URIAH HEEP's BERNIE SHAW On Singer Switch: 'I Feel I'm Leaving You In Very Capable Hands'

Progressive rockers URIAH HEEP will be rejoined by an old friend
for a limited run of dates in May 2013 when they tour The Netherlands,
Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. John Lawton, who was lead vocalist between 1976 and 1979, will reunite with the group to cover for Bernie Shaw, who requires some time off for a routine medical procedure. John had already been confirmed to perform as a one-off guest at an outdoor amphitheatre HEEP show in Spain on July 12. This show at San Javier will now feature
both singers and will serve as an occasion for the band to thank John. As the shows will be recorded for official bootlegs, it promises to be a real treat for the fans. The sets will be skewed to songs reflecting John's original tenure with the band, a celebration of classic 1970s URIAH HEEP. this will be a unique chance to catch such a nostalgic performance, fronted by an ex-URIAH HEEP legend, always a friend of the band, who has returned while Bernie Shaw recuperates.

Commented Bernie (pictured below): "To all the lifelong fans and followers of URIAH HEEP, I'm afraid I'm being forced to step back from position of lead singer
of one of the best damn rock and roll bands on the live circuit today,
albeit for just a couple of weeks rehabilitation, due to medical
reasons.

"In order to fulfil contractual obligations, we came up with the idea of contacting John Lawton to ask if he would do the legacy proud, so to speak and do the shows
that I won't be able to do. He's got the history, and by God, he still
has the voice! John and I will be sharing the same stage and
singing together in San Javier, Spain later on this summer. 'Till then, I feel I'm leaving you in very capable hands, and a rare chance to see John singing songs from his era in this present lineup. I am most indebted to John and salute his passion."

In true HEEP style, the gig schedule is as busy as ever. The "Nail On The Head" tour has already seen the band perform 10 acclaimed shows across the
U.K. and the band will have performed across much of Europe by the time
they take the Download stage — helping to kick things off in style with an appearance on the opening date, June 14.

Originally founded by Mick Box in 1969, URIAH HEEP is truly one of the pivotal classic acts that helped define the rock sound and an era. Part of the fabled "Big Four" alongside LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE, the HEEP story still has a long way to go. With classic songs like "Lady In Black", "Gypsy", "Easy Livin'" and "Stealin'" full of ambition, sophisticated writing, memorable tunes and, of
course, the vocals — the five-part harmonies were a clear influence on
the operatics of QUEEN.

URIAH HEEP was the first Western rock band to perform in Russia, they have headlined at stadiums worldwide: truly they've ensured their place at rock's top table. With Mick Box always at the helm, URIAH HEEP tours all over the world and is one of music's most exciting and reliable live acts.

In a more-than-40-year career, URIAH HEEP has released 23 studio albums and sold more than 40 million units; the most recent release was 2011's "Into The Wild".

While the band is thrilled to welcome back an old friend in John Lawton, the HEEP story rolls on, and more new music is to come soon.

SCALE THE SUMMIT: New Song Available For Streaming

"Odyssey", a brand new song from progressive instrumentalists SCALE THE SUMMIT, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "The Migration", which will be released in North America on June 11 via Prosthetic Records. Recorded earlier this year at North Carolina's Basement Studios with producer Jamie King (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, HE IS LEGEND, FOR TODAY), the CD will feature cover artwork by illustrator Duncan Storr (HAWKWIND, EDGE OF SANITY).

"The Migration" track listing:

01. Odyssey
02. Atlas Novus
03. The Olive Tree
04. Narrow Salient
05. Oracle
06. Evergreen
07. The Dark Horse
08. Willow
09. Sabrosa
10. The Traveler

"The Migration" marks the recording debut of new SCALE THE SUMMIT bassist Mark Michell. The album will be released just days after SCALE THE SUMMIT hits the road with INTRONAUT on a summer North American tour.

SCALE THE SUMMIT's 2011 effort, "The Collective", saw the band tour alongside the likes of PERIPHERY, CYNIC, FAIR TO MIDLAND, THE CONTORTIONIST, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, PROTEST THE HERO and TRIOSCAPES. Since that album's touring cycle ended late last year, the band has kept busy, with guitarist Chris Letchford launching his own signature series Strandberg guitar and bassist Mark Michell releasing an instructional book.

SCALE THE SUMMIT's third album, "The Collective", sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of
release. The CD landed at position No. 39 on the Top New Artist Albums
(Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and
developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top
100 of The Billboard 200.

The follow-up to 2009's "Carving Desert Canyons", "The Collective" was recorded at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (DEVILDRIVER, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER).

