Yes To Release The Director's Cut

From the footage of the 2003 world tour that didn’t make into the original edit, Classic Studio T present ‘Yes – The Director’s Cut’.
“This is for the thousands of fans that contacted us or put their feelings known on forums; that they wanted to see more of the live footage, which was used in Yesspeak, in particular, the show from Birmingham, which we recorded with 17 cameras and the Glastonbury Set.”
The DVD will be released into retail outlets from Sept 1st, 2008 and is currently available to Order Exclusively by visiting the label’s online store www.classicdvdshop.com
A new limited edition ‘director’s cut’ DVD recorded live during the 35th Anniversary World Tour. This is the ‘wonderous’ songs and the ‘wonderous’ stories of YES, the world’s finest progressive rock band. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage and previously unreleased live full-length tracks recorded at the N.I.A, Birmingham and The Glastonbury Festival which have only been seen before in edited clips and now due to the demand from fans, have been included in full in this new ‘Directors Cut’.
Featuring the ‘Classic’ line-up of YES
Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Alan White & Rick Wakeman

Tracks will include: Siberian Khatru, Magnification, Don’t Kill The Whale, In The Presence Of, We Have Heaven, South Side Of The Sky, And You And I, To Be Over/Clap, Show Me, Rick Wakeman Solo, Heart Of The Sunrise, Long Distance Runaround, The Fish, Awaken, I’ve Seen All Good People and Roundabout

The Official You Tube Trailer: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vsF1rTOqdTY

Classic Studio T worked extensively with YES throughout the 35th Anniversary Tour and produced the highly acclaimed YESSPEAK three-hour documentary DVD, narrated by The Who’s Roger Daltrey and YES ACOUSTIC DVD, which reached Number One in the UK Music DVD Charts in 2004.
For more information, visit: http://www.classic-media-group.com

Severe Weather Cancels Rush Concert

According to a posting on the web site of the Red Rocks Park And Ampitheatre near Morrison, Colorado (west of Denver), "the RUSH concert scheduled [to take place at the venue] tonight (June 5) has been postponed due to severe weather conditions. A rescheduled date will be announced shortly. Fans should hold onto their tickets, which will be honored pending confirmation of the rescheduled date."
RUSH recently donated $100,000 from the sales of tickets to its concert in Winnipeg, Canada to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, according to the Winnipeg Free Press. Bassist and singer Geddy Lee said in a statement, "My band mates and I are proud to be associated with the creation of a Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg. Canadians are uniquely positioned to be leaders in championing such causes, and we applaud the efforts of the Asper family in making this museum a reality."
The group will also sell museum T-shirts at all the remaining Canadian dates on its current tour, with all the proceeds also going to the museum's fundraising campaign. Fundraising chairperson Gail Asper said, "This generous donation demonstrates RUSH's commitment to advancing the cause for human rights in Canada and around the world. We are thrilled with this donation and encourage all RUSH fans to buy the T-shirts and wear them proudly."The T-shirt says, "My pals RUSH and I support the Canadian Museum for Human Rights."The museum, the first new one in Canada in 41 years, is expected to cost $265 million and will "explore the subject of human rights in order to enhance people's understanding of human rights, promote respect for others and encourage reflection and dialogue.
"RUSH's latest tour is in support of 2006's "Snakes & Arrows" album.

Moonjune Records To Release New D.F.A CD

MOONJUNE RECORDS is releasing on June 19th 2008, the very long awaited new studio album by Italian cult-followed progressive fusion masters D.F.A.. The new album is simply called "4TH". The band just performed at the Verona Prog Festival, on June 4th, followed by an upcoming performance at the prestigious Parisian venue Les Triton on June 18, 2008 as a part of Les Tritonales. To find out about Duty Free Area visit their websites at http://www.myspace.com/dutyfreearea or http://www.dutyfreearea.it

Visit Moonjune's website at http://moonjune.com

Yes Cancels Upcoming Tour

Legendary rock band YES announced today that the group will unfortunately be canceling their 2008 40thAnniversary Tour. The 26-city tour was scheduled to kick off in Quebec next month and run through the summer. YES frontman and founding member Jon Anderson wasa dmitted to the hospital last month after suffering asevere asthma attack. He has now been diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was told by doctors this weekend that he needs to rest and not work for a period of at least six months or suffer further health complications. Upon receiving this news the band has determined that their tour plans need to be put on hold.T icket refunds will be available at the point of purchase.
Said Jon Anderson, "In the wake of my recent respiratory attack, doctors have advised me to spend the coming months resting and recovering. Unfortunately, this means I won't be able to tour with YES this summer as originally planned. I'd like everyone know how deeply disappointed I am by this turn of events. I was looking forward to celebrating our music with the amazing family of YES fans once again; but as we all know, health must come before anything else. Wishing you all the very best..."
Said Chris Squire, "We were all looking forward to performing for our fans after a prolonged leave of absence from touring. I am especially regretful of the fact that I know many of our fans and friends have probably laid out non-refundable airfares and hotels,etc. in order to enjoy the YES shows this summer. Please join me in wishing Jon a speedy return to health, which at this point in time is our main concern."

