Veteran Italian extremists Blasphemer have been making scathing, anti-religious technical death metal for more than 20 years. The band recently dropped their third full-length album, January’s crushing, take-no-prisoners offering The Sixth Hour via Candlelight Records. But even though vocalist and bassist Clod “The Ripper” De Rosa and his bandmates — guitarists Simone Brigo and Nicolò Brambilla and drummer Davide Cazziol — specialize in the most brutal of heavy music, that doesn’t mean that they don’t enjoy a wide variety of sounds as fans and listeners. Shortly before The Sixth Hour’s release, we caught up with the group’s frontman to find out what albums he loves that might surprise diehard followers of his band. De Rosa had some great and seemingly improbable picks — from classical to country and beyond. Read on to check out what LPs he highlighted and to see Blasphemer’s upcoming live dates for 2020.
Franz Liszt – Hungarian Rhapsodies
The piano represents the essence of music, and Liszt can get the deepest feelings out of these compositions.
Mozart – Don Giovanni
The greatest musical masterpiece ever written. I have seen it also several times live.
Johnny Cash – American Recordings
My favorite soundtrack when I’m driving.
Tom Waits – Small Change
I totally love this album and it’s smoky, broken-hearted, whiskey-soaked atmosphere!
Type O Negative – October Rust
I am a huge fan of this incredible band. Lyrically, musically, emotionally, it was simply outstanding.
Blasphemer 2020 live dates:
Feb 22 – Stige Fest III – Campus Industry Music, Parma, Italy
May 9 – Incineration Fest 2020 – Camden Town, London, U.K.
May 21 – NTEY Deathfest 2020 – Kemp U Ferdinanda, Srbská Kamenice, Czech Republic
