I Prevail ‘Violent Nature Tour’ @ Hordern Pavilion Sydney 23/06/2026.

From battling Bad Things in their career, including the departure of longtime clean vocalist Brian in 2025, to braving the Violent Nature of the Hurricane that is often the international touring scene. Along with the many other fierce struggles of navigating this crazy world at times. U.S. metalcore giants and leaders of the genre, I Prevail, make their thunderous return down under for their biggest headlining tour of Australia to date. The band’s return is to celebrate their September 2025 album ‘Violent Nature’. Along for the ride joining I Prevail are Swedish alternative metalcore rising stars Imenense, dubbed as Violin-core for their signature blend of aggressive metalcore and the use of soulful-classic violin. And to round off the Hurricane of a line-up, opening the show is Texas progressive metalcore favourites Invent Animate.

The recipe for tonight’s show screams the sentiment I Prevail through all the world’s struggles, and yet we are here to blast the roof off!

The crowd pours in in segments (not all at once thanks to good handling from security), and the standing floor around me fills up quickly in anticipation for tonight. Invent Animate start the night, and although the sound mix is bang-on perfect and balanced, it’s not my cup of tea personally. I am really enjoying being able to hear every word/scream clearly, and make out most of what he’s saying, plus even clearly hearing his inhalations and exhalations. The band’s blend of progressive elements and metalcore aggression is all balanced in the mix to complement each other and elevate the vocals, of enjoyable nonetheless!

After Invent Animate tried and I personally felt failed, at sparking the crowd to crowd surf and circle pit, Imminence are up to take the throne. I really love the use of violin mixed in with the ferocious energy of metalcore that lead singer and violinist Eddie brings. Although the sound mix is nicely balanced and even, I feel like Eddie’s blend of melodic falsettos and heartfelt passion, transitioning to guttural screams isn’t as loud and elevated as Invent Animate’s was. This does mean for patrons like myself who’re not closely familiar with the bands’ material, they struggle at times to make out the lyrics within the theatrical/enigmatic soundscape.

The venue is filled to capacity and the energy in the venue is electric and palpable as I Prevail emerge for their biggest headline Sydney show to date! Will the sound mix be perfect like Invent Animate, highlighting the vocals to crisp clarity while the rest of the musical layers complement each other, rising the vocals up on a pedestal? Or will the vocals be simply on-par with the rest of the mix and be a strain to decipher at times like Imminence? 

As soon as the thunderous screams from Eric after the surging bass pulses and stampeding drums of opening song ‘NWO’ burst forth, we have our answer. It’s definitely the former not the latter to my delight, bringing out a broad smile on my face and euphoric goose-flesh on my skin! This exquisite sound mix is emphasised throughout the entire set, proudly putting on display the sound layers including lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, keyboard/synth, drums plus added percussion and of course, Eric’s vocals set atop it all. From songs with aggressive screaming vocals such as album title track ‘Violent Nature’, as well as ‘Bow Down’ to songs that demonstrate Eric’s ability to swiftly transition from screaming vocals to clean precision in tracks like the Taylor Swift cover ‘Blank Space’ and ‘Hurricane’ highlights Eric’s vocal diversity brilliantly.

As for the sound tonight, I was really hoping it would be just like it was here at this venue for Lacuna Coil earlier this year, in that I wouldn’t need to use my heavy-duty concert earplugs. However, no, I still need to use them, or at least my left one oddly. It’s tricky, because I’m sure at the back of the standing crowd where the mixing desk is, the sound would be even and centred, but oh how I’d love it if the sound mixer came into the mosh and realised, “ohhhh, because of how the speakers are placed by the sounds of it, if you’re standing in the lefthand side of the mosh, you’ll cop more of the bassist” (I would imagine he’s somewhere in front of where I’m standing and there’s a speaker near him). And “oh, if I shimmy to the right-hand side of the mosh, I’ll likely cop more lead guitar (seeing as at times in songs from where I’m standing on the lefthand half of the barrier, the lead guitar doesn’t shine as bright as it should).. Plus Craig’s diverse, powerful voice stands out the most if you’re in the middle” The mix isn’t terrible by any standards, but it definitely needs improving for all patrons regardless of where they’re located.

As for the bands’ sound, even with Craig’s injury, supporting vocals from the guitarist (rhythm guitarist, I believe), help fill in the gaps nicely and give Craig’s voice a helping hand perfectly! On top of that, I feel that if the lead guitar was more pronounced in the mix where I’m standing, I wouldn’t be wondering if there are higher-pitched falsetto vocal harmonies in songs, I’d easily hear that it’s the lead guitar’s wailing melodies resonating with Craig’s lead vocals.

I know I’ve shone light on a few downfalls in this review, and I don’t like to focus heavily on the negative. Regardless, after the band finished the set with ‘One For The Money’, which is always ace, I’m left feeling rather good, satisfied, and pleased with the show on a whole! The band’s energy on stage and in their music was incredible; they connected with their audience constantly but not to the point of wanting them to stop talking and just get on with it. Thankfully, the crowd was generally pleasant, and we heard all the songs we’ve come to know and love that take us back to when we were in high school and after.

Plus, even with an obviously serious injury to his voice, Craig blazed in true metal dedication to the music and his fans, not giving up and powering on through the set despite the immense pain I’m sure he was in! Another reason for Escape The Fate’s Aussie fans to keep coming back, because with devotion like that, it screams ‘We Won’t Back Down’!

Until next time, keep a keen eye for concerts…