Legendary Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT have released the following statement:

“It is with much respect that we announce our mutual parting with bassist Greg Christian. Metal fretless bass pioneer Steve DiGiorgio will be returning to Testament.

Steve previously was a member of Testament on The Gathering (1999) as well as First Strike Still Deadly (2001). He will be joining Testament on their upcoming shows in Australia on the Soundwave Festival, Japan and Mexico City. Steve will also be taking part in the new Testament album.

We are looking forward to continuing the momentum you, the fans, have made possible.”

Find Testament's live itinerary here.

Testament frontman Chuck Billy has been confirmed for Metal Masters 5, due to take place on January 22nd at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, CA. He will be performing three or four songs.

Confirmed musicians scheduled to perform at Metal Masters 5 include:

Philip Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)

Kerry King (SLAYER)

Rex Brown (KILL DEVIL HILL, PANTERA, DOWN)

Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, THE WINERY DOGS)

Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)

Frank Bello (ANTHRAX)

David Ellefson (MEGADETH)

Gary Holt (EXODUS, SLAYER)

Chris Broderick (MEGADETH)

Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS)

Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)

Check out footage of MEGADETH's David Ellefson and Chris Broderick talking about Metal Masters 5 below:

“Metal Masters started out as two bassists teaching a clinic and has gone on to become a spectacle that includes some of the greatest musicians that defined a genre” says Samson’s Director of Marketing and Metal Masters founder, Mark Menghi, “What better way to learn, than seeing these amazing performers up close and personal teaching their own personal techniques of the trade. Metal Masters has always been about doing something special for the fans and that will never go away.”

If the still circulating buzz from Metal Masters 4 is any indication, Metal Masters 5 will not disappoint. Metal Masters 4 marked the clinic’s return to New York City where it played before a sold-out crowd at the Gramercy Theater. The evening featured musical clinics by Frank Bello, Scott Ian, Billy Sheehan, Charlie Benante and an opening set by PHILM featuring Dave Lombardo. The concert finale that night was one for the ages featuring metal classics such as Anthrax’s “Room For One More,” Pantera’s 'Mouth For War' and '5 Minutes Alone' as well as Slayer’s 'Chemical Warfare' to name a few. The 13-song set let the crowd know they had just witnessed a once in a lifetime moment.

Tickets are only $25. For more details visit Facebook.