I PREVAIL - TRUE POWER
Three years after their Grammy nominated album Trauma, I Prevail came back and released their third album, True Power. After their previous album, which sent them to the top of the charts, their listeners were left anticipating what their next album would consist of.
True Power contains 15 tracks that are no stranger to diverse sounds. This powerhouse of an album follows their previous work that revealed the trauma that the band was carrying with them and trying to work through. Not knowing if the band would make it through their collective trauma, this album proves that they can overcome their trauma and continue to inspire others.
The release of two singles from the album prior to the full album release, ‘Body Bag’ and ‘Bad Things’, showed off the original I Prevail sound that fans know and love. The intense breakdowns and riffs mixed with the clean vocals of Brian Burkheisher and the amazing screams from Eric Vanlerberghe really packed a punch into their singles.
Starting off their album they opened with ‘0:00’. This track consists of a more synthesized sound that has a sporadic burst of guitar that leaves the listener in suspense of what comes next. The eerie opening allows the build up into their second track ‘There’s Fear In Letting Go’. Their second track opens with a similar synth melody that leads into the clean melodies over heavy riffs, yet ends with an incredible drop and breakdown.
The tracks following are quite diverse. Previously released single ‘Body Bag’ and track ‘Judgment Day’ are high-speed, intense, and definite pit-stirrers. While other tracks such as ‘Fake’, ‘FWYTYK’ and ‘Self-Destruction’ have more of a nu-metal and hip hop influence. Burkheisher’s more prominent rap flow shows the progression of the band’s sound, but also the diversity of talent that the group contains.
Their ninth track ‘Deep End’ slows the album into a more calm and melodic feel. Clean, smooth, and effortless vocals from both vocalists give the album a chance to cool off. Thus this track speaks about how the band has “made friends with their demons” and have moved past their trauma, but this track immediately throws us into ‘Long Live The King’. This track straight away unfolds with a heavy chant/scream of “Long live the king”. From the opening all the way to the final drop and breakdown this song keeps the listener engaged through the catchy melody and a heavy breakdown.
Closing out their album the track titled ‘Doom’ is not what you would expect to close out such a powerhouse of an album. ‘Doom’ is completely melodic, which is similar to their closing track on their previous album,’I Don’t Belong Here’.
On the contrary of what heavy vocalist Vanlerberghe is known for, he exhibits how he can have a smooth and soft melodic voice when it is needed. Having ‘Doom’ as their closing song completely wraps up what they want you to take away from their album that “There is peace inside the panic”. This song is absolutely beautiful and tear jerking because it showed how both vocalists made it through their trauma, but still are fighting everyday. At the end you are left with the feeling of, what is next in their healing journey?
True Power is an incredible sequel to their prior album. As a band they not only show how diverse and talented their band has evolved into, but it also gives the band a feeling of vulnerability. Throughout all the tracks their lyrics showcase the immense feelings that they can convey solely through words, whether they are on top of heavy riffs or acoustic melodies. After this album release, they proved that they can continue to make hits and continue to climb in the rock music genre.
Cimone Milner
★★★★☆