Resurget Artist of the Year
Out of all the talented artists that have made strides in their careers this year, one Detroit native band stood out to our team specifically.
Detroit’s own I Prevail has had an immensely successful year following the release of their third studio album TRAUMA. The band has received not just one, but two Grammy nominations for 2020 including Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance for “Bow Down.”
The Michigan quartet consists of Brian Burkheiser (clean vocals), Eric Vanlerberghe (harsh vocals), Steve Menoian (lead guitar), and Dylan Bowman (rhythm guitar). Together the group has created one of their most dynamic albums to date.
I Prevail breaks barriers within the alternative rock genre by blending elements of rap, hip-hop and electronic.
The lyrics of the album carry the weight of emotional turmoil that Burkheiser endured following a vocal injury.
“Ashamed and fighting to steadfastly power through, he retreated inward,” states a press release. “The singer sequestered himself at home for weeks at a time. The doorbell, phone calls, and texts went unanswered as he confronted every vocalist’s worst fear head-on.”
The albums first single, “Breaking Down” sets the tone for the album, and leaves everything on the table with its intimate themes and emotional lyrics.
Just as the later did, the opening track on the album kicks right in with the powerful scream of “get on your knees and bow down” almost transitioning right into a breakdown.
Aside from the mature emotional themes, the musicianship of TRAUMA marks a great stride for a band that was often recalled for their pop-goes-punk style cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space.”
This year, the band landed a spot as direct support to A Day to Remember (one of the most iconic bands in the post-hardcore scene.) I Prevail has dedicated fanbase that transcends genre specifics and packs venues, screaming the lyrics back with as much gusto as the members on stage.
Resurget recognizes the hardship that went into producing TRAUMA and that the artists behind it are nothing but humble, kind and supportive of their peers. This holiday season, Burkheirser posted a heartwarming video on Instagram sharing that he paid his Dad’s mortgage for Christmas.
Stream TRAUMA here and tune into the Grammy awards on Sunday, Jan. 26th.
Looking forward…
Keep your eyes on We Came As Romans for 2020. After the heartbreaking tragedy of losing vocalist Kyle Pavone, the band released their first singles following his death.
Not only is the new music full of the traditional WCAR talent, it holds a sense of greater purpose; the band will continue on in Pavone’s honor, producing music that honors his memory.
This spring, the band is celebrating the ten year anniversary of their debut album To Plant A Seed. The band announced this will be the final time this album will be performed. The final date of the tour takes place at The Crofoot in Pontiac on Saturday April 11th. Tickets can be found here.