- Cesare Bonizzi
-
Fratello Metallo 
Background information Birth name Cesare Bonizzi Also known as Fratello Cesare Born 1946 Genres Heavy metal, hard rock, new age Occupations Musician, singer-songwriter, monk, Catholic Priest Instruments Vocals Years active 2008–2009 Associated acts Metalluminium Website Official website Brother Cesare Bonizzi (born 1946), also known as Frate Cesare and Fratello Metallo ("Brother Metal") - which was also the name of his band, is a Capuchin friar belonging to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, who was known as a heavy metal singer.
Contents
Biography
Bonizzi was born in 1946 in Offanengo, Italy. He entered a monastery in 1975, and subsequently carried out missionary work in the Ivory Coast. After returning to Italy he was ordained a priest in 1983.[1] Since 1990 he has been interested in using music as a means of contemplation and spiritual devotion, and he has released numerous albums in various styles from new age to rock. After seeing Metallica in concert, however, he became passionate about heavy metal as a musical vehicle.[1] According to him, "Metal is the most energetic, vital, deep and true musical language that I know."[2] He currently lives in the convent of Musocco, a district of Milan. In late 2009, he announced that he would no longer perform.[3]
Music
Although his full transformation to heavy metal is only found on Fratello Metallo's 2008 release Misteri, Bonizzi has recorded numerous albums in various musical genres. He cites Megadeth and Metallica as major inspirations on his transformation to metal.[4] With his new style of music, which he calls "Metrock" as a combination of metal and rock, he was the opening act at 2008's Gods of Metal, Italy's largest heavy metal festival.[1]
Bonizzi performed in full Franciscan habit. Although he was frequently mistaken as making the sign of the horns in concert, he actually extended his thumb along with the index and pinkie, which is the handsign for "I love you" in the American Sign Language.[4]
Discography
- Droghe
- Primi Passi
- L'Eucredo
- Il La Cristiano
- Straordinariamente Ovvio
- Maria Ed "Io"
- Come Fiamma
- Vie Crucis
- Fede Ballare
- Assisi Oggi
- Misteri
References
- ^ a b c "Padre Cesare, The Capuchin Missionary Who Plays Metal Music," IberPress.
- ^ Friar to open heavy metal concert
- ^ Heavy metal monk hangs up his mic, Reuters at ABC Online, 2009-11-16
- ^ a b "Even monks can get a heavy metal habit," Daily Mail (Friday, 20 June 2008), p. 15.
Categories:- 1946 births
- Living people
- Capuchins
- Heavy metal singers
- Italian Roman Catholics
- Musician stubs
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