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True Power
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| True Power | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 19, 2022 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 44:27 | |||
| Label | Fearless | |||
| Producer | Tyler Smyth | |||
| I Prevail chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from True Power | ||||
| ||||
True Power is the third studio album by the American rock band I Prevail, released on August 19, 2022. The album was proceeded by the singles "Body Bag" and "Bad Things". "Self-Destruction", "There's Fear in Letting Go", "Deep End" and "Closure" also later became singles. It was the final studio album to feature founding member and clean vocalist Brian Burkheiser before his departure from the band on May 15, 2025.
Background and recording
[edit]The album was produced by Tyler Smyth, who also produced the band's previous album, Trauma.[1] In an interview with Wall of Sound, guitarist Steve Menoian discussed the process of making the album:
"[We] were...drawn to way more of, just like rock and roll vibes on this record and I think part of that was like bucking expectation, but it’s also part of just what we were drawn to at the time. So I feel like we wanted to always have this record...[keep] you guessing and not feeling like you could ever really predict what’s coming in a lot of spots. And I feel that just was kind of the natural songwriting evolution that we were drawn to [on] this record and yeah, I think it’s a cool blend of styles for what we were able to create."[2]
Composition
[edit]True Power has been described as metalcore,[1][2][3] post-hardcore,[1] hard rock,[1] rap metal,[1] and nu metal,[2] with elements of pop, trap, electronic, and grunge.[3] Vocalists Brian Burkheiser and Eric Vanlerberghe both incorporate rap vocals on the album.[4]
Release
[edit]On June 17, 2022, the band released the lead single "Body Bag".[5][6][7] On July 12, 2022, the band released the second single "Bad Things".[8] On August 19, 2022, the band released a music video for the song "Self-Destruction".[9] The album was released on August 19, 2022.[5][6][7][8] On November 22, 2022, the band released a music video for the song "There’s Fear In Letting Go".[10] On March 16, 2023, the band released a music video for the song "Deep End".[11][12]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Kerrang! | 4/5[13] |
| Hysteria Mag | 9/10[3] |
| The Spill Magazine |   [14] |
| Sputnikmusic | [15] |
| Wall of Sound | 8.5/10[4] |
True Power has received generally positive reviews from music critics. Paul Travers of Kerrang! complimented the album's dynamics and production stating, "I Prevail have expanded on the lighter moments from Trauma. But there’s always an explosion waiting to drop, and producing those jaw-dropping moments is one of the things they do so well."[13] Chanel Issa of Hysteria Mag felt that "[the album] breathed new life into I Prevail’s sound, placing them in high contention for the coveted title of kings of the metalcore sandpit.[3]
Melinda Welsh of The Spill Magazine praised unclean vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe for "[stepping out of his comfort zone...to deliver some softer-spoken rap style lyrics and clean vocals..." and called True Power "their most aggressive album yet."[14] In a less positive review of the album, Jesper L. of Sputnikmusic considered the album to be a "reminder that overblown production can’t hide lazy songwriting."[15] Wall of Sound stated "I Prevail take everything they did on Trauma and dial it up to 11."[4] On November 2, 2022, their single 'Bad Things' have peaked number 1 on the Billboard Active Rock Radio Charts, the first time since 2020 with their hit single, Hurricane.
Track listing
[edit]All songs written by Brian Burkheiser, Steve Menoian, Eric Vanlerberghe, Tyler Smyth and Jon Eberhard except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "0:00" |
| 0:41 |
| 2. | "There’s Fear in Letting Go" |
| 3:54 |
| 3. | "Body Bag" | 3:16 | |
| 4. | "Self-Destruction" | 2:26 | |
| 5. | "Bad Things" | 3:48 | |
| 6. | "Fake" | 2:51 | |
| 7. | "Judgement Day" | 2:46 | |
| 8. | "FWYTYK" | 3:17 | |
| 9. | "Deep End" | 3:26 | |
| 10. | "Long Live the King" | 3:00 | |
| 11. | "Choke" | 3:02 | |
| 12. | "The Negative" | 2:20 | |
| 13. | "Closure" |
| 3:09 |
| 14. | "Visceral" | 2:44 | |
| 15. | "Doomed" |
| 3:47 |
| Total length: | 44:27 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 16. | "Bad Things (Stripped)" | 3:41 |
| 17. | "There’s Fear in Letting Go (Stripped)" | 3:02 |
| 18. | "Deep End (Stripped)" | 3:30 |
| 19. | "Hate This Song (feat. All Time Low)" | 2:56 |
| Total length: | 57:44 | |
Personnel
[edit]Credits retrieved from album's liner notes.
