Seven months after his official departure from the platinum-selling metalcore act I Prevail, vocalist Brian Burkheiser has returned to music under a new moniker. Operating under the banner Scatterbrain, the singer has released a reimagined version of Taylor Swift‘s 2017 hit, “Look What You Made Me Do”.
The choice of song—an anthem about betrayal, reputation, and rebirth—appears intentional given the vocalist’s tumultuous year. In a statement issued via Atom Splitter PR, Burkheiser addressed his fanbase directly, acknowledging the difficulties of 2025 while hinting at the legal red tape that has necessitated a cover song release rather than original material.
“To my fans: This year forced me to pivot in ways I never expected, and it tested me more than I can explain. But through it all, your support has meant everything,” Burkheiser stated. “I’m excited to finally share a song with you. I chose this cover because it truly resonates with me and serves as a nod to what first sparked my career.”
He continued, alluding to the roadblocks preventing his solo compositions from seeing the light of day: “I’m still working toward the day I can release my original music, but for now, I’m grateful to have found a way to put a piece of art into the world.”
The release comes amidst a public battle over Burkheiser‘s intellectual property. On August 25, the singer took to social media to allege that his former bandmates were legally preventing him from releasing his planned debut solo single.
“Due to an unresolved dispute with my former band I Prevail, I am being blocked from releasing my song ‘Phases‘, as well as other new music,” Burkheiser wrote at the time. “I’m deeply disappointed, but I’m doing everything I can to move things forward.”
I Prevail announced in May that they were “mutually parting ways” with Burkheiser, who had been a clean vocalist for the group since its formation in 2013. His exit followed a prolonged absence from the road due to a battle with Eagle’s syndrome, a rare and painful condition involving the calcification of the stylohyoid ligament. During his medical leave, co-vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe and guitarist Dylan Bowman assumed his vocal duties.
Despite the current legal standoff, Burkheiser has expressed a desire for eventual reconciliation. In a series of Instagram Stories posted shortly after the split, he insisted there was “no beef” while simultaneously expressing hurt over the lack of communication during his exit.
“I love every single one of those guys whether they know it or not,” he wrote. “[But] I didn’t deserve how things went down… But it doesn’t mean they are bad people. I did try to communicate more and I wish that they would’ve talked to me more. But if it took it coming down to this to teach the world this lesson then I’m OK with that because I want to rekindle my friendships with those guys one day.”
Burkheiser ended that message by voicing support for Vanlerberghe‘s transition to the primary frontman role and encouraging fans to support I Prevail‘s “Summer of Loud” tour.
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