ALBUM REVIEW: VIOLENT NATURE BY I PREVAIL

Reviewed by Cecilia Pattison-Levi

I Prevail’s ‘Violent Nature’ is an awesome album: equal parts dark, terrifying and beautiful. It’s the sound of a band unafraid to grow and change. I really like this album as it stretches the boundaries of I Prevail’s world as it explores the shadowy world of reality: the pain and suffering we all carry and share.

I can see why there was so much fan disquiet about this coming album on the evidence of just one single ‘Violent Nature’ which does hit like a bus with the hard, death metal sounds, as the onslaught of menacing guitar riffs, drum blast beats and new front man Eric Vanlerberghe’s bellowing screams - both high pitched and deep guttural sounds – are delivered. It is a pick yourself off the floor moment as you think where has the I Prevail I know gone. They haven’t gone anywhere they have just grown up and changed.

The album ‘Violent Nature’ is not such a departure from where I Prevail have been signalling where they have been going on their musical journey. In fact, the band should be congratulated for expanding their sound and experimenting with new sonic styles and palates. The punk-rock is here in the beautiful ‘Pray’ and pop-punk sounds are still here especially in the lovely rock ballad ‘Crimson & Clover’ which name checks that 1960s classic and they are both album highlights.

The album commences with dark and foreboding synths as they lead the listener down a path into the terrific song ‘Synthetic Soul’ which is a great blend of the punk-rock and heavy rock sounds I Prevail is known for making in their music. The big bassline riff and drum rhythms eases fans into the changes that are to come through the next nine songs. I Prevail demonstrate how their sound will move through different genres. And, the changes come in hard and heavy with the word “Rock” that exploded into a bassline thrum and rumble in ‘NWO’ as the dark screamed vocals bring in screaming guitar riffs. It’s hard and heavy. It’s a great song. The lyrics are sophisticated about nixing the new world order which “mean nothing to us” as images of crucifixion and slaughter are pushed into your mind and reflect on the state of world.

The following song ‘Pray’ is a punk-rock singalong. Its lyrical content is about facing down your own demons. Prayers from others won’t help: “so don’t pray for me”. The song has a melodic electronic and haunting atmosphere, and showcases of clean vocals from Eric Vanlerberghe with support through all the songs by guitarist Dylan Bowman and his backing vocals. Then, a sorrowful guitar riff starts ‘Annihilate Me’ that asks the rain to wash away suffering as the pain is driving as “the king of suffering” is nailed to his “throne”.

The song ‘Violent Nature’ brings the dark as Eric Vanlerberghe wastes no time bringing the metalcore as he blasts, I Prevail back into our lives screaming: “I’m a sick motherfucker with a violent nature”. The following song is the powerful, emotionally charged ‘Rain’. It does show I Prevail’s ability to balance heaviness with vulnerability. It feels both as it explores the weight of suffering and the relief that comes with finally being set free from misery.

The synth and guitar underpin the drive of aggressive and cleansing vocals in the song ‘Into Hell’ which is about following their loved on “into hell”, the “fire” and stating that they would walk “over glass” for them. Then the switch comes with the fabulous ‘Crimson and Clover’ which looks at the fall-out from relationship breakdowns and alcohol abuse. Then, the heavy and deathcore vocals are back for ‘God’ and the rage is huge and heavy. Whoever that song is about – woah – the next song ‘Stay Away’ may be good advice.

The album ends with that powerful song ‘Stay Away’ with the distorted guitars, mixed heavy and clean vocals. The wall of sound is contrasted in the chorus to the sweet pop-punk like ‘sugar on your tongue’ of the verses. I Prevail have delivered a fascinating lyrical journey into darkness, suffering, pain and redemption using dark melodious modern metal cut full of pop sensibilities, divine melodies, and heavy breakdowns. It is a fascinating album that will be admired as people really listen to it as it has much to say about the human condition. Take the I Prevail journey into the dark night examining the soul.