Brian Burkheiser left I Prevail in 2025 after a decade with the band, largely around long‑running health struggles and broader personal and interpersonal reasons, and the split was publicly framed as a mutual, amicable parting of ways.

Official reason: health and “mutual” split

Publicly, the band and Brian described the decision as a mutual parting after more than 10 years together, emphasizing respect and gratitude rather than drama.

Key points from official statements and news coverage include:

  • Brian had been dealing for years with Eagle syndrome, a rare condition that causes severe neck, jaw, and throat pain and can be physically and mentally exhausting.
  • He underwent surgeries and took time off from the band to recover, but the condition remained a major issue in his life and career.
  • The band announced they were “mutually parting ways” and wished him happiness and success, while assuring fans they would continue touring and playing the old songs with Eric stepping fully into the frontman role and Dylan supporting live vocals.

Brian’s side: health, family, and a “falling out”

Later, Brian opened up more in lengthy social media posts, painting a more emotionally complex picture while still trying to keep things respectful.

  • He talked about how the disease had “broken” him over the years and how he needed to step away for his own well‑being and for his family , saying he “couldn’t take this anymore.”
  • He stressed there was “no beef” and that the other members were not bad people, but admitted there had been a “falling out” and serious communication issues that built up over a decade, comparing it to a relationship or “divorce” that comes from lack of communication.
  • He framed his exit as part of “living his truth” and hinted that he wanted more control over his creative future, leading into his new project Scatterbrain with Tyler Smith.

Behind‑the‑scenes tension and fan speculation

Around and after the announcement, fans on forums and social media discussed whether Brian had truly chosen to leave or had effectively been pushed out.

  • Some posts claimed he had been “kicked out” and pointed to his own references to a “falling out” and feeling he didn’t deserve how certain things went down, though he repeatedly asked fans not to attack the band and to still support I Prevail.
  • Later commentary noted possible disputes around songwriting rights and being blocked from releasing certain new music, suggesting ongoing business/contract tensions after the split.
  • Overall, there is no single public “smoking gun”: instead, there is a mix of serious health problems, burnout, family priorities, internal communication breakdown, and normal music‑industry business friction over time.

What he’s doing now

Brian has shifted focus toward new music and a fresh identity outside of I Prevail.

  • He has talked about wanting to “change the music industry” and be more authentic to himself, hinting at taking a more independent, experimental route musically.
  • His project Scatterbrain with Tyler Smith has been presented as a creative outlet born from everything he went through—fame, illness, strained relationships, and rebuilding a sense of purpose.

TL;DR: Brian didn’t leave I Prevail because of any one simple incident; it was a culmination of chronic Eagle syndrome health issues, emotional and family strain, internal communication problems and a “falling out,” plus a desire to start fresh creatively, even as both sides tried to keep the public split as respectful and drama‑free as possible.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.