I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe recently addressed concerns about the band’s evolving sound following lineup changes. He shared his thoughts in an interview on The Joe Vulpis Podcast.
The discussion centered around how the band’s recent changes might affect their musical direction and whether it has reignited their creative fire. When asked about the lineup changes and potential rebranding, Vanlerberghe acknowledged the inevitable shift. He emphasized the band’s commitment to their core identity.
“Yeah, you can’t deny there’s a new sound and you know, it’s me singing. So, there’s that little bit of uncertainty of all right, we’re going to keep writing the to how we know,” Vanlerberghe said. “We’re going to you know, me and Steve been writing lyrics, the music for the band since day one, and that’s never changed. So the core is still intact, but the mouthpiece that it’s coming out sounds different, and that’s just undeniable.”
The vocalist emphasized the band’s dedication to maintaining their established sound while adapting to the changes.
“It’s going to sound different, but we focused on just keeping true to what I Prevail was soundwise, what we’re writing about lyric-wise, what the songs feel like,” he continued. “So there was that little bit of uncertainty, but it had to be squashed down with confidence of like no matter what happens, we’re not just going to give up and hang our hats up.”
Vanlerberghe concluded by highlighting the band’s determination to persevere despite the challenges.
“We, you know, built this over 10 years. I don’t want to let it go just yet. Whatever it’s going to take, we just it means touring more. If it means putting out more music quicker, if it means whatever it is, we’re not quitters. We’re just going to keep pushing.”
These comments come at a pivotal time for the Michigan-based metalcore band. The group has experienced significant changes in recent months that have shaped their current trajectory.
The lineup changes Vanlerberghe referenced stem from major shifts within the band’s roster. Wikipedia reported that Brian Burkheiser parted ways with the band in May 2025. This marked the end of an era for the group’s dual-vocal approach. The departure represented a significant shift for I Prevail, as Burkheiser had been a core member since the band’s formation.
Following Burkheiser’s exit, the band welcomed Jon Eberhard as their new bassist in 2025. Wikipedia documented this addition. This change helped stabilize the lineup as Vanlerberghe and lead guitarist Steve Menoian remained as the band’s only consistent founding members throughout these transitions.
The band’s resilience during this period of change was further demonstrated with the release of their fourth studio album, Violent Nature, on September 19, 2025. Wikipedia noted this release showcased the band’s ability to continue creating music despite the significant lineup adjustments.
Looking ahead, I Prevail has announced plans for a Violent Nature European tour scheduled for September and October 2026. Wikipedia confirmed this upcoming tour represents the band’s commitment to the touring schedule that Vanlerberghe mentioned as part of their strategy to maintain momentum and connect with their fanbase during this transitional period.
