Blue Oyster Cult Bassist Quits

The musician was drafted into the line-up in 2007 but has now left to pursue other projects.

Sarzo, who previously played with Ozzy Osbourne and Whitesnake, will now perform with Japanese band Animetal Usa, and he will be replaced by Kasim Sulton, who has worked with Meat Loaf and Joan Jett.

He tells Ultimate Classic Rock, "Due to my scheduling with other projects that I'm doing, it became a little bit hard for me to keep a really solid working schedule with Boc, so we amicably, we just basically parted ways. So they can actually find somebody who can devote more time to the band and I can actually pursue other bands that I'm doing."

The band adds in a statement, "Next time you see Boc, you'll notice a new face manning the bass... Kasim Sulton... has joined Boc taking the place of Rudy Sarzo, who has joined popular Japanese band Animetal Usa. Kasim comes with plenty of experience and amazing vocals to add to the mix, along with his own unique bass playing style."