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 Ischemic guitarist Adam Korchok as he’s been spending this time working.
What have you been doing to pass time during Quarantine?
Luckily I’ve remained working as a Welder/Fitter for a company that creates sanitation systems for the pharmaceutical industry, including some of the big names being tossed around in the news like Pfizer, Merck and AstraZeneca. But to fill the time that I would have spent at shows and with friends, I’ve been watching a lot of mildly-educational YouTube videos on history/science/nature and business, playing virtual Dungeons and Dragons on Roll20.net and of course, writing riffs.
Have you been listening to any music or have any playlists worth checking out?
I do my best to try and keep up with the metal and other interesting music that has come out through the year, and so far the new Accept, King Gizzard and Asphyx have kept me happy, as well as some other favorites from 2020: Havukruunu’s “Uinuos syömein sota” and Apocalyptica’s “Cell-O”.
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 an Air fryer for Christmas so I’ve basically just been throwing everything into that! My girlfriend and I have been playing with various “X” Eggroll ideas (cheeseburger eggrolls, avocado egg rolls etc.) to great success.
In terms of entertainment, what movies, TV shows, books, or games have been keeping you busy?
Books: My world history textbook from university; “Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said” and “Second Variety” from Philip K. Dick, Ursula K Gein’s “Left Hand of Darkness” and also diving back into Frank Herbert’s DUNE series for the third time. I have been nerding out over Mandalorian and Wandavision, as well as keeping up with Family Guy (as inconsistent as it is lately). Most of my viewing is the YouTube videos I mentioned though, channels like PBS-Eons, Crash Course, Sci-Show, Weird History, Company Man and Kurzgesagt etc.
What advice do you have for your fans in isolation during this time?
Do what you can to get outside and feel the sun on your face and fresh air in your lungs. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with making friends online and is nothing to feel weird about, as even small, neutral human interactions will do you good. Also, don’t stop paying attention to what’s going on, as grim as it feels. A lot of important things are happening here and abroad, Covid-related or not, and it is imperative we don’t get bogged down in distraction and complacency.
