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 Ravenscry’s Giulia Stefani (vocals), Federico Schiavoni (guitar), Mauro Paganelli (guitar), Andrea “Fagio” Fagiuoli (bass) and Simon Carminati (drums) as they’ve been spending a lot of time listening to their Quarantine Playlist.

What have you been doing to pass time during Quarantine?

Fagio: I’ve been listening to a lot of music, I’ve been practicing and I’ve been trying to cheer up my friends with music through Instagram. I believe that music doesn’t have to stop, especially during these difficult times. 

Fede: Well, I’ve been listening to music of course, this is the main thing. I’ve been teaching guitar to my students via Skype and I’ve composed new stuff for Ravenscry too. This quarantine can’t stop the music, can it?

Giulia: Luckily I don’t have enough time to be bored, I have a baby and she is very lively and active so most of the day is focused on her. “Thanks” to her I have been doing a lot of physical exercise! LOL. Whenever I’m free I sit at the piano and relax singing, sometimes I also like to cook cakes and read a book and every night I try to watch a film or a series, anyway I fall asleep before the title appears and it is not uncommon!

Mauro: I’ve been playing the guitar more than usual and I found myself more creative. I’ve been trying to learn new stuff watching YouTube tutorials, online courses and reading a lot. I’ve been taking the situation as a personal development opportunity.

Simon: I’ve been getting in touch with our old friends and new fans, I’ve been preparing merchandise and cds for the preorders (I am the “mailman” of the band) in order to be ready right after the lockdown. I’ve also been working out, practicing meditation, practicing drums and writing some thoughts on my personal journal. 

Have you been listening to any music or have any playlists worth checking out?

Fagio: actually yes! We made our very own playlist for the quarantine, you can find it on our Spotify profile! Those are the actual songs we are listening to these days.

Fede: Yes, of course! As Fagio said previously, we made our very own playlist for the quarantine called “Ravenscry Selected 40 Quarantine songs” on Spotify. Yes, I’ve been listening to new releases of various genres everyday on Spotify. There are so many great songs and artists around the web to discover. I made my own playlist “New Discoveries” and add them to it!!!

Giulia: Yes, I have a few playlists on my phone and I’m listening to them on Spotify, these are very relaxing for me and they include every kind of music but classic rock and soul masterpieces are a must.

Mauro: Besides our Quarantine Playlist that I keep listening to a lot, I’ve been especially listening to movie soundtracks and meditation music

Simon: as I am missing the stage and getting a little nostalgic, I’m listening to the music of the bands we toured with in the past: Angra, Cellar Darling, Geoff Tate, Halcyon Way, Kobra and the Lotus etc etc. I miss all these guys and the good times we had on the road!

A lot of people have been spending this time cooking including making their own bread, what food have you been prepping during this time?

Fagio: I made pizza. It was a disaster.

Fede: As a hamburger addict, I tried to do a double cheeseburger. The result was pretty good, but I think cooking it’s not my way ahaha

Giulia: I made cakes, unfortunately.

Mauro: Nothing special, I’ve been trying to improve the cooking basics!

Simon: Well, I’m pretty good at cooking both standard dishes and some specialties, so instead of experimenting with something new in the kitchen, I tried to improve my cocktail mixing abilities: I needed some drinks for the Skype aperitifs with my friends. Oh, the results were quite satisfactory! 

In terms of entertainment, what movies, TV shows, books, or games have been keeping you busy?

Fagio: I’ve been watching a lot of TV series, mainly on Netflix, like Better Call Saul, Money Heist, The Office, Mr. Robot, BoJack Horseman and many more…

Fede: I’ve been watching a lot of movies, in this particular time the “John Wick ” trilogy: totally badass movies in my opinion ahah. I’ve been watching TV series too. My two favourites are “Rick And Morty” on Netflix and “The Boys” on Amazon Prime Video 😉

Giulia: About books, I have a coming-of-age story about an Italian writer on my night table. About TV series, I have been watching “Freud” on Netflix, I had expected this to be more interesting but I’m still only halfway… let’s trust it!

Mauro: Speaking of Tv shows I’ve been watching Money Heist. I’ve been reading a very interesting book, “Quadrivium –  The Four Liberal Arts of Number, Geometry, Music & Cosmology.” It gives you an amazing perspective of reality.

Simon: As far as TV series, I’ve been watching “Vikings” and “How I met your Mother,” for movies, I watched for the umpteenth time the trilogy of “The Lord of the Rings,” for books, I just finished “The Code of the Extraordinary Mind” by Vishen Lakhiani and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. Now I’d like to read something lighter, so I got the ebook of “Fever Pitch” by Nick Hornby.

What advice do you have for your fans in isolation during this time?

Fagio: Don’t get used to this, this is NOT normal. We will be back and we will be rocking more than ever!!

Fede: Stay strong and fight this isolation with music, art or whatever makes you happy and inspired. This situation will be over soon and we will be back to our wonderful NORMAL life.

Giulia: My advice is to do anything you like and, above all, do not forget the good things this quarantine is teaching us: give value to the important things, don’t waste and don’t underestimate the role of Art in our life.

Mauro: Don’t waste time. I think most of us have more time during the day now, so use your time learning and improving yourself!

Simon: take advantage of this time to become a better person and call your old friends…or get in touch with us if you want! 😉