After ten years of trading screams, stage dives, and viral success, I Prevail have officially split with co-vocalist Brian Burkheiser.
The news, confirmed in a statement from the band overnight, marks the end of an era for one of metalcore’s most commercially successful modern acts—a band that took a Taylor Swift cover and spun it into platinum records and mainstage dominance.
The band described the split as ‘a difficult but amicable decision’, offering nothing but praise for Burkheiser’s decade-long run. There’s no shade here, at least not publicly. “We’re grateful for the music, the memories, and the magic we created together,” reads the statement. “We wish him nothing but the best.” A clean break, then—but one that will inevitably reshape I Prevail’s sound moving forward.
A reconfigured future
From here on out, all vocal duties will fall on Eric Vanlerberghe, with guitarist Dylan Bowman stepping up to assist. The band debuted the restructured lineup live at Sonic Temple Festival, opting not to pause or postpone their tour plans despite the shift. For fans, this likely signals I Prevail’s intent to keep momentum charging forward rather than dwell on what’s been lost.
The transition isn’t entirely out of left field. Burkheiser had already sat out last year’s tour while recovering from multiple surgeries tied to Eagle Syndrome, a rare and painful condition that affects the neck and head. Whether the health battles played into his decision to walk away hasn’t been confirmed—but the timing does raise eyebrows.
Burkheiser’s legacy
Say what you will about I Prevail, but Burkheiser’s presence helped push the band out of the metalcore copycat swamp and into chart territory. His clean vocals gave tracks like ‘Hurricane’ and ‘Breaking Down’ their emotional punch, balancing out Vanlerberghe’s ferocity. That dynamic—the beauty and the brawl—was essential to I Prevail’s formula, especially in their Trauma era, which earned Grammy nods and broadened their reach far beyond Warped Tour circles.
Now, with one frontman left standing, fans will be watching closely to see how—or if—that balance holds.
What comes next?
So far, Burkheiser hasn’t issued a personal statement beyond reposting the band’s official announcement. Whether this leads to a solo project, a career pivot, or simply a much-needed break, remains to be seen.
For I Prevail, the road ahead looks loud and unrelenting. Tours are moving ahead as planned, and with festival slots lined up across the US and Europe, there’s no sign of slowing down. But with a key voice now missing, the sound—and soul—of the band may be due for a shakeup.
Whatever comes next, the I Prevail that went viral in 2014 isn’t the same band you’ll see onstage in 2025. And maybe that’s the point.
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