Turn It Up To 11: Sidharth Kadadi of Zygnema

Zygnema guitarist Sidharth Kadadi (front) at the Rolling Stone Metal Awards 2011. Photo: Monisha Ajgaonkar

The machine behind the riffs for thrash/groove metal band Zygnema, Sidharth Kadadi, recently had the mosh pits going at their gig at Inferno festival in Oslo, Norway in March. The band also won the Best Band award and Best Song (“Theory of Lies and Negation”) in the Popular Choice category at the Rolling Stone Metal Awards in 2011. Judging by his current selection of tunes, Kadadi seriously has a liking for face-melting solos.

Suffocation ”“ “As Grace Descends”  

This is from their latest album, Pinnacle of Bedlam. I saw them perform at Inferno and they played a few tracks from the new album. The opening riff and the whole arrangement of this song blew me away. It’s something quite unexpected and very powerful. 

Testament ”“ “True American Hate” 

One of my favorite tracks from this album. Amazing lyrics, insane guitar riffs, extremely groovy drumming that will make your heart feel the tremors and a face-melting guitar solo.

Freak Kitchen ”“ “Teargas Jazz”

One word to define this band: “CRAZY”. Freak Kitchen actually proved music has no boundaries. This song will slap the taste out of you when you hear Carnatic melodies and scales fused with heavy metal, violin solos and more crazy odd-meter stuff. Bloody Geniuses. 

Vinnie Moore ”“ “Time Traveler”

This song will actually make you feel as if you are time traveler. Beautiful melodies and face-melting guitar solo.

Meshuggah ”“ “Dancers to a Discordant System”

This song is freaking retarded and pure mental orgasm. Each and every riff is like a chapter of book with morbid effects with a whole new direction. 

[As told to Arunima Joshua]