Live Review: I Prevail - O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester 27/03/2023
After three years of postponements, cancellations and excitement, fans were finally able to spend the evening with Michigan's very own metalcore powerhouse I Prevail. A rare dry, but nonetheless cold evening in Manchester would not get in the way of what would prove to be a continuation of the weekend with a very high energy Monday evening!
To bring in the night and begin to get the early arrivals moving was Blind Channel, who may be recognisable to some as Finland’s 2021 Eurovision entry. If this was your first time ever hearing the band however, you would be forgiven for not knowing this as their mix of Melodic Metalcore with a clear Nu-Metal influence does not immediately scream a 6th place finish on the annual competition. The introduction to the band for many on this tour will have no doubt gone a long way to distance the band from any misconceptions due to their Eurovision appearance.
Working through their setlist the group showed a varied range with the chosen songs, ‘FLATLINE’ was a real standout from the crowd with a heavy electronic feature throughout acting as the main melodic riff.
Their set ended with the aforementioned entry song - ‘Dark Side’, an already proven arena anthem and the most likely entry point for new fans. If you arrived towards the end of the set and only caught this, there is a lot more to sink your teeth into. I think we’ll see a lot more of Blind Channel going forward.
After a short break for most to rehydrate and rest, it was time for Trash Boat.
The last time I saw Trash Boat was in the very same venue, to support fellow St Albans natives Enter Shikari, and once again, they did not disappoint.
When making their walk out, vocalist Tobi stated they had one job tonight, to get the crowd warmed up for I Prevail.
The setlist is primarily built on their latest album ‘Don’t You Feel Amazing?’ through the incredible and continuously improving Hopeless Records. The group have gone from strength to strength this far in their career and have been on a continuous upward trajectory.
Similarly to hometown sharers Shikari, their setlist began with a string of hard hitting, impactful songs with a serious tone and lyricism. Including ‘Bad Entertainment’ - a song about the lies and deception provided to us all from various media outlets.
The middle of the set was made all the more emotional as a cover of Linkin Park’s ‘Given Up’ dedicated to the late, great Chester Bennington, as well as anyone else that may be struggling - made all the more important just a week on from his birthday and the recent outpouring of support in memorial. Not many bands would have the confidence to to attempt this and to their credit, it really was a great performance.
Their latest and so far only release since the last album ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ was quick to follow and shows the band are not just confined to their box, with a heavier, post hardcore sounding track.
The crowd was definitely warmed up and ready for I Prevail by this point, with the pits opening up throughout.
Time for their final song ‘He’s So Good’, a song put our their for anyone who is struggling with bigotry and hatred around their sexuality. On top of having a great message, it is a genuinely cracking song that will grow into a real standout from their discography.
If you are yet to experience Trash Boat, be sure to give them a listen. If you are heading to Slam Dunk this year, the energy and talent they bring is really worth ensuring you catch their set!
On another night, Trash Boat may have stolen the show but this would not be the case tonight.
As soon as their set finished, the anticipation began for I Prevail, with not many even heading to the bars to ensure their spot was kept for the main event.
With what was originally due to be the ‘TRAUMA’ tour, the delays and release of their 4th Album ‘TRUE POWER’ made a change to that. Being on stage for around an hour, the show included a mix of tracks from both albums as well as a couple of throwback tracks thrown in for good measure.
The crowd were in full strength from the beginning to the end and the atmosphere was electric as the band were in fine form.
The new album features a real focus on the band's clean vocalist Brian Burkheiser and a new almost pop-like direction and the same could be said for the show itself.
The band opened with ‘There’s Fear In Letting Go’, showcasing the range in Brian’s vocals with a atmospheric and electronic sounding track, welcoming them to the stage with a rapturous reaction. This does not mean that Eric Vanlerberghe’s incredible vocal ability is pushed to the sidelines however, as next up was ‘Body Bag’.
The first single released on the lead up to the last album and a modern Metalcore masterpiece, the circle pits were spinning and the crowd were already locked in for the rest of the performance.
The track really is a full force stomper, a throwback to the scene of the last few years. There is a definition to their music now which stands them out from the crowd. Heading out of their Easycore-esque roots and really building an identity over the last two releases has allowed the band to solidify their place over recent years and propel them forward.
The setlist initially followed a pattern, a slower, cleaner track which would be followed by 1 or 2 scream heavy powerful songs. This continued as they went from ‘Self Destruction’ into ‘Bad Things’.
The former with a Nu Metal influence and the latter an emotional sing along break for the crowd until the breakdown brought the tempo back up to where it belonged.
The first of the throwback tracks in ‘Come And Get It’ was up next from their second album ‘Lifelines’. The song has been cleaned up from the original raw sound as the band have improved and it really works. The blueprint has clearly always been there but over the last few years their sound has really been worked out. A big shout out also has to be given to other band members Steve Menoian, Dylan Bowman and Gabe Helguera who were all incredible throughout and were continually interacting with the crowd during and between songs.
The vibe shifted for the next two songs with ‘Hurricane’ and their stripped back cover of ‘Feel Something’ which they featured on for ILLENIUM. This version felt like its own entity, but anyone hoping for the dubstep ending to the song would have left disappointed.
If the cover of Linkin Park earlier in the night was not enough, we were then treat to a short rendition of ‘Chop Suey’ as made famous by metal mainstays System Of A Down, and a very vocal Victoria Warehouse had no reservations about getting involved.
The Emo-Trap peak may have passed, but the influence can still be heard in many recent releases and for me, two tracks that really show this came up next in the show with ‘FWYTYK’ and ‘Breaking Down’. The verses are built from the now classic (or is it a little early for that yet?) drum machine beats with a guitar riff in the back ground.
The last 4 tracks showed the bands ability to make really great pop punk like music, ‘DOA’ began this run and really set off on the right foot followed by ‘Choke’, ‘Deep End’ and my personal favourite of this song run - ‘Scars’ as another throwback to Lifelines.
All 4 songs really pushed the energy and flowed into each other perfectly for what was a great end to the set. Whilst the band have definitely uncovered a different sound, it shows they still have a place for their old work and for anyone that is looking to get into heavier music, it is a really great gateway.
After a small break, the encore began and kicked right off with ‘Gasoline’. I Prevail had saved their two heavy hitters till the very end and it did not disappoint. If anyone had anything left to give, these last two songs would put a change to that.
‘Bow Down’ followed shortly after, two songs that follow the golden formula of modern metal core with an intense riff and verse followed by a catchy, sing along chorus. But in all fairness, the band is set up perfectly for this. Having the two incredibly talented vocalists that can interchange and compliment each other really adds to the overall performance, as well keeps the set interesting and diverse.
This was the first time I have seen I Prevail, but I’d like to think I’ll be there again for the next time they arrive in the UK for a tour. With their current growth, I wouldn’t be surprised to find them embarking on an arena tour - from the last two albums, they are definitely ready for it.
Words by Thomas Maclachlan
Photography by Izzy Clayton
