Protest the Hero Drummer Leaves the Band

Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero announced today that their drummer, Mike Ieradi, is leaving the band. Their official statement is below:

“It’s with many emotions that we announce the departure of long time band mate and pal Mike Ieradi. Mike joined PTH in late 2013 as we were beginning to tour Volition. In addition to being a ripper on the kickers, Mike was a heavy-lifting writer on Pacific Myth and Palimpsest and you’ll even hear his influence on what we release next. We wish him all the best as he pursues greener pastures.

“Though we’ve yet to determine who will be filling his silly little drum shoes, PTH is planning to continue performing live and making new music in the not so distant future. More on that later.”

Ieradi included some words of his own as well:

“With nothing but love , I will be stepping away from Protest The Hero. Our show in Edmonton next month will be my last.

“It’s been just under a decade of the best times, the best pals, the most laughs, and incredible experiences.

“From the bottom my my heart, thank you to every single person who has made this chapter of my life unforgettable.”

Obviously it sucks to see a talented member of a band walk away but a decade is a long time and it appears on the surface that Ieradi is leaving Protest the Hero on good terms. It also means that new music is being worked on if we’ll hear the drummer’s influence on the next record.

Protest the Hero underwent a few lineup changes last year when they welcomed new live members Ben Davis on guitar and Henry “Hankzercules” Selva of The Human Abstract on bass.

The band’s last show with Ieradi will be on September 11 at Union Hall in Edmonton, AB, sharing the stage with Misery Signals.