Turn It Up To 11: Jimmy Bhore of Zygnema

American parody heavy metal band Spinal Tap is the reason guitar amplifiers are loud, to the extent that they go beyond the level 10 knob. One among the many gags from This Is Spinal Tap, the “Up to 11” phrase is now an in-joke among scene metalheads for a laugh and a half. 

In the run up to the Rolling Stone Metal Awards, we’re asking the metal community which metal [and non-metal] tunes they’ve been blasting on their playlists. Our first edition features Jimmy Bhore, vocalist of Mumbai thrash/groove metal band Zygnema, who recently returned from Oslo, Norway, where they played at the Inferno festival.

Jimmy Bhore of Zygnema. Photo: Roycin D’Souza

Textures ”“ “The Sun’s Architect”

This is usually the first song I play when I hit the shower. It’s a brilliant execution of balance between melody and aggression.

Judas Priest ”“ “Devil’s Child”

I grew deeper into metal listening to Priest. Recently, I got hold of Metal Works [the first metal record I heard] and copied it on my phone for old times’ sake. Shit still sounds badass, and always will.

A Perfect Circle ”“ “The Nurse Who Loved Me” [Failure cover]

This one instantly calms me down whenever I listen to it. I love everything about this song: the arrangement, the overall flow and the open-ended lyrics which change the meaning of the song according to my mood, which makes it weird, but awesome.

The Lightyears Explode ”“ “I Am a Disco Dancer”

When I heard this song for the first time, I couldn’t believe the awesomeness my ears were being subjected to. The melody has refused to leave my head since then and I’m proud it’s a product of India.

Frédéric Chopin ”“ “Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65”

I’m listening to this most of the time when my headphones are on. I love the sound of a cello and the classical piano also works for me, but together, they sound magnificent.

[As told to Arunima Joshua]

Tune in every day for our new column, Turn It Up To 11.