SCALE THE SUMMIT formed in 2005 while attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.
The band relocated to Texas in 2006, where they recorded their first,
self-released album. After signing with Prosthetic, they issued "Carving Desert Canyons", which Revolver called "a cinematic blast of intricately melodic fretwork and pummeling percussion," in 2009.

LEPROUS: 'Coal' Artwork Unveiled

Norwegian progressive metallers LEPROUS will release their new album, "Coal", on May 28 in North America (May 20 in Europe) via InsideOut Music. The cover artwork for the CD was created by acclaimed American artist Jeff Jordan, who produced the artwork for the band's last album, "Bilateral", in addition to working with THE MARS VOLTA.

Comments LEPROUS: "The artwork for this album was a hard nut to crack. We wanted
something dark, melancholic but with a distinct character. We tried
several solutions without finding the perfect supplement for the music,
before we decided to contact Jeff Jordan once again. Jeff immediately had wonderful ideas that we decided to pursue. The artwork of 'Coal' is, in [our] opinion, the most iconic we've had so far."

LEPROUS has just finished filmed a video for the track "The Cloak" and, most suitably for the album's theme, the clip was shot in a mine.

Says
the band: "We spent one very long day inside the Konnerud Hill Mines
here in Norway, getting some very interesting footage. The video, just
like the clip for 'Restless' on our previous album, was made by Twichty Films, but we promise you no fish or cake was harmed this time around. A dark, moist atmosphere, far into the deep..."

LEPROUS will perform at various prominent summer festivals (Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, Tuska, etc.) and headlining a European tour from September to November 2013 to promote "Coal".

RUSH Members Hope For More 'Prog Rock' In Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

According to The Pulse Of Radio, the members of RUSH hope that their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on Thursday night (April 18) will pave the way for more progressive and heavy rock acts to get inside the doors. Bassist Geddy Lee said, "I hope this means other great bands like YES will follow suit. DEEP PURPLE was on the ballot this year, and I was hoping they'd get in with us. We wouldn't be the band we are without DEEP PURPLE's existence."

Guitarist Alex Lifeson added that he hoped RUSH's long-awaited inclusion "opens the doors for bands like the MOODY BLUES and KING CRIMSON . . . it's odd to have (a Hall Of Fame) where there seem to be guidelines for who's acceptable and who's not."

Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of FOO FIGHTERS will induct RUSH at the 28th annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, which will held at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live. It will be broadcast on HBO on May 18.

Lee told Rolling Stone that he's happy that the fans that have wanted the honor for RUSH have finally achieved their goal. "It's a terrific honor and we'll show up smiling," he said. "It made my mom happy, so that's worth it. . . It was a cause they championed. I'm very relieved for them and we share
this honor with them, for sure."

DREAM THEATER Keyboardist Launches Fundraising Campaign For Solo Projects

Jordan Rudess, the keyboardist for Grammy-nominated prog rock/metal icons DREAM THEATER, has teamed up with PledgeMusic to launch his next campaign starting today, April 22. Through PledgeMusic — a music company offering artists a new music model to take control of their work through their online, hands-on, direct-to-fan music platform — and the support of his fans, Jordan will release brand new
music, technology and videos while encouraging fans to participate in
the creative process in exciting and unique ways.

Rudess has designed a tailored fundraising campaign to raise money to help
release his upcoming projects. As a pledger, you will gain access to
exclusive content and experiences and PledgeMusic will keep you informed of the project’s status every step of the way.

"It’s been a few years since I recorded my last solo album, 'Notes On a Dream'," comments Rudess. "The inspiration has been flowing ever since and I’m now ready to set forth in recording my orchestral piece, 'Explorations', as well as my solo piano album, 'Explores'. You know that I am not one to sit back and drive on the traditional
path so we are going to explore some cutting edge technology options.

"For 'Explorations', we will be creating an entirely virtual orchestral experience. We will
bring virtuoso instrumental players into the studio and not only make an audio recording but also capture them on film with the goal of creating a unique, visual experience.

"My solo piano album, entitled 'Explores', will be created as a completely interactive iOS app experience in
addition to being made available in a CD and digital download format.
You can sit back and simply enjoy the album or add your personal touch
or play a duet with me and share your version with your friends.

"Things
have changed so much in the music business in recent years and now we
have the possibility of coming directly to all of you, the fans, to get
involved and to be a part of making this happen. No longer are we
subject to what was, rather, what is possible!!

"By enlisting YOU and working through PledgeMusic, the pipelines will be running with unfiltered Jordan Rudess creativity! As a member of my team, you will be able to follow along
with me as these projects come to life — sharing the journey and the
inspiration to explore new musical and interactive frontiers.

"Your pledge will pre-order the new album."