I Prevail
- Brian Burkheiser – clean vocals, composer
- Steve Menoian – lead guitar, bass, composer
- Eric Vanlerberghe – unclean vocals, additional clean vocals, composer
- Dylan Bowman – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Gabe Helguera – drums
Additional Musicians
- Bonnie McIntosh – piano on "Doomed"
Production
- Tyler Smyth – production, engineering, mixing
- Jon Eberhard – additional production
- Joey Doherty – additional production contributions
- Ted Jensen – mastering
Design
- 23in – art direction, cover design
- John Van Unen – digital illustration
- Strange Practice – design
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[16] | 5 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[17] | 42 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[18] | 68 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[19] | 28 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[20] | 84 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] | 50 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[22] | 96 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[23] | 3 |
| US Billboard 200[24] | 48 |
Singles
[edit]| Title | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|
| US Main. | |
| "Bad Things" | 1 |
| "Deep End" | 4 |
| "Closure" | 25 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Stevens, Samuel (August 16, 2019). "I Prevail - True Power". Crucial Rhythm. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c Brown, Paul (August 18, 2022). "Start Your Countdown Until You Bear Witness to I Prevail's Heavy True Power…". Wall of Sound. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Issa, Chanel (August 18, 2022). "I Prevail True Power". Hysteria Mag. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c "I Prevail – True Power (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ a b "I Prevail To Release New Album "True Power" In August, Debut "Body Bag"". The PRP. June 17, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ a b "Hear I Prevail's Super Heavy New Song "Body Bag"". Revolver. June 17, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Kielty, Martin (June 18, 2022). "Watch I Prevail's Body Bag single from third album True Power". Metal Hammer. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Rogers, Jack (July 12, 2022). "I Prevail Have Released An Emotionally Massive New Track 'Bad Things'". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Rogers, Jack (August 19, 2022). "I Prevail Reveal Dystopian Video For 'Self-Destruction'". Rock Sound. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Rogers, Jack (November 23, 2022). "Watch I Prevail's Gravity-Defying Video For 'There's Fear In Letting Go'". Rock Sound. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ "I Prevail Share "Deep End" Music Video". The PRP. March 16, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ "I Prevail Release New Music Video For "Deep End'". Heavy Mag. March 16, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Travers, Paul (August 17, 2022). "Album review: I Prevail – True Power". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b Welsh, Melinda (August 19, 2022). "Spill Album Review: I Prevail – True Power". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ a b Jesper L. (August 25, 2022). "I Prevail – True Power". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – I Prevail – True Power". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – I Prevail – True Power" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of September 3, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – I Prevail – True Power" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 26/8/2022 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – I Prevail – True Power". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart on 26/8/2022 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart on 26/8/2022 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ @billboardcharts (August 29, 2022). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/2)..." (Tweet). Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
True Power
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
True power, also known as real power or active power, is the portion of electrical power in an alternating current (AC) circuit that is consumed by the resistive components of a load to perform useful work, such as producing heat, light, or mechanical energy.[1][2] It is measured in watts (W) and represents the average power dissipated over a complete cycle, distinguishing it from the total power supplied by the source.[3]
In AC circuits, true power is calculated using the formula , where is the root mean square (RMS) voltage, is the RMS current, and is the phase angle between voltage and current waveforms; alternatively, it can be expressed as for resistive loads, with denoting resistance.[1][2] This cosine term, known as the power factor (), quantifies the efficiency of power utilization, ranging from 0 (purely reactive circuit) to 1 (purely resistive circuit with unity power factor).[2][3]
True power forms one side of the power triangle, alongside reactive power (, measured in volt-ampere reactive or VAR) and apparent power (, measured in volt-amperes or VA).[1] Reactive power accounts for the energy stored and released by inductive and capacitive elements without performing net work, while apparent power is the vector sum of true and reactive powers ().[2] In practical applications, such as motors or transformers, a low power factor indicates higher reactive power demands, leading to inefficiencies that utilities often penalize through billing adjustments.[1]
Understanding true power is essential in electrical engineering for designing efficient systems, calculating energy costs, and optimizing power distribution networks, as it directly correlates with the actual energy billed to consumers.[3] For instance, in a circuit with a 100 V supply, 2 A current, and a power factor of 0.8, the true power is 160 W, highlighting how phase differences reduce effective power delivery.[2]
On streaming platforms, True Power amassed over 100 million streams on Spotify by the end of 2023, with the lead single "Bad Things" surpassing 50 million streams on the platform alone by that point. The track's popularity contributed significantly to the album's digital footprint.[74] Physical sales were bolstered by multiple vinyl variants, which appealed to collectors and helped sustain album purchases beyond the initial release.
