The Unresolved Dispute Blocking Brian Burkheiser's New Band: Scatterbrain's Launch And The I Prevail Controversy
The world of post-hardcore music was rocked in mid-2025 by the dramatic news of Brian Burkheiser’s departure from I Prevail, the band he co-founded and propelled to Grammy-nominated success. As of today, December 24, 2025, the story has evolved from a simple health-related exit to a complex legal and creative battle, centering on his new venture, the band Scatterbrain. Burkheiser's launch of new music has been immediately met with controversy, as he claims his former band is actively blocking the release of his original material, including the highly-anticipated single "Phases," due to an unresolved dispute over songwriting rights. This article dives deep into the health struggles that forced his hand, the details of the I Prevail split, and the explosive launch of Scatterbrain.
The clean vocalist, known for his signature melodic delivery alongside screamer Eric Vanlerberghe, is now navigating the difficult transition from a major label rock star to an independent artist fighting for control of his own creative vision. The narrative is a compelling mix of personal triumph over a rare medical condition, Eagle's Syndrome, and a frustrating legal impasse that is keeping new, original music from his dedicated fanbase. The full story is a testament to his resilience in the face of career-threatening health issues and a public battle with his past.
Brian Burkheiser: Biography, Career Highlights, and Health Battle
Brian Burkheiser is an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the former clean vocalist and co-founder of the post-hardcore band I Prevail. His career has been defined by his powerful voice, his contribution to the band’s unique blend of metalcore and melodic rock, and his public battle with a debilitating health condition.
- Full Name: Brian Burkheiser
- Born: April 6, 1993
- Hometown: Southfield, Michigan, USA
- Primary Role: Clean Vocalist, Songwriter
- Former Band: I Prevail (2013–May 2025)
- Current Project: Scatterbrain (Launched 2025)
- Key I Prevail Albums: Lifelines (2016), Trauma (2019), True Power (2022)
- Grammy Nominations: I Prevail received two nominations for the album Trauma: Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance for the single "Bow Down."
- Health Condition: Eagle's Syndrome (Diagnosed in the mid-2020s).
- Departure from I Prevail: May 2025, due to chronic health issues.
Burkheiser's journey with I Prevail began in 2013, quickly rising to prominence with their viral cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space." The band cemented their status as modern metalcore heavyweights with albums like Trauma, which earned them mainstream recognition and Grammy nods. His clean vocals were a critical component of the band's sound, providing a powerful, accessible counterpoint to Eric Vanlerberghe's aggressive screams.
The Crippling Reality of Eagle's Syndrome
The primary catalyst for Burkheiser's 2025 departure was his long-running battle with Eagle's Syndrome. This rare medical condition is caused by an elongated styloid process—a small, pointed bone just below the ear—which causes chronic nerve pain.
For a high-energy performer, the symptoms were debilitating. Eagle's Syndrome causes a dull, throbbing ache and sharp nerve pain in the face, neck, and throat. The intense physical demands of touring and singing high-register metalcore vocals became nearly impossible, requiring him to undergo multiple surgeries and ultimately forcing him to step away from the band in May 2025.
Scatterbrain: The New Project and the Taylor Swift Statement
Despite the physical and emotional toll of his departure, Brian Burkheiser wasted no time in launching his next creative chapter. In the months following his split from I Prevail, he unveiled his new project: a band named Scatterbrain.
Scatterbrain is described as Burkheiser's "creative vision," a new solo venture that allows him to explore his own musical direction. The project was introduced to the world with a surprising, yet fitting, debut single in late 2025: a heavy, metalcore-infused cover of Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do."
The choice of song was widely interpreted as a direct, powerful statement to his former band. The lyrics, "Look what you made me do," and the aggressive reimagining of a pop hit, served as an unmistakable declaration of his independence and a nod to the controversy surrounding his exit. The track, produced by Erik Ron and BJ Perry, along with Burkheiser himself, signaled a continuation of his signature sound but with a renewed sense of purpose.
The Unresolved Dispute Blocking 'Phases' and New Music
The most pressing and headline-grabbing news surrounding Brian Burkheiser's new band is the legal dispute that is currently preventing the release of his original music. Just as he was preparing to debut his first original single, "Phases," he revealed to fans that the song, and other new tracks, were being blocked.
Burkheiser publicly stated that an "unresolved dispute" with I Prevail is the reason he is unable to release the new material. While the full legal details remain private, the dispute is widely believed to be tied to songwriting rights and ownership of material that may have been created or conceptualized during his time with I Prevail but before his official departure.
The situation has created a dramatic impasse for Scatterbrain's launch. While the Taylor Swift cover provided a temporary, high-impact release, the inability to share original songs like "Phases" forces the project into a holding pattern. The controversy has, however, brought significant attention to the new band, with fans rallying support for Burkheiser and urging his former band to resolve the issue. The former vocalist has made it clear that he is fighting to gain control of his own creative output and move forward with his career outside of I Prevail.
Topical Entities and LSI Keywords:
- I Prevail: Eric Vanlerberghe, Steve Menoian, Trauma, True Power, Post-Hardcore, Metalcore, Fearless Records.
- Scatterbrain: "Look What You Made Me Do" Cover, "Phases" (Blocked Song), Solo Venture, Erik Ron (Producer), BJ Perry (Producer).
- Health & Career: Eagle's Syndrome, Chronic Nerve Pain, Multiple Surgeries, Clean Vocalist, Songwriting Rights, Unresolved Dispute.
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