Oh by the mighty Gawds of Fuzz, a huge seething hot lump of rock just rolled onto our doorstep. Something that they used to make in the hot South. But instead, the piece reaches us from America’s Dairyland.1 Rock with a Southern flavor straight from the heartland that this ‘zine is in dire need of. So, break out that bottle of Kentucky Bourbon and let ‘er rip.
Someone called 20 Watts Tombstone‘s newest blurb The Chosen Few Gritty Fuzz Rock and I would quite agree. ’70s style rock that could have sat straight on top of any ZZ Top record from this really astonishing era. The duo produces an avalanche of syrupy, sludgy, fuzz-laden Heavy Rock that really makes us want to kick back on the porch and enjoy a few of them songs. And we loved the bluesy groove that often appears at any odd moment. For instance, Chosen Few sports that weird AC/DC-style groove in full fuzz format.2 If that makes any sense at all, that is.
Boy, even the covers on that short piece will rock you just good. Albeit that sporting two cover songs on a 25-minute blurb poses a few critical questions. Yet, Chris Stapleton’s Midnight to Memphis sounds better than the original with 20 watts more. And the ZZ Top piece Just got Paid wins a few brownie points over the original’s more anemic version.3 So, what are we complaining about, they should have made more after all.
In short, The Chosen Few gave us a few damn’ great moments of red-hot rock full of the aforementioned rough-hewn grit and tough love. A welcome respite from all that feisty metal we have gone through lately. Great record, and 20 Watt Tombstone will certainly remain on our watchlist for future spicy delights.
Ed’s note: Had enough of syrupy and sticky rock? Try Cirkus Prütz. They’re gonna inject some snazzy energy.
Label: Self-Released | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 20 October 2023