The album maintained steady performance into 2025, supported by the September 2024 expanded edition that added new tracks and reimagined versions.[36] This longevity underscores True Power's role in I Prevail's catalog, with tour visibility further enhancing its market presence.[5]
An expanded edition was released on September 20, 2024, adding four bonus tracks for a total of 19 tracks and a runtime of 57:35. These bonus tracks include stripped-down versions of select singles and a new collaboration. The additional production and writing credits follow the same core team as the standard edition.[82][83]
Background and production
Development
True Power was announced on June 17, 2022, as I Prevail's third studio album and their first full-length release since Trauma in 2019, marking an evolution in the band's sound while building on the emotional intensity of their prior work.[4] The album's conception emphasized progression from Trauma's raw vulnerability, with the band aiming to explore broader themes of resilience and self-empowerment.[5] Guitarist Steve Menoian highlighted a deliberate shift toward a "rock and roll vibe" during songwriting, noting that the band was "drawn to way more of, just like rock and roll vibes on this record" to infuse energy and accessibility.[6] He further explained the emphasis on unpredictability, stating that part of this direction involved "bucking expectation" to avoid repetition and keep listeners engaged through diverse structures and influences.[6] The COVID-19 pandemic significantly shaped the creative process, as the band was touring in Germany when global shutdowns began in March 2020, forcing a pivot to remote collaboration.[5] Songwriting started in late 2020 amid lockdowns, with members working individually at home and sharing ideas digitally; Menoian described this as "all just kind of doing our own thing and sending stuff back and forth," which allowed for personal reflections on mental health struggles like isolation and finding inner strength.[5] Initial demos were completed by early 2021, enabling the band to refine concepts before full production.[5] To maintain continuity from Trauma, I Prevail retained producer Tyler Smyth, whose involvement in the small writing circle with vocalists Brian Burkheiser, Eric Vanlerberghe, and Menoian ensured a focused, efficient process despite the geographical challenges of working between Michigan and Los Angeles.[7]Recording
The recording of I Prevail's third studio album, True Power, took place primarily at producer Tyler Smyth's studio in Los Angeles, California, supplemented by sessions at the band's home setups in the Detroit area to accommodate COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.[8] These hybrid arrangements allowed the band to continue work after tour cancellations in March 2020, blending remote collaboration with in-person tracking once safety protocols were established.[5] Principal recording sessions spanned approximately six months from mid-2021 to early 2022, following initial writing and pre-production that began during the height of the pandemic. Smyth handled production, engineering, and mixing at his Los Angeles facility, drawing on his prior collaboration with the band on their 2019 album Trauma.[9] Mastering was completed by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in Nashville, Tennessee, ensuring a polished, high-fidelity sound suitable for the album's dynamic range.[10] The process presented several challenges, particularly in adapting to a mix of remote and in-person workflows amid ongoing pandemic uncertainties, which required frequent adjustments to scheduling and health measures. A key technical focus was maintaining the band's signature vocal duality, with clean vocals from Brian Burkheiser and screamed vocals from Eric Vanlerberghe layered to create emotional contrast and intensity across tracks.[5] This involved meticulous editing and balancing to preserve their interplay without compromising raw energy. Guest pianist Bonnie McIntosh contributed atmospheric piano elements to select tracks, notably "Doomed," adding subtle orchestral depth to the album's heavier metalcore foundation.[11] Her involvement highlighted Smyth's approach to incorporating diverse instrumentation for heightened emotional impact.Music and lyrics
Musical style
