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I Prevail Parts Ways with Lead Singer Due to Rare Health Battle

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Grammy-nominated rock band I Prevail shared a sad message with their fans on social media.

The band parted ways with their longtime co-lead vocalist Brian Burkheiser, a member since the group’s inception in 2013, who shared lead vocals with Eric Vanlerberghe.

Moving ahead, Vanlerberghe will take charge of all the lead vocals, while guitarist Dylan Bowman lends his voice as backup.

The Michigan-based band has previously performed together at the Sonic Temple festival in Columbus, Ohio, and on May 17 (this coming Saturday), they are set to perform at Welcome to Rockville.

The split was amicable as Burkheiser is going through some serious health issues. 

To our cherished members of the Our Prevail family, I am writing to inform you that we have decided to go separate ways with Brian Burkheiser. This wasn’t an easy decision, but it is a mutual agreement on both ends. We appreciate his contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Making this choice wasn’t easy, but we firmly think it’s the correct path forward. We’re all deeply appreciative of the remarkable decade we spent working together.

Wishing Brian only prosperity and joy as he embarks on new ventures, let’s see Eric stepping up as your beloved frontman, continuing to amaze us in the future!

The team didn’t provide an explanation for their separation, but it’s worth noting that Burkheiser has been dealing with a unique nerve disorder known as Eagle Syndrome. This condition leads to painful sensations in the face, neck, and throat because of abnormal bone or tissue formations that affect the nerves in these areas.

And Brian has previously said the condition has ‘broken’ him over the last few years. 

In May 2024, Brian shared with his followers that he had multiple surgeries as part of an effort to manage his health condition.

Next to the picture of him in the hospital, he posted: “Just had several operations due to a seldom-seen condition known as Eagle Syndrome.

regretfully, I must inform you that due to ongoing recovery, I won’t be able to attend the upcoming performances for the next month.

At first, I believed I could endure the discomfort, but it seems my body and mind require additional rest for recovery.

He went on saying: “To put it plainly, this illness has shattered me over the past couple of years. I had a feeling that something wasn’t right as far back as 2018, and it was only very recently that I finally discovered what the issue was.

Over numerous tours, I’ve striven diligently to maintain a hopeful outlook, but as time went on, the darkness and distress only seemed to intensify. I could compile a whole book detailing the myriad of symptoms associated with this condition.

Regrettably, not many people are aware of Eagle Syndrome, which can be insidiously deadly. Many individuals I’ve spoken to who have it experience thoughts of suicide, feel like they’re a burden to others, and struggle with even the most basic daily activities.

I’ve experienced similar emotions before, but now I’m committed to spreading knowledge and advocating for those who are struggling.

Could you kindly lend your voice and cheer them on enthusiastically? I’m immensely pleased that Dylan and Eric are stepping in during my absence to carry on the task.

Apart from fighting health issues, Brian experienced a joyful event this year as well – the arrival of their son Benson, who was born to him and his wife Caitlyn in January.

In that moment, he posted a collection of pictures on Instagram with the accompanying message: “They wouldn’t have imagined such a love could be possible.

numerous enthusiasts were deeply saddened by the announcement, as one supporter exclaimed despairingly, “That’s my beloved group…

Another fan wrote: ‘Brian is the heart of the band. How can you continue to live without a heart.

Another person expressed: ‘His clear vocals play a crucial role in your music’s overall sound. I’ve seen your performances without him, and while they were impressive, there was an undeniable absence – something just didn’t feel right. I understand that we’re all mortal and must make tough choices at times, but I truly hope you can find a talented individual to fill his role in the clean parts of the songs.’

I Prevail originated in Southfield, Michigan back in 2013. Their first extended play, titled Heart vs Mind, was launched in the year 2014.

They gained widespread recognition after they put out a heavy metal version of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space as a standalone track. This cover eventually received a platinum certification in the United States.

Since then, the group has put out three studio albums: “Lifelines” from 2016, “Trauma” in 2019, and most recently “True Power” in 2022.

Besides their cover versions, the group has also achieved success with their own compositions. Tracks like “Breaking Down” and “Hurricanes” have received significant airplay on rock stations.

In 2019, I Prevail’s song “Bow Down” received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. At the same time, their album “Trauma” was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.

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2025-05-17 00:04

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