Threshold To Headline Metal Inferno Festival

British progressive metallers THRESHOLD will headline the fifth edition of the Metal Inferno festival on November 1 in Lenzburg, Switzerland. Upcoming THRESHOLD shows:
Jul. 19 - Minnuendo Fest, Peralta, Spain
Jul. 26 - Rockin' Field Festival, Milan, Italy
Jul. 27 - Lagoa Burning Live, Lagoa, Portugal
Aug. 01 - No Budget Festival, Larissa, Greece
Sep. 26 - Summer's End Festival, Lydney, England
Oct. 05 - ProgPower Europe Festival, Baarlo, Holland
Nov. 01 – Metal Inferno Festival - Lenzburg,Switzerland
Jan. 17 - Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Holland
Jan. 18 - Zeche Carl, Essen, Germany

THRESHOLD released its first-ever "best-of" collection in November, featuring over 140 minutes of music from all their studio albums plus three previously unreleased single versions. Entitled "The Ravages ofTime (The Best of Threshold)", the two-disc set was issued by the band's previous label Inside Out Music on November 20 in the U.S. (one day earlier internationally).
The track listing was selected by the band in conjunction with the label.

The Aurora Project Signs With Laser's Edge

Dutch progressive rock band THE AURORA PROJECT has inked a deal with the American label The Laser's Edge. The group's second album, titled "Shadow Border", is currently being mixed by Joost van den Broek (AYREON,AFTER FOREVER) for a September release. According to a press release, "Shadow Border" will, once again, be a concept album. The record contains seven tracks, one of which is the 17-minute title cut. Commented guitarist Remco van den Berg: "Joost van den Broek is an absolute bull's-eye! He's a very nice guy and a real metal head. You will definitley hear this back in the mix. We cannot wait for the moment it will blow out of the speakers."

"Shadow Border" was recorded at the Excess studio (EPICA, GOREFEST) in Rotterdam, Hollland and will be mastered by Grammy award winner Bob Katz.

The Red Masque To Release New Album On ReR

The Red Masque's new album Fossil Eyes will be released in late June through RER USA. www.rerusa.com. The Red Masque have signed with the progressive, avant-garde label RER USA and will be releasing their new album through the Ad Hoc Records divison. RER USA was founded in 2003 by David Kerman as the exclusive North American distributor of the English label, ReR Megacorp, a twenty five year old company that defines the vanguard of experimental, progressive, interesting and genre defying music.
The Red Masque expect to have the new album available at the North East Art Rock Festival (NEARFest) from June 20-22 at the RER USA vending booth for purchase. Members of the band will be on hand to sign copies. Fossil Eyes will be available through RER USA's webstore by late June.
http://www.theredmasque.com

Urian Heep To Cancel Tour

URIAH HEEP has cancelled its previously announced nine-date tour of Russia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus which was scheduled to commence in Chisinau, Moldova Wednesday, June 4th. According to the band,"the last-minute cancellation comes as a result of the tour promoter's complete lack of adherence to contractual stipulations concerning PA, lights, backline equipment, visas, tour itineraries, travel arrangements and failure to make scheduled payments.

The band stated: "URIAH HEEP bitterly regret having to cancel the tour, but over the past few weeks it has been impossible to finalize arrangements for the tour due to the promoters total failure to fulfil their contractual obligations or supply the band with the correct advance information. Cancelling the tour has come as a last resort and after extensive negotiations to resolve the issues, URIAH HEEP were not in a position to have any confidence that shows could be put on, or even take place, up to the band and the fans expectations. URIAH HEEP would like to apologize to all their fans for the cancellation due to a situation completely beyond their control and would certainly hope to be able to visit these countries again in the future to put on a show that the fans deserve."

URIAH HEEP's first studio album in almost ten years,"Wake The Sleeper", is due out this month via Universal Music. Recorded in 2007, "Wake The Sleeper" was produced by Mike Paxman (STATUS QUO, JUDIE TZUKE). This is the band's first album without their long-standing and original drummer, Lee Kerslake who sadly had to leave the band due to ill health in January 2007. Filling the drum stool for the very first time is the hugely well respected Russell Gilbrook (TONY IOMMI, VAN MORRISON, JOHN FARNHAM and LONNIE DONNEGAN).

Current band lineup is: Mick Box - guitar, vocals; Trevor Bolder - bass, vocals; Phil Lanzon - keyboards, vocals; Bernie Shaw - lead vocals; Russell Gilbrook - drums, vocals.

"Wake The Sleeper" track listing:

01. Wake The Sleeper

02. Overload

03. Tears Of The World

04. Light Of A Thousand Stars

05. Heavens Rain

06. Book Of Lies

07. What Kind Of God

08. Ghost Of The Ocean

09. Angels Walk With You

10. Shadow

11. War Child

URIAH HEEP's progressive heavy metal made the British band one of the most popular hard rock groups of theearly '70s. Formed by guitarist Mick Box and vocalist David Byron in the late '60s, URIAH HEEP released their debut album "Very 'eavy... Very 'umble" in 1970. Since then the band have released 20 studio albums and played to millions of fans across the globe. URIAH HEEP remain one of British rock's most consistent and long-standing acts with album sales of over 30 million worldwide. "Wake The Sleeper" will be URIAH HEEP's 21st studio album. "Wake The Sleeper" will also be released on vinyl as a1 2" limited edition in a stunning gatefold sleeve.

Jon Lord Of Deep Purple To Do Special Performance

Gareth Edwards of Scotsman.com reports:
As music teachers go, he has to be one of the coolest in town. DEEP PURPLE legend Jon Lord will be taking a group of budding Edinburgh rock stars under his wing as they prepare for a special performance of one of his seminal works. The six local students, aged between 16 and 22, will be playing with Lord, as well as the Scottish Philharmonic orchestra and students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Glasgow, next year.
It is thought to be the first time his rock/classical composition "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" has been performed in Scotland.