True Power exemplifies modern metalcore, incorporating elements of post-hardcore, hard rock, rap metal, and nu metal to craft a hybrid sound that balances aggression with accessibility.[12][13] The album further integrates pop sensibilities, trap rhythms, electronic layers, allowing for a versatile sonic palette that shifts fluidly between intense breakdowns and melodic hooks.[13][14] This fusion creates dynamic contrasts, as heard in tracks like "Body Bag," where syncopated guitar chugs and tight drum fills drive a relentless pace before exploding into bone-shattering breakdowns.[13] Central to the album's sound are the heavy, riff-driven guitars from Steve Menoian and Dylan Bowman, which provide a thunderous foundation punctuated by groovy, chugging patterns and occasional two-step rhythms.[15][12] The dual vocal approach amplifies this intensity: Brian Burkheiser delivers clean, rap-infused verses and soaring sung choruses, while Eric Vanlerberghe unleashes guttural screams and aggressive raps, enabling seamless transitions from melodic introspection to visceral fury.[13][15] Production techniques enhance these shifts through layered electronics and synth accents, as in the climactic choruses of "There’s Fear In Letting Go," alongside trap beats in "Bad Things" that infuse groovy, melodic undertones, and rawness in "Self-Destruction" via its dark, hip-hop groove and distorted edges.[12][13][14] Compared to the band's prior album, Trauma (2019), True Power intensifies the heaviness and explores diverse genres, building on their established sound.[13][14] This progression dials up the raw energy while maintaining melodic accessibility, resulting in the band's heaviest yet most versatile release to date.[16]Themes
True Power delves into central themes of personal struggles with mental health, self-destruction, fractured relationships, and empowerment derived from vulnerability, reflecting the band's evolution in confronting inner turmoil.[17] The album portrays these elements through raw, confessional lyrics that emphasize turning trauma into resilience, as vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe described the record as centered on "taking your lows and your traumas… turning that into your strength."[17] This thematic core draws from the band's experiences during the pandemic, which amplified feelings of isolation and self-doubt, ultimately fostering a narrative of growth and self-acceptance.[5] Recurring motifs throughout the album include battles with inner demons, entrapment in toxic cycles, and paths toward redemption, often illustrated through vivid imagery of conflict and release. For instance, "Body Bag" embodies inner demons through lyrics depicting self-sabotage and inevitable downfall, with lines like "Don't let them save you from yourself" underscoring a defiant embrace of destructive impulses.[18] Similarly, "Bad Things" explores toxic cycles and addiction, as in "Addicted to the feeling and the chemicals" and "I push away the people that I love the most," highlighting how harmful habits strain relationships and perpetuate isolation.[19] Redemption emerges in tracks like "Deep End," where the motif shifts to acceptance, with "So I made friends with all my demons / Let 'em sink their teeth in" symbolizing the transformation of pain into personal power.[20] The vocalists' contributions enhance these themes, with Brian Burkheiser delivering introspective rap verses that probe addiction and loss, providing a narrative depth to emotional vulnerability, while Eric Vanlerberghe's screams channel rage and catharsis, amplifying the intensity of confrontation.[17] In "Deep End," for example, their interplay bridges clean vocals and harsh screams to convey the shift from denial to empowerment.[17] The album's arc progresses from raw confrontation of pain to eventual acceptance, mirroring I Prevail's post-pandemic maturation as the band processed halted tours and personal setbacks to emerge stronger.[5] This structure begins with aggressive tracks unpacking turmoil and culminates in reflective pieces emphasizing healing. Specific examples include "Judgement Day," which addresses societal pressure through defiant lyrics like "Say fuck pleasing the masses" and "I don’t care about what they say," rejecting external judgments in favor of self-assertion.[21] "Closure" tackles letting go of trauma in the context of toxic relationships, with "The damage is done, I’m already gone" and references to sobriety illustrating empowerment through finality and forward movement.[22]Release and promotion
Album release
True Power was released on August 19, 2022, through Fearless Records.[23] The album was made available in multiple formats, including digital download, compact disc, vinyl LP, and cassette.[24] Pre-orders opened following the album's announcement on June 17, 2022, with options including merchandise bundles such as exclusive apparel and posters tied to the release.[23] The promotional rollout commenced that month with the lead single "Body Bag," setting the stage for the full album launch. The album's artwork depicts a stylized mushroom cloud in shades of blue and gray against a dark background, with the band name "I PREVAIL" and title "TRUE POWER" rendered in white capital letters; art direction and cover design were handled by 23in, with digital illustration by John Van Unen.[25][26] An expanded edition, True Power (Expanded), followed on September 20, 2024, incorporating four bonus tracks: the stripped-down versions of "Bad Things" and "There's Fear in Letting Go," the new collaboration "Hate This Song" featuring All Time Low, and a reimagined take on "Hurricane."[27] This release aligned with Fearless Records' strategy to broaden I Prevail's appeal within the rock genre, blending metalcore intensity with more accessible melodic elements.[28]Singles
