Bassist Arif Mirabdolbaghi of the Canadian tech-metal punk act PROTEST THE HERO will sit out the rest of the band's current "Volition" touring cycle in order to focus on "other projects at home." His replacement on the road will be the band's longtime friend, producer and creative collaborator Cameron McLellan.Says PROTEST THE HERO in a statement: "Arif has decided that the touring schedule we have signed up for to support 'Volition' is more intense than what he is prepared to commit. He is actively involved with other projects at home and being a full-time band member isn't a practical thing. "Though he has, and will be, missed out on the road with his brothers, everything was left on a positive note and we are open to his involvement down the road and only time will see how it all plays out. In the meantime, our longtime friend and tourmate Cam McLellan will be filling in on bass duties for the rest of the cycle. As an amazing musician, co-writer and producer of 'Volition', he is more than capable to pick off where Riffy left off. "Don't fret, Cam's working on his giant happy smile and well-placed high kicks during our set!"As previously reported, PROTEST THE HERO was honored in the "Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year" category at this year's Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards), which was held on March 30 in Winnipeg after a week of musical celebrations across the city.PROTEST THE HERO's fourth studio album, "Volition", sold around 11,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 20 on The Billboard 200 chart.The long-awaited follow-up to 2011's "Scurrilous" (Vagrant), "Volition" was licensed to series of worldwide partners who are helping distribute and market it to both traditional stores alongside digital service providers, thus making the new record available on a worldwide scale. PROTEST THE HERO and Razor & Tie joined forces for the United States, while the album was released in Canada through Sony Music and in the rest of the word via Spinefarm. After the departure of longtime drummer Moe Carlson, PROTEST THE HERO enlisted LAMB OF GOD's Chris Adler to sit behind the kit for the recording sessions of "Volition". Now with extensive touring on the horizon, PROTEST THE HERO has decided to fill the slot permanently with Mike Ieradi.
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