Metal Inside(r) Home Quarantine is Metal Insider’s new column during this time of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked artists five questions on what’s been keeping them busy ranging from their favorite movies, food they’ve been eating, music they’ve been listening to and more. We caught up with Fleshgod Apocalypse’s Paolo Rossi (vocals/bass) as he’s been keeping himself busy with giving online bass lessons, watching sci-fi, and finding ways to stay productive.
What have you been doing to pass time during Quarantine?
I try to have a daily routine, eating and sleeping at the same hours. This is very important to keep you focused and don’t get overcomed by the quarantine. Most important thing, never forget to wash your body and hair, even if you live alone (like me) and nobody can see you eheheh! I rediscovered the pleasure of doing puzzles, I’m doing online bass lessons and lots of indoor workout. I keep myself busy! I’m also playing bass a lot: i’m using this time at home to get better, as there’s always something new to learn. Of course I spend my time watching TV series and doing video calls too!
Have you been listening to any music or have any playlists worth checking out?
I’ve been listening to a lot of jazz lately: Monk, Coltrane, Hawkins, Mingus, Ellington..amongst the others. Check out SOLO MONK from 1964! Classical music is always on my playlist!
Beethoven (Pathetique – Moonlight Sonata – Appassionata), Wagner (Tristan Und Isolde) Vivaldi (Le Quattro Stagioni). I’m also fascinated by Post Rock: God Is An Astronaut (all discography!!!), If These Trees Could Talk (Bones of the Dying World), Tides From Nebula (From Voodoo to Zen). Of course metal! Iron Maiden and Iced Earth discography, Alcest (Écailles de Lune), Nightwish (Imaginaerum / Endless Forms Most Beautiful). Cattle Decapitation (Death Atlas)
A lot of people have been spending this time cooking including making their own bread, what food have you been prepping during this time?
I got a lot better at it! I’m not baking since I don’t eat bread. For my diet I have to choose between pasta and bread and I chose pasta (of course!). Carbonara, Amatriciana, Pesto alla genovese, Arrabbiata are my top ones for pasta! But I’m also cooking risotto (shrimp and zucchini is my fav!) veggie couscous, homemade hummus, a lot of fish in the evening. Sometimes grilled meat with avocado salad. Pizza every 2 weeks, delivered ahahah!
In terms of entertainment, what movies, TV shows, books, or games have been keeping you busy?
As I said before, I watched a lot of TV shows! I’m watching Salvation and Battlestar Galactica at the moment. I finished Mars and Lost In Space. I’m a lot into SCI-FI stuff! I’m reading (for the 100th time) Lord Of The Flies. That’s one of my favourite books, which explains a lot about the evilness of human nature and I’m also reading Asimov (foundation cycle). I’m not a videogamer… I get sick of it easily. I prefer analogic stuff like puzzles or rubik cube, I’m pretty old fashioned!
What advice do you have for your fans in isolation during this time?
Well, keep yourself busy! Try to learn from this experience cause every bad moment can be turned into something good. Be productive, you’ll find a way! As life teaches us everyday, not the strongest nor the smartest will survive but rather the one most adaptable to change!