The lead single from True Power, "Body Bag", was released on June 17, 2022, alongside an official music video directed by Tom Flynn, marking the album's first preview and emphasizing the band's aggressive metalcore sound.[4][29] "Bad Things" followed as the second single on July 12, 2022, also accompanied by a music video, and became a major radio hit, topping Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in November 2022 for the band's second No. 1 there.[30][31] The track further reached No. 1 on active rock radio charts, driven by extensive promotional pushes including streaming campaigns and playlist placements on platforms like Spotify.[32] Following the album's August 19, 2022 release, I Prevail issued additional singles to sustain momentum. "There's Fear in Letting Go" received a dedicated music video on November 22, 2022, highlighting its introspective themes through narrative visuals.[33] "Deep End" was promoted as a single in early 2023, with its official music video premiering on March 16, entering the top 10 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart and underscoring the album's emotional depth.[34][35] Later, "Closure" emerged as a 2023 single, contributing to ongoing radio rotation and fan engagement. Promotion for these singles centered on rock radio airplay and digital streaming initiatives, with tracks like "Bad Things" gaining traction through targeted marketing by Fearless Records. The 2024 expanded edition of True Power extended this promotion by including stripped-down reimaginings of "Bad Things" and "There's Fear in Letting Go", alongside a new track "Hate This Song" featuring All Time Low, to refresh interest and introduce acoustic interpretations.[36]Music videos
The music videos for I Prevail's album True Power served as key visual promotions, emphasizing the record's themes of inner conflict, resilience, and emotional intensity through dynamic cinematography and narrative elements.[29] The lead single "Body Bag," released on June 17, 2022, features a music video directed by Tom Flynn that showcases the band in intense performance sequences amid gritty, urban settings, underscored by visual effects that amplify the track's confrontational energy and heavy riffs.[29][37] The video's low-fi, edgy aesthetic captures a sense of raw aggression, aligning with the song's themes of defiance and overpowering adversaries.[38] Following shortly after, the "Bad Things" video premiered on July 12, 2022, directed by Ben Proulx, presenting high-energy live-action footage of the band navigating chaotic environments filled with explosive pyrotechnics and symbolic imagery of turmoil turning to empowerment.[30][39] This visual narrative highlights recovery from personal chaos, with fast-paced cuts and vibrant lighting that mirror the track's blend of pop-infused melodies and metalcore breakdowns.[40][41] "Self-Destruction," shared as a promotional video on August 18, 2022—just ahead of the album's release— was directed by Jensen Noen and depicts a dystopian world where individuals are ensnared in a digital illusion, force-fed information in a hyper-connected society, reflecting the song's critique of self-sabotage and isolation.[42][43][44] The visuals include surreal, glitchy effects and crowd scenes of possession-like conformity, enhancing the track's building tension from spoken-word verses to guttural screams.[45] The video for "There's Fear In Letting Go," released on November 22, 2022, also directed by Jensen Noen, employs gravity-defying cinematography where the band and surrounding elements float and levitate, symbolizing the vulnerability of release and emotional surrender.[33][46] This abstract, cinematic approach uses slow-motion aerial shots and ethereal production to evoke a sense of weightlessness, tying into the song's exploration of fear amid change.[47][48] In 2023, the "Deep End" video arrived on March 16, directed by Jensen Noen, portraying introspective scenes of the band confronting internal struggles through stark, shadowed visuals that convey emotional submersion and self-acceptance.[34][49] The footage emphasizes dynamic shifts in lighting and performance intensity, illustrating the track's vacillation between vulnerability and resolve as a metaphor for ceasing internal battles.[50][51]Touring
