Heavy Metal Monk Leaves Band at Age 63

Brother Cesare Bonizzi attended a Metallica concert 15 years ago and fell in love with heavy metal. The Italian monk later formed Fratello Metallo (Metal Brother) and was its lead singer for two well-received albums. Bonizzi often performed on stage wearing a Franciscan brown robe and sandals, and stood out with a massive white beard.

At a recent show, one of his bandmates shaved off Bonizzi's beard to symbolize his latest decision to retire from heavy metal. The Burnley Express noted that he "put his retirement down to the devil making him too famous for his own good." Bonizzi still feels that the genre is useful in sending his message of peace and love. During the time of his drastic grooming, he commented, "I think that metal is the strength of music itself. Metal is a brother."

Last year, Fratello Metallo was the opening band at Gods of Metal, Italy's largest metal music festival. In 2008, his band released 'Misteri,' which is the best example of his presence as a heavy metal vocalist. Rather than throw up devil horns during performances, he'd use the handsign for 'I love you' in American Sign Language, which adds an extended thumb to a pinky and index finger.