Testament Part Ways With Bassist

San Francisco Bay Area thrash heroes Testament have announced the departure of bassist and original member Greg Christian. Past member and fretless metal bass pioneer Steve DiGiorgio is set to take his place and will appear with the band for their upcoming Soundwave shows.

“It is with much respect that we announce our mutual parting with bassist Greg Christian,” opens a statement from the band. Aside from stints playing with Death, Autopsy, and Iced Earth, DiGiorgio was also a member of Testament for 1999’s The Gathering and 2001’s First Strike Still Deadly.

“Steve will also be taking part in the new TESTAMENT album,” the band write. Last year, frontman Chuck Billy told Rock Overdose that the band “are going to start writing and recording early next year,” adding that writing and recording would take place between January and April.

Christian left the band’s North American tour with Lamb of God and Killswitch Engage in November citing “personal reasons.” The band recruited Exodus bassist Jack Gibson to take over. According to Blabbermouth, Christian is gearing up to announce a new musical project of his own.

“[I am] just home with my 4-year-old, being Dad…and [by the way] I’ll have a musical announcement soon. As soon as the vocals are ready…I just don’t want to say too much until I can bust it out. And it’s dependent on the vocals now,” writes Christian on his personal Facebook page.

Testament Greg Christian Departure Announcement

It is with much respect that we announce our mutual parting with bassist Greg Christian. Metal fretless bass pioneer Steve Di Giorgio 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.

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