Shot by the Cupid, Touched by the Devil

Zoo Freaks, get ready for a wild ride as The Zoo Crew spins the hard-hitting track "Shot by the Cupid, Touched by the Devil" by Girish And The Chronicles from their album Back on Earth. This song, a fiery blend of 80s-inspired hard rock, captures the push and pull of love’s thrill and torment. According to the band’s frontman Girish Pradhan in a 2023 interview with Frontiers Music, the track was re-recorded for the 2023 re-release of Back on Earth to reflect the band’s evolved live performance energy, with new breakdowns and solos that amplify its raw edge. The lyrics, like “Here comes the arrow, here comes the rain / Shot by the Cupid, touched by the devil,” were written to evoke the chaotic duality of passion, a theme that resonates with the band’s love for classic rock anthems. Fun fact: the song’s driving rhythm and gritty guitar riffs were crafted to channel the spirit of bands like Whitesnake and Van Halen, making it a staple for headbanging Zoo Freaks.

The origins of "Shot by the Cupid, Touched by the Devil" trace back to the band’s early days, with the original version appearing on the 2014 release of Back on Earth. Girish shared in a Wikipedia feature that the album, including this track, was born from a carefree era when the band was just a group of young rockers from Sikkim, India, hungry to make their mark. The 2023 re-recording, as Girish explained, was a chance to fix technical limitations from the original, giving the song a punchier, more polished sound while keeping its rebellious heart. Fans on the Indian Rock and Metal Community Facebook group have praised the updated version for its beefed-up production, with some calling it a love letter to 80s glam metal that still feels fresh for today’s airwaves.

Girish And The Chronicles kicked off their rock ‘n’ roll journey in 2009 in Gangtok, Sikkim, founded by vocalist Girish Pradhan. The band, now based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, since 2013, includes Girish on vocals, Yogesh Pradhan on bass, Suraz Karki on lead guitars, and Nagen Mongrati on drums. Their early years were marked by scrappy gigs and a relentless drive to bring hard rock to Indian audiences. As noted in a Metal Storm bio, their big break came with a 2013 deal with Universal Music India, leading to the release of their debut album Back on Earth in 2014. The album’s raw energy and tracks like “Angel” caught the attention of VH1 and landed them a six-city Hard Rock Cafe tour. Despite initial struggles to reach a wider audience, their persistence paid off, with later albums like Rock the Highway (2020) and Hail to the Heroes (2022) earning global praise for their 80s-inspired sound.

The band’s rise wasn’t without challenges. Girish reflected in a Frontiers Music interview that early technical limitations held them back, but their live performances, supporting acts like Hoobastank and Nazareth, honed their craft. Their signing with Frontiers Records in 2021 marked a milestone, making them the first Indian band to join the label’s roster. Fans can connect with the band on their official website, follow their updates on Facebook, check out their vibrant posts on Instagram, and catch their latest riffs and thoughts on X. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the Indian Rock and Metal Community on Facebook is a great spot to join fellow fans and discuss GATC’s electrifying discography.