I Prevail are no strangers to high stakes. The Michigan rock band has been carving out their place in the heavy since 2013, with massive choruses, crushing riffs and lyrics that cut deep. 2025, however, makes a turning point. With the departure of vocalist Brian Burkheiser earlier this year, co-vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe has stepped up to carry the weight of frontman duties. Just a week after the announcement, they came back swinging with the release of new music. Today, they drop their fourth studio album, Violent Nature. A lean, ten-track collection, this is perhaps their most confident and ambitious work to date.
Violent Nature wastes no time pulling listeners into its world. The album opens with “Synthetic Soul”, which creeps in with a dark industrial edge before exploding into a heavy anthem. The same energy trickles into “NWO”, doubling down on the chaos and grit. “Pray” brings an unexpected shift so early on in the tracklisting- a beautifully melodic track, it opens with acoustic guitars and beautiful clean vocals before rising into something that feels more pop-punk than metal. It’s heartfelt, catchy and one of the most memorable moments on the record, showcasing I Prevail’s versatility.
That balance between heavy and heartfelt continues throughout the middle stretch. “Annihilate Me” blends eerie guitar with soft vocals before building into an empowering chorus that begs to be shouted back at the band live. The title track, “Violent Nature”, is the complete opposite – it’s unhinged and packed with heavy breakdowns. If you’re looking for the band’s most chaotic side, this is the song. “Rain” flips the script again with fast-paced drums and a stripped-back verse which highlights Vanlerberghe’s clean delivery. It’s this constant push and pull- heavy to melodic- that keeps the album exciting.
Just when you think you’ve got Violent Nature figured out, I Prevail throw a curveball with “Into Hell” and “Crimson & Clover” as they lean far more into alternative and acoustic territory. On the flip side, “God” is pure chaos again, bringing back the heavy industrial sound. The closing track, “Stay Away” feels like the perfect summary of everything the record has spent the previous nine tracks building: clean vocals giving way to heavy riffs, pop-punk melodies woven into industrial chaos and a final burst of energy that leaves things ending on a sharp, abrupt note. It’s one of those closing tracks that’ll make you want to hit repeat from the top.
Violent Nature proves that I Prevail have taken their biggest leap forward. This record is heavy, melodic, diverse and dripping with passion. It’s short and sweet, but every track earns its place and is sure to add something to the whole. Violent Nature is proof that despite lineup changes, I Prevail aren’t just surviving, they’re thriving.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Violent Nature is out now – grab a copy HERE
Photo credit: Reilly Clark
