Review: MGSM, aka, Metalgearsolidmadonnas - Reload / Viking Queen / Supreme 7" (FUZZ0FF1)

This is the first in the new Dig The Fuzz singles club, and what a way to kick off. Dig The Fuzz are a small label specialising thus far in hard-to-find sixties psych with their 'Incredible Sound Show Stories' comps. They are now branching out with a new singles club. It's set up nicely - £2.50 upfront payment sees you 'join' (lifetime membership!) the club and that gives you preferential status re: pre-orders as well as a host of extra goodies - downloads, videos etc

The first single is by MGSM (aka Metalgearsolidmadonnas) and, as a product, is beautiful - limited to 250 copies in silver vinyl housed In a handmade holographic silver rainbow sleeve and would look fine gracing any vinyl lovers shelves. Musically it's a monster, as it should be with MGSM comprising of members (past and present) of The Cult Of Dom Keller, Spectrum, Heresy, The X-Rays and the Spazzmatics. The A side - 'Reload & Viking Queen'- is a fuzzy slice of brutality, stoner punk if you will. The vocalist, Annie, puts in a lung-shredding turn and at times sounds like HR from Bad Brains (and that's a good thing, musically anyway - HR has some dubious views on homosexuality!). The guitars have the right amount of fuzz to keep the psych/space-heads happy.

'Supreme' has a heavier feel to it, a bit more bluesy but still as heavy as hell.Annie gives full rein to her internal Janis Joplin. Club members get a 3rd track via download - 'Barbarossa' is in the same vein - heavy, scuzzy and best played loud.

Non-Members can buy the single from the Dig The Fuzz Bandcamp page or their ebay page, or go directly to the label's webpage. A very solid debut single and I am seriously looking forward to the next in the series.