I Prevail is a Post-Hardcore band from Southfield, Michigan. Formed in 2013, they had their breakthrough after releasing, in my opinion, the best cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" ever recorded in 2014. A month after the release of the cover, they released their debut EP "Heart Vs Mind". They opened for Crown The Empire and Hollywood Undead in the fall of 2015 and opened for Pop Evil that December. Spring of 2016 they announce their "Strike The Match" tour and in the summer released a single called "Scars" and announced their debut album "Lifelines". The album was released earlier this month.
I found this awesome band because of that epic "Blank Space" cover they released. After that, I found "Crossroads", which is a great song about fighting depression. This brings me to one of the reasons why I like them (and it's not because they make kick ass songs). Unlike most bands, they realize they have an outlet that they can help millions of people with their music. Another reason is while having a heavier sound they manage to keep a melodic tone in a majority of their songs, which makes me love them that much more. Now let's get to the music.
Scars
"Scars" leads this album off with a heavy, Metal, tinged riff. It's an awesome song to workout to (I know this from experience), but there's a message to it. Don't fall too far from who you are, even if fear grips you. Wear your scars, your life is your own. It's no one else.
Stuck In Your Head
"Stuck In Your Head" is catchy. It's about the end of a pretty bad relationship with a girl. All the lies caught up to her apparently. It's also pretty cool they indirectly mention the use of vinyl in the song.
Lifelines
"Lifelines" is a deep song. It's about looking back on the life left behind and not knowing how to get back home. Being torn apart, looking for some reason. Asking if someone is there to make them whole, if they're going to throw them a line. Living with all the goodbyes. Remembering what changed everything they knew.
Come And Get It
"Come And Get It" is probably the most Metal sounding song in this album. I can't wait to lift with this song blasting.This song is a middle finger to the haters. They're just another face in the crowd as you bust your ass and make it higher then they'll ever be.
Chaos
"Chaos" is a great song with a great message. Home is where you make. Never stop fighting through the chaos. You'll find your way out.
Alone
"Alone" is a sad song about being left alone by the one you love. Loving someone and they don't love you back. Letting them in and being left out. Not being able to let go of them even when they hurt you.
Outcast
"Outcast" challenges "Come And Get It's" title for most metal song. It celebrates being the outcasts, the outsiders. It celebrates being different from the status quo. We are the outcast and we will never be silenced
RISE
"RISE" is one of my favorite songs. It opens as if it is going to be a Punk leaning song, but the guitars hit and crank it over to the Metal side. This song has a message about rising to the top, fighting through the pain. It's the call of the dreamer, make them believe you can do it.
Already Dead
"Already Dead" is a song I'm honestly not too sure what it is about. There's an anger to this song and it is very Metal sounding. I think it stole the title from "Come And Get It". This'll definitely be added to my gym playlist.
Pull The Plug
"Pull The Plug" is another one of my favorites. Fighting the inner voices that tell you, you can't make it. Feeling at war with yourself, dying inside. Becoming numb to the hope and the fire inside. Needing a shock to wake up and live again, or just pull the plug and end it all.
One More Time
"One More Time" has Punk feel to it. It almost feels like a Fall Out Boy song. That being said it's another one of my favorites. I like how laid back it is compared to to the others. It's still packed with a great meaning. Get up, feel that kick drum beating.
My Heart I Surrender
"My Heart I Surrender" is different then every single song here. It takes a complete left turn. There's no driving guitars or pounding drums. It's just straight acoustic. I Prevail shows that they're more than a Post-Hardcore band. They can slow it down and still make something great.
Worst Part Of Me
"Worst Part Of Me" is a song about being used by a girl. Being too blind to see everything that was going wrong. Just wanting to feel yourself again after it all. I'm gonna enjoy lifting to this song.
In my opinion, this album is awesome. It's a great start for a great band. Don't take my word for it. Here's the playlist, listen to it yourself. Don't be afraid to buy the songs if you like them and for those who like to listen to vinyl, they're selling vinyl copies on their website, but it's limited to 1,000 copies so be quick (or just impulse buy like my friend). You get a free digital download with a purchase of a vinyl or CD copy as well.
