Brother Metal

A monk and his music.....

Brother Cesare is the lead singer in a heavy metal band which has just released its second album.
The 62-year-old monk's love affair with heavy metal began when he attended a Metallica concert some 15 years ago. "I was overwhelmed and amazed by the sheer energy of it" he says.

He had to do some convincing.

The members of his band were at first sceptical at the idea of teaming up with a Capuchin monk but their doubts soon evaporated. "Five minutes after meeting Brother Cesare I decided to go ahead, because he manages to convey so much energy, that other musicians and youngsters often don't manage to express," lead guitarist, Cesare Zanotti, told Reuters.

He's getting noticed.

Brother Metal recently appeared in the Gods of Metal festival in Italy, along with giants such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Slayer, playing to a crowd of leather-clad hard-core metal fans.

He's not doing it to proselytize.

He does touch on faith and religion but is adamant that he is not seeking to draw people to Catholicism through his stage performances.

"I do it to convert people to life, to understand life, to grab hold of life, to savour it and enjoy it. Full stop" he says.