“Honestly, it was an incredible experience. Engaging in creative expression and putting yourself out there, especially when it comes to something as daring as full-on singing — truly laying it all bare and, for lack of a better term, taking that leap of faith.”

Eric Vanlerberghe joined Loudwire Nights on Wednesday (July 23) to discuss I Prevail’s highly anticipated album, Violent Nature, and he candidly shared his thoughts on taking over all vocal responsibilities for the band following Brian Burkheiser‘s departure.

You can listen to the entire conversation in the audio player located near the end of this article.

“Having the talented guys that I have around me makes it so much easier to feel at ease,” Vanlerberghe confessed to host Chuck Armstrong.

“We sat in a circle, strummed some chords, and hummed melodies that resonated with us … I thought, let me try belting this out, oh, that’s a bit out of my range. Okay, let’s lower it. Alright, I believe I can reach higher notes. We bounced ideas off each other, unafraid to sound silly.”

Vanlerberghe mentioned that a significant part of the comfort he experienced while assuming all vocal duties for I Prevail stemmed from the trust he had in his bandmates. He felt secure knowing they would never ridicule him for his voice cracking or missing the right notes.

“Having that confidence while being supported by the rest of the guys was monumental,” he expressed.

“Exploring a new dimension of my voice has been incredibly enjoyable, and it has led to some really exciting outcomes. I gained a lot of insights, and this entire recording process has improved my skills as a vocalist, even in the parts I already perform.”

Discover the Excitement Behind I Prevail’s Upcoming Album, Violent Nature

In addition to elaborating on his new vocal responsibilities, Vanlerberghe also shared insights about Violent Nature, I Prevail’s forthcoming album set to release on September 19.

“It’s been thrilling to unveil this new material,” Vanlerberghe expressed regarding the tracks already released from Violent Nature.

“I’m genuinely eager to see how fans will react. I understand there are many questions about how my vocals will shape the sound, but there is a palpable excitement within our camp.”

The band has openly described the album’s titular track as one of the heaviest songs I Prevail has ever produced, yet Vanlerberghe clarified that they didn’t intentionally aim for that outcome.

READ MORE: Daron Malakian Discusses Scars on Broadway’s New Album + Writing For System of a Down

“When we approach songwriting, I’d say nearly every time, we don’t sit down with the mindset of, ‘Let’s craft a single. This will be a radio hit. This one will be heavy,'” he explained.

“We typically follow a vibe or explore an idea or a small section … We refer to it as ‘getting lost in the sauce.’ You know, spending eight hours perfecting a 30-second segment of music, whether it’s the bridge, the verse, or something else entirely.”

Key Insights from Eric Vanlerberghe on Loudwire Nights

• His enthusiasm for exploring new sounds even after years in I Prevail’s journey: “From day one, we established that [idea that] I Prevail would transcend a single genre. We are not confined to what you might categorize as radio rock, nor are we strictly a heavy band or a pop rock ensemble. Each of us brings diverse influences to the table.”
• Whether he perceives this as a transformative period for the band: “Each album we’ve released has always featured substantial changes. From an external perspective, this may represent the most significant shift we’ve encountered … However, we are determined to overcome this challenge, release our new music, and demonstrate that we are not going anywhere.”
• The challenges of coordinating ahead for tour plans: “We’re currently navigating a tricky situation. Our long-time agent, manager, and dear friend recently passed away, Dave Shapiro … We were right in the midst of this process [of making plans], which caused a few plans to fall through. Nevertheless, we’re working diligently… we won’t be off the road for too long after [the festivals]. We’ll be hitting it hard.”

Catch the Full Interview in the Podcast Player Below

Eric Vanlerberghe joined Loudwire Nights on Wednesday, July 23; the show replays online here, and you can tune in live every weeknight at 7 PM ET or on the Loudwire app. Additionally, check if the show is available on your local radio station and enjoy on-demand interviews.