Beloved Metalcore Band Parts Ways With Longtime Singer
While any band member parting ways with a band stings, the singer often seems a bit closer to fans, so it can hurt extra hard. – Author: Cat Badra, Courtesy photo via the band
It’s always a heartbreaking thing when a favorite band parts ways with a band member, and sometimes it hurts more if that band members is the vocalist. While any band member parting ways with a band stings, the singer often seems a bit closer to fans, because that person is the one singing the vocals and speaking to the heart and soul of the listener.
Now, a beloved metalcore band has announced that it is parting ways with a founding member.
Mutual Split Between Band and Founding Member
Michigan’s I Prevail and singer Brian Burkheiser have mutually split up. This is a major change for the band, because Burkheiser was the group’s clean-singing vocalist since it first formed.
Burkheiser had previously taken some time off from the band to deal with Eagle’s syndrome, a rare condition that happens when an elongated styloid process or a hardened stylohyoid ligament causes nerve pain in your face, throat or neck, according to the Cleveland Clinic. “Eagle syndrome happens when atypical structures in your head or neck cause facial or throat pain,” they add. According to Mayo Clinic Connect, “Eagle syndrome is so rare less than 4% percent have this condition and of that 0.16% show symptoms.”
The University of South Carolina adds that, “It usually presents with the complaint of dull and throbbing pain that aggravates with swallowing and can be replicated by palpation of the tonsillar fossa. Insertion tendonitis can mimic Eagle’s syndrome. Other symptoms may include the foreign body sensation in the pharynx (55%), dysphagia, painful deglutition, ear pain, headache, pain on cervical rotation, pain on chewing, facial pain, and tinnitus.” The band hasn’t stated if Burkheiser is leaving for medical reasons, however.
I Prevail have already been touring without Burkheiser for a while, with co-vocalist and growler Eric Vanlerberghe taking on most of the singing, backed up by guitarist Dylan Bowman on backing vocals.
It Was a ‘Difficult Decision’
The band officially announced that Burkheiser was no longer in the band with a statement posted on social media on May 15.
“To out I Prevail family,” the note started. “Today we share that we are mutually parting ways with Brian Burkheiser. This was a difficult decision, but we believe it is the right one and we are all grateful for the 10 epic years we shared together. We wish Brian nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors.”
They added, “Moving forward, Eric will continue to be the powerhouse frontman you’ve come to know and love. He’ll be backed up live by Dylan who you’ve seen in this role many times over the years at the shows we’ve performed without Brian. Rest assured, we will continue to deliver the high-energy shows that we’ve made a pillar of our band, and we will continue to perform all the bangers from our catalogue. All scheduled shows will go on exactly as planned.”
They also added that “new music” is coming soon and signed the note Eric, Steve, Dylan and Gabe.
I Prevail are gearing up for their “Summer of Loud” metalcore tour with co-headliners Beartooth, Killswitch Engage and Parkway Drive.
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