Album Review: Violent Nature

Heyo! Chandler here. I Prevail finally released their 4th studio album, Violent Nature (Fearless Records). I admit, I was so excited to hear this album, but also skeptical. With the departure of Brian Burkheiser earlier this year, it was a given the album was going to differ from their previous work. The duality of Eric’s unclean vocals with Brian’s cleans was aways a perfect balance in addition with their blend of heavy, electronic, and rap, and we truly saw it come together for Trauma and True Power. But with Brian out, like with any band with a change in lineup, they had to start to find a new creative process. So this is the album I always approach as the “give grace” album - the one I know the band just had a huge change and so I know it is not going to be what I am used to.

I won’t lie, I had concerns when the title track “Violent Nature” was first released as a single. The song seemed so short and I saw it being a great set opener as a great hype song, but the lyrics were a bit repetitive (more on that later). But again, it’s the “give grace” era.

But you know what? After listening to the full album, I think they are going to be okay.

The focus may have drawn away from struggles with mental health, but it also brought new emotions to their art.

1. Synthetic Soul

   Length: 4:30

That piano intro. Eric’s cleans. The overall haunting vibes. You just know despite that slow start, there is a build-up.

And then at 1:09 it hits. You get a little tease of the guitars and drums. Now we are on a faster track. Leading up to 2:54. Eric growls “I will atone for al lmy sins, for all my flaws, bring me the rapture. Tear me apart.”

And all hell breaks loose. This is the heavy side of I Prevail we know. This song was the introduction to the new era, the “New World Order,” literally and figuratively. You know you have arrived with one final line to leave a haunting chill.

1. NWO

   Length: 2:41

And we are welcomed to the New World Order. That bass. The insanity of the drums. The guys had no business going as hard as they did in this track. My mind instantly imagined how insane the pit would be at a show and I. WANT. TO. BE. THERE.

Hands down my favorite track on the album.

1. Pray

   Length: 3:11

1. Annihilate Me

   Length: 3:22

2. Violent Nature

   Length: 2:10

3. Rain

   Length: 3:23

4. Into Hell

   Length: 3:12

5. Crimson & Clover

   Length: 3:46

6. God

   Length: 2:37

7. Stay Away

   Length: 3:11