Italian 'Heavy Metal Monk' Unveils New Look, Says He's Not Retiring From Making Music

November 19, 2009

According to the Italian news blog Musica Metal, Friar Cesare Bonizzi, the 63-year-old Italian self-described "preacher-singer" who has released a couple of albums with his heavy metal band FRATELLO METALLO (Metal Brother),took part in a live videochat yesterday hosted by Virgin Radio Italy, sporting his newly trimmed beard and hair, and discussing last week's news that he would retire from the limelight. During the chat, Bonizzi stated that he was not retiring from the music world but that the "Brother Metal" character had to be put to rest because it had grown too famous. He added that too much attention from the media had been placed on his long mane and white beard, so he cut them off to reduce the impact of his image. He also announced that he would release a new album sometime next year.

Bonizzi, who fell in love with heavy metal when he attended a METALLICA concert some 15 years ago, told Reuters fame had put him on the wrong path. But he still thinks heavy metal can be a means to spread the gospel message of pace and love.

"I think that metal is the strength of music itself. Metal is a brother," he said.

Friar Cesare Bonizzi's new look:

Friar Cesare Bonizzi's old look:

Reuters report on the "heavy metal monk":

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