Michigan metalcore group I Prevail brought both the pop and the pain on their sophomore album, 2019's Trauma. It was a landmark release for the genre-mashers, delivering earth-shattering breakdowns alongside trap-adjacent production and anthemic hard-rock riffery — all while balancing vocalist Brian Burkheiser's sweetest cleans to date against Eric Vanlerberghe's fiercest screams.
And while the breakthrough release pushed I Prevail to the next level — it debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard album charts, and nabbed the band a pair of Grammy nominations — what's probably more important is how the band pushed through adversity to even make the record.
Specifically, Burkheiser went through a bout of depression after discovering a polyp on his vocal cords, which temporary sidelined him from performing. Ultimately, he was able to rise above that affliction through the making of Trauma, producing an eclectic and reflective set of songs with his bandmates, as well as guests including Canadian singer Delaney Jane, and vocalist Justin Stone.
Understandably, it's a memorable entry in I Prevail's catalog. So, to commemorate Trauma's fifth birthday — as well as the 30th anniversary of the band's label, Fearless Records — guitarist Dylan Bowman weighed in on the standout songs that still send him after all these years.
"It's hard to pick five of your favorite children," he admitted, "but I'm basing these off of how they feel performing as well as how I think the final cut came out for the record. Let's go!"
5. "Low"
I feel like this track is slept on a little bit. We didn't push it as a single, but it scratches an itch for me.
Fun riffage, and I feel like there's just something powerful about having a melodic anthem validating that it's OK to be low sometimes.
4. "Breaking Down"
This track makes this list for me because I love the atmosphere of it. And seeing the fans connecting with this live has really validated a lot of my own feelings, in a way. I've seen people laughing and crying while singing back lyrics like "I don't really like myself."
It just creates a very real, raw energy that feels cathartic.
3. "Bow Down"
This had to be on this list. I feel like it's hard to not consider this one, because we used to start sets with this song, and I will never get tired of seeing the crowd's reaction when they hear Eric scream like he just came out of a portal from hell.
…I think I just convinced myself that this should've been No. 1?
2. "Gasoline"
This is one of those songs that was just fun, all around.
You can hear laughs at the end of the final vocal take — we left those on the album. It's one of those situations where Eric is in the booth, and you're like, "Where the hell is the guy from? What is he on?"
1. "Hurricane"
This is my favorite track from Trauma. I feel like we planted our feet in the ground with this sound. It feels perfectly balanced, with our dual vocalist style. Brian and Eric compliment each other effortlessly on this track.
I also love how this song [feels] to play on the road, when I'm going through shit. You know how some people have therapy dogs? This is my therapy song.