The True Power Tour served as I Prevail's primary headline outing to promote their 2022 album, commencing in September 2022 with a North American leg featuring Pierce the Veil, Fit for a King, and Yours Truly as support acts.[52] The first leg spanned from September 9 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, to October 9 in Chicago, Illinois, where the band delivered high-energy sets emphasizing tracks from True Power such as "Body Bag" and "Bad Things," often closing with pyro-heavy renditions of "Self-Destruction."[53] A second leg followed in November and December, retaining Pierce the Veil and Fit for a King while adding Stand Atlantic, with dates including sold-out shows in Detroit and St. Petersburg, Florida, drawing crowds upward of 5,000 per night at venues like The Fillmore.[54][55] In 2023, I Prevail extended promotion through festival appearances and select headline dates, including performances at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Download Festival in the UK, where setlists continued to spotlight True Power material alongside staples from prior albums like Trauma.[56] They also joined Godsmack for a co-headlining run in May, blending True Power tracks such as "Choke" and "Doomed" into broader sets that maintained the album's aggressive live energy.[57] These outings featured elaborate production, including synchronized pyro during breakdowns, enhancing the thematic intensity of songs exploring personal struggle and resilience. Attendance at larger festival slots, like Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, exceeded 10,000, marking some of the band's most attended shows to date.[58] By 2024, I Prevail shifted to co-headlining roles on bigger packages, including a summer North American tour with Halestorm, supported by Hollywood Undead and Fit for a King, running from July 9 in Raleigh, North Carolina, to August 17 in Las Vegas.[59] True Power songs remained integrated into setlists, with "Bad Things" and "Body Bag" frequently performed amid the dual-vocal dynamic of Brian Burkheiser and Eric Vanlerberghe, though Burkheiser sat out portions due to health-related procedures for Eagle syndrome.[60] The band adapted by having Vanlerberghe and guitarist Dylan Brosnan handle clean vocals, preserving the tour's momentum without full album playthroughs but with notable pyro displays at amphitheaters like PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte.[61] The departure of co-vocalist Brian Burkheiser in May 2025, announced as a mutual decision amid his ongoing health challenges, influenced the band's 2025 activities, which focused on festival slots like Louder Than Life and When We Were Young while promoting their follow-up album Violent Nature.[62] Setlists evolved to emphasize Vanlerberghe's screams and Brosnan's contributions on cleans, reducing True Power tracks to key highlights like "Self-Destruction" to accommodate the shift, though challenges in vocal adaptation were evident in early post-departure reviews from European dates.[63] Despite the change, performances retained pyro elements and high attendance, such as over 10,000 at Sonic Temple Arts & Music Festival, underscoring the album's lasting live impact.[64]Reception and legacy
Critical reception
True Power received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its energetic production and vocal dynamics while noting some formulaic tendencies in its song structures. On Album of the Year, the album holds an average critic score of 75 out of 100 based on six reviews, reflecting appreciation for its accessibility to broader audiences through melodic hooks and genre fusions, all while maintaining the band's metalcore roots.[65] Kerrang! awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, commending its full-throttle energy, soaring melodies, and well-worked vocal interplay between singers Eric Vanlerberghe and Brian Burkheiser, which create jaw-dropping dynamic moments in tracks like the opener "0:00."[66] Hysteria Magazine lauded the record's genre-blending innovation, highlighting how I Prevail push metalcore boundaries with hip-hop, EDM, and heavy rock elements to inspire risk-taking among younger bands.[67] Wall of Sound gave it 8.5 out of 10, noting the emotional depth conveyed through diverse influences—from nu-metal riffs to rock ballads—that solidify the band's cohesive presence in modern metalcore.[13] In mixed assessments, Boolin Tunes rated it 6 out of 10, praising strong vocal performances including Vanlerberghe's rapped sections but criticizing repetitive structures and a lack of authenticity in mainstream-leaning tracks like "Body Bag," which evoked weak Linkin Park imitations.[68] Sputnikmusic offered a more negative take with 2 out of 5 stars, slamming the album's predictable, glossy metalcore and pop-punk elements as vapid and unoriginal, with overproduced songwriting masking lazy compositions; some reviewers echoed concerns that the rap-metal aspects felt uneven and forced.[69] Critics often compared True Power to works by Linkin Park for its hybrid rap-rock aggression and to Bring Me the Horizon for evolving metalcore accessibility. Guitarist Steve Menoian noted in interviews that the album's unpredictability in blending styles was intended to resonate broadly, a sentiment echoed in reviews highlighting its replayable variety.[5] The 2024 expanded edition, featuring stripped-down versions of tracks like "Deep End," "Bad Things," and "There’s Fear In Letting Go," drew generally positive feedback for enhancing the album's intimacy through lush, haunting reimaginings that retain emotional impact with minimal instrumentation.[70]Commercial performance
