Heavy Metal Friar

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

I wasn't sure where to put this...really I wasn't. So I settled on religion and philosophy considering this has the greatest implication on his religion than anything else I suppose.

MILAN (Reuters) - Dressed in his traditional brown robe, sandals and twirling the rope around his waist, 62-year old Friar Cesare Bonizzi is no ordinary heavy metal rocker.

But as guitarists around him grind out heavy notes, the long-white-bearded Capuchin, a former missionary in Ivory Coast, has no qualms bobbing his head and shouting lyrics about alcohol, sex, tobacco and life in general into his microphone.

Describing himself as a "preacher-singer," Bonizzi has been singing for over a decade, and last month wowed heavy metal fans at Italy's "Gods of Metal" festival, where he performed with his band Fratello Metallo (Metal Brother) alongside groups such as Iron Maiden.

Source (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080718/music_nm/italy_friar_dc)

[kmortis]

Um...ok, there's quite a few Christian metal bands (of varying quality). Some that are even lead by ordained ministers (Rez Band's Glenn Kaiser comes to mind, even though they were more of a blues band). I even remember a Catholic metal band who's name escapes me at the moment.

I guess my point is...so? Ordination != not listen to/play metal.


ETA. Youtube has a few vids. They all seem to be recorded by folks in the crowd, so the quality isn't the best. This guy's band isn't bad. Isn't all that great either, but mixed in with Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and AC/DC it'd fit fairly well.

_ulsjtaCpko

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

Um...ok, there's quite a few Christian metal bands (of varying quality). Some that are even lead by ordained ministers (Rez Band's Glenn Kaiser comes to mind, even though they were more of a blues band). I even remember a Catholic metal band who's name escapes me at the moment.

I guess my point is...so? Ordination != not listen to/play metal.


ETA. Youtube has a few vids. They all seem to be recorded by folks in the crowd, so the quality isn't the best. This guy's band isn't bad. Isn't all that great either, but mixed in with Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and AC/DC it'd fit fairly well.

_ulsjtaCpko

I know there are Christian metal acts; that really wasn't what it was about. It was about that the man is an elderly friar who isn't using the band to convert and has no qualms with singing about alcohol, sex, etc. etc. I guess I should have high-lighted that part seeing as how people probablly aren't going to go read that news article.

I'm just curious about what people's thoughts are; I think it's great personally.

ETA: I suppose I'm trying to get people's thoughts on an individual not using the band as a tool for conversion. Which really sets him apart in not only the Christian music scene but any scene that have specific religious or political agendas. I just find it fascinating and very positive for the scence. I'm not about to jump back to 13; don my black and white face-paint and gauntlets and shout on about how Christians in metal is "vntrve".

[kmortis]

I know there are Christian metal acts; that really wasn't what it was about. It was about that the man is an elderly friar who isn't using the band to convert and has no qualms with singing about alcohol, sex, etc. etc. I guess I should have high-lighted that part seeing as how people probablly aren't going to go read that news article.

I'm just curious about what people's thoughts are; I think it's great personally.

Oh, ok then.

I'll say this, for an old friar, he belts it out. I just wish I could understand a freaking thing he's saying.

[AgeGap]

62 is young compared to some of my rock gods.

[Morrigan]

I know there are Christian metal acts; that really wasn't what it was about. It was about that the man is an elderly friar who isn't using the band to convert and has no qualms with singing about alcohol, sex, etc. etc.

That fact, alone, makes his band a hundred times better than any "christian metal" band in existence. And I can say that without having even heard his music.

[RobRoy]

Oh, ok then.

I'll say this, for an old friar, he belts it out. I just wish I could understand a freaking thing he's saying.

Agreed. It would help my analysis if I knew what the lyrics are about sex, drinking and tobacco. If it's "sex is good if you're married, drinking is fine in moderation, and tobacco isn't a sin but might give you cancer" then there's not much controversy there.

My favorite beer is made by the Chimay Trappist monks. Nothing says faith like 9% alcohol by volume! :D

[TX50]

Randi should form a metal band.

[kmortis]

Agreed. It would help my analysis if I knew what the lyrics are about sex, drinking and tobacco. If it's "sex is good if you're married, drinking is fine in moderation, and tobacco isn't a sin but might give you cancer" then there's not much controversy there.

My favorite beer is made by the Chimay Trappist monks. Nothing says faith like 9% alcohol by volume! :D

Ahh yes, the Trappists. Quite probably the best thing the Catholic Church ever gave humanity. Give me a good red label any day of the week.

Of course, I live not far from the Ommegang Brewery, which puts out a fine rendition of the same. I'll have to have a taste-off one day...or weekend.

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

Agreed. It would help my analysis if I knew what the lyrics are about sex, drinking and tobacco. If it's "sex is good if you're married, drinking is fine in moderation, and tobacco isn't a sin but might give you cancer" then there's not much controversy there.

My favorite beer is made by the Chimay Trappist monks. Nothing says faith like 9% alcohol by volume! :D

I think the article said something about how sex is great if done in moderation and how drinking can "warm the heart but hurt the liver". I'm looking for somebody who can speak Italian and translate.

[Morrigan]

Reminds me of The County Medical Examiners (http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=2169), a real death metal/grindcore band made up of three doctors in medicine.

Randi should form a metal band.
He participated in Alice Cooper concerts years back, close enough. :D