I Prevail are entering what Eric Vanlerberghe calls “a new era.” After months of writing while on the road, the band’s next chapter is about going back to the basics, but with fresh ambition.
“Super stoked for people to hear the new era,” Vanlerberghe tells us. “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.”
The recently released singles showcase a range of styles, including the more melodic Violent Nature, which stands apart from some of what I Prevail does that’s heavier. For Vanlerberghe, the shift is not limited to style, but also about his vocal growth.
“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 recalls. “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 camaraderie has been key to the transition. “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.'”
Vanlerberghe explains that the decision to release three stylistically different singles was deliberate: “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.”
At the same time, he knows some fans may need time to adjust: “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.”
As for covers, fans shouldn’t expect studio releases anytime soon, though I Prevail still enjoys sneaking them into live sets. “Right now it’s originals, really reinforcing what I Prevail is,” Vanlerberghe explains. “But we have fun in the studio, so maybe down the line something will come of it.”
Currently on tour, Vanlerberghe is relishing the experience. “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.”
He ends with a heartfelt message to fans: “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.”
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