True Power debuted at number 48 on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 15,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.[5] The album's performance was driven by a mix of pure sales, streaming, and track equivalents, reflecting I Prevail's established fanbase in the rock genre despite competition from pop and hip-hop releases that week. Internationally, the album achieved moderate success on various charts. It peaked at number 5 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart,[71] number 3 on the UK Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart,[72] number 28 on the German Albums Chart,[73] and number 24 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. These positions highlighted the band's growing appeal in rock-oriented markets, particularly in Australia and the UK where metalcore acts often find strong support.| Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 48[5] |
| Australian ARIA Albums | 5[71] |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums | 3[72] |
| German Albums | 28[73] |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) | 24 |
Accolades
True Power garnered recognition within the rock and metal scenes through nominations, chart successes, and inclusions in editorial lists, though it did not secure major award wins like its predecessor Trauma. At the 2023 Heavy Music Awards, I Prevail received a nomination for Best International Artist, acknowledging the album's impact, but the category was ultimately awarded to Halestorm.[75][76] The album's singles achieved notable radio airplay milestones on Billboard charts. "Bad Things" topped the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for the week dated November 5, 2022, marking I Prevail's second number-one hit there following "Hurricane" in 2020.[31] It also reached number one on the Mediabase Active Rock radio chart in late October 2022, underscoring the track's dominance in the format during the year.[77] Unlike Trauma, which earned two Grammy nominations in 2020 for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance ("Bow Down"), True Power did not receive any Academy Award nods.[78] I Prevail's prior Grammy recognition from 2019–2020 highlighted the band's growing industry stature prior to the album's release.[5] True Power was included in several year-end editorial compilations celebrating top rock and metal releases of 2022. It appeared on Loudwire's list of the 50 Best Rock + Metal Albums of the Year, praised for its aggressive energy and production. Kerrang! featured the album among its highest-rated releases of 2022, ranking it at number 50 in their aggregated scores.[79] In 2024, an expanded edition of True Power was released digitally via Fearless Records, adding the new collaboration "Hate This Song" with All Time Low and acoustic reinterpretations of fan favorites "Deep End," "Bad Things," and "There's Fear In Letting Go." This version was highlighted in music press as a celebrated extension that refreshed the album's appeal for longtime supporters.[80]Content
Track listing
The standard edition of True Power, released on August 19, 2022, by Fearless Records, features 15 tracks with a total runtime of 44:27. All tracks were written primarily by I Prevail members Brian Burkheiser, Steve Menoian, and Eric Vanlerberghe, with production handled by Tyler Smyth.[24][81]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0:00 | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 0:41 |
| 2 | There's Fear in Letting Go | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:54 |
| 3 | Body Bag | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:16 |
| 4 | Self-Destruction | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 2:26 |
| 5 | Bad Things | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:48 |
| 6 | Fake | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 2:51 |
| 7 | Judgement Day | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 2:46 |
| 8 | FWYTYK | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:17 |
| 9 | Deep End | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:26 |
| 10 | Long Live the King | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:00 |
| 11 | Choke | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:02 |
| 12 | The Negative | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 2:20 |
| 13 | Closure | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:09 |
| 14 | Visceral | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 2:44 |
| 15 | Doomed (piano: Bonnie McIntosh) | Burkheiser, Menoian, Vanlerberghe, Smyth | Smyth | 3:47 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Bad Things (Stripped) | 3:41 |
| 17 | There's Fear in Letting Go (Stripped) | 3:02 |
| 18 | Deep End (Stripped) | 3:30 |
| 19 | Hate This Song (feat. All Time Low) | 2:56 |