I should be able to find my voice to belt out these big choruses. It took a little work, but having the guys in the band behind me, it’s mostly confidence — just going up there and saying, ‘I can do it.’”
That trust from the rest of I Prevail has made all the difference: “If I flubbed up or had a voice break, they weren’t going to roast me for it. They’d just say, ‘You got this, come back in there.’”
As for what fans can expect, the band purposely chose to roll out a trio of tracks that explore the edges of their sound: “It’s only 10 songs, but these three give a little hint at what’s to come — how heavy we can get, how melodic we can get, and how experimental we can get. I think those three songs hit the nail on the head for the record.”
Of course, any shift in direction means not everyone will follow immediately, but Vanlerberghe isn’t losing sleep over it.
“It’s going to take time for some fans that have grown to know and love us in one form. But we’re still the same band, the same dudes writing the music. For those hearing us for the first time, I’m glad they’re giving us a chance. So far, everything seems genuinely positive.”
And while the band has previously dabbled in covers (often to viral acclaim), don’t expect those to take centre stage anytime soon.
“Right now it’s originals, really reinforcing what I Prevail is,” he explained. “But we have fun in the studio, so maybe down the line something will come of it.”
Touring right now with a stacked lineup, Vanlerberghe is living a fan’s dream: “Some of the bands I grew up listening to — like Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, and The Devil Wears Prada — getting to become friends with them and watch them every night has been a dream. And bands like Beartooth, Alpha Wolf, and The Amity Affliction — I’ve been friends with them for a few years, so getting to hang out daily is incredible.”
But no matter how far I Prevail are pushing themselves, they never lose sight of who they’re doing it for.
“Thank you for sticking with us. Thank you for giving us the opportunity and letting me live my dreams. Growing up, there were bands and songs that pulled me out of dark places, and now I get to put out music that connects with people. Whether you’ve been a fan for a couple of days or the last 10 years, I’ve got nothing but love and appreciation for you.”
The band may be changing, but they’re not leaving anyone behind.
