Veteran metal drummer Paul Bostaph has left Bay Area thrash band Testament to concentrate on his new band, BlackGates, which also features former Anthrax singer Dan Nelson, guitarist Jeremy Epp (the Venting Machine), and bassist Uriah Duffy (Whitesnake). In a recent statement, Testament reported that they are now actively seeking “the heaviest drummer on the planet.” Testament’s next album, The Dark Roots of Earth, is scheduled to be released this coming spring.