BBW has reported that Three out of five members of the legendary Santa Barbara metal/punk rock hybrid SNOT — guitarists Mikey Doling (ex- SOULFLY ), Sonny Mayo ( SEVENDUST ) and bassist John Fahnestock ( KCUF , AMEN ) — reunited for the first time since the passing of SNOT frontman Lynn Strait . Mayo and Fahnestock joined Doling and his new band INVITRO for a cover of SNOT 's "Stoopid" during their November 1, 2006 performance at Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California.

SNOT frontman Lynn Strait died in a car accident in 1998, putting an end to a career that generated considerable promise but only one studio album, the 1997 Geffen Records release "Get Some" . Also killed was the band's mascot Dobbs , Strait 's dog who adorned the cover of SNOT 's debut album. The band had been recording their sophomore album and had completed 10 songs at the time of Strait 's tragic passing.

INVITRO recently finished recording its debut album, which will be released in early 2007 through GridIron Records , a new label founded by Doling , Kyle Turley (offensive tackle for Kansas City Chiefs ), Max Harris and former SNOT manager Nic Adler . Audio clips of the band's debut album can be heard at www.myspace.com/invitrorules .

Source Invitro

BBW has reported that Reformed German thrashers ASSASSIN will enter the studio in January 2007 to begin recording its fourth album, tentatively due next spring. A European tour will follow between April 20 and May 10. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

As previously reported, ASSASSIN is currently seeking a bassist for studio work and live shows. Interested parties can contact the group at info@assassin-online.de.

ASSASSIN earlier in the year inked a deal with Marquee Records to have its first two albums (1987's "The Upcoming Terror" and 1988's "Interstellar Experience" ) distributed in North/South America and Japan. The band's long-awaited third offering, "The Club" , is currently available for order via its official web site .

Source Assassin

WINGER's upcoming album, Winger IV, will now be released in North America on November 21st via Shrapnel Records. As previously reported, Winger IV was issued by Frontiers Records in Europe on October 20th. A full US tour is slated for early 2007. About their first studio album in 14 years, leader Kip Winger states that it "starts where Pull left off and moves into new directions. It mixes some classic hard rock like VAN HALEN and early Winger style, progressive and acoustic elements that may resemble GENESIS, MOTT THE HOOPLE or KING CRIMSON". The album artwork is handled by Ethan Van Sciver - a renowned comic book artist and penciller who has contributed (among others) to Cyberfrog, New X-Men, The Flash: Iron Heights and Impulse.

Source BW&BK