I Prevail built one of modern metalcore’s biggest success stories by combining crushing breakdowns, melodic hooks, electronic textures, and deeply personal lyrics about trauma, recovery, and resilience. Since breaking through with a viral cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” the Michigan band has survived major lineup changes, expanded its sound across four studio albums, and entered a new era with Eric Vanlerberghe as its sole frontman.
Feature Photo: cacei.ro / Shutterstock.com
I Prevail was formed in Southfield, Michigan, in 2013. The band first gained widespread recognition through a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” which went viral and helped establish a large fan base through social media and video-streaming platforms. I Prevail’s music blends metalcore, post-hardcore, nu metal, pop punk, and alternative metal, creating a sound built around heavy breakdowns, melodic choruses, electronic production, and emotionally direct lyrics.
The band released the EP Heart vs. Mind in 2014, followed by the studio albums Lifelines (2016), Trauma (2019), True Power (2022), and Violent Nature (2025). Trauma earned I Prevail Grammy Award nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance, while later releases continued exploring themes of mental health, resilience, pain, and personal struggle.
In 2025, founding clean vocalist Brian Burkheiser and I Prevail mutually parted ways. Eric Vanlerberghe became the band’s sole lead vocalist, with Dylan Bowman contributing additional vocals during live performances. The current lineup consists of Vanlerberghe, Steve Menoian, Dylan Bowman, Jon Eberhard, and Gabe Helguera.
Eric Vanlerberghe
Eric Vanlerberghe is a founding member of I Prevail and the band’s lead vocalist. He initially became known primarily for unclean vocals, screams, and occasional rapping, bringing an aggressive and dynamic edge to the group’s music. His vocal performances became central to songs such as “Scars,” “Bow Down,” “Gasoline,” and “Body Bag.”
Following Brian Burkheiser’s departure in 2025, Vanlerberghe assumed full frontman duties and expanded his role to include both clean and unclean vocals. That transition became a defining feature of Violent Nature, the first I Prevail album recorded without Burkheiser. Vanlerberghe’s ability to move between melodic singing, harsh vocals, and rhythmic delivery has become a major part of the band’s current identity.
Steve Menoian
Steve Menoian is the lead guitarist and one of the original members of I Prevail. He has served as a key songwriter and composer throughout the band’s career, helping shape the guitar-driven foundation of its sound. Menoian’s work can be heard throughout the group’s discography, from Heart vs. Mind to Violent Nature.
His playing balances heavy riffs, melodic leads, atmospheric textures, and polished modern-metal production. Menoian’s creative direction has helped I Prevail evolve without abandoning the dramatic contrasts between melody and aggression that first defined the group.
Dylan Bowman
Dylan Bowman joined I Prevail in 2015 as rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist. He joined the band before the recording of Lifelines and has appeared throughout its subsequent studio and touring history. Bowman’s rhythm guitar provides the heavy foundation beneath Steve Menoian’s lead work and contributes significantly to the band’s dense live sound.
Bowman has also taken on an increasingly important vocal role. During periods when Brian Burkheiser was unable to tour, Bowman helped cover clean-vocal parts alongside Eric Vanlerberghe. Following Burkheiser’s 2025 departure, Bowman continued providing supporting vocals during live performances.
Jon Eberhard
Jon Eberhard is I Prevail’s bassist and a key contributor to the band’s modern production. Before becoming an official member, he worked with the group in touring and production-related roles. His musicianship and studio experience helped expand I Prevail’s use of electronic textures, programming, and layered arrangements.
Eberhard played an especially important role in the band’s post-2025 era and produced Violent Nature. His combination of bass, programming, and production work has helped shape the heavier and more experimental direction of I Prevail’s current sound.
Gabe Helguera
Gabe Helguera joined I Prevail as drummer in 2016. He brought new energy and precision to the rhythm section and became a major part of both the band’s studio recordings and live performances. Helguera’s drumming is featured prominently on Trauma, True Power, and Violent Nature.
His playing combines powerful metalcore breakdowns, rapid fills, electronic accents, and tightly controlled grooves. Helguera’s drumming has become integral to the polished but aggressive sound that defines I Prevail’s later work.
Past Members
Brian Burkheiser
Brian Burkheiser was a founding member and the original clean vocalist for I Prevail from 2013 until his departure in 2025. His melodic voice provided the contrast to Eric Vanlerberghe’s harsher delivery and became one of the defining features of the band’s early sound. Burkheiser appeared on Heart vs. Mind, Lifelines, Trauma, and True Power.
Burkheiser’s vocals were central to songs such as “Blank Space,” “Scars,” “Hurricane,” and “Deep End.” Health problems, including Eagle syndrome, forced him to miss touring activity before the band announced in May 2025 that the two sides had mutually agreed to part ways. His decade with I Prevail played a major role in establishing the band’s audience and melodic identity.
Jordan Berger
Jordan Berger was an early touring and session member of I Prevail, contributing backing vocals and additional guitar. His tenure was relatively brief and focused primarily on live performances rather than the band’s later studio albums.
Tony Camposeo
Tony Camposeo was I Prevail’s original bassist during the band’s early years. He contributed to the Heart vs. Mind era and helped establish the group’s initial live sound before leaving ahead of the recording of its first full-length album.
Lee Runestad
Lee Runestad was the original drummer for I Prevail. He played during the band’s formative period and contributed to Heart vs. Mind and Lifelines. His drumming helped establish the early rhythmic character of the group before his departure in 2016.
For more on I Prevail, check out our 10 Best I Prevail Songs article.
If you’re into that same modern metalcore sound, we’ve covered plenty of similar bands too. Check out our coverage of Bad Omens, Motionless in White, A Day to Remember, and Asking Alexandria.
Updated July 14, 2026.
Complete List Of I Prevail Band Members article published on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2026
