A metal singer from Italy has won a skiing medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The man in question is alpine ski racer Dominik Paris, who took home a bronze medal after taking part in the category at the ongoing Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy.
He is the second-oldest athlete to get a medal in the sport, aged 36, and his teammate Giovanni Franzoni took home the silver medal. Gold went to Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland.
When he isn’t focusing on skiing, Paris works as the frontman for an Italian groove metal band called Rise Of Voltage. As reported by Loudwire, he formed the band in 2017 alongside his brother, guitarist Lukas Paris, as well as bassist Frank Pichler and drummer Florian Schwienbacher.
They dropped their debut album ‘Time’ in 2018, and followed it up in 2024 with the LP ‘Escape’.
Over the weekend, Paris spoke to ESPN Originals about juggling the band and the sport, and described Rise Of Voltage as “ a passion” project. He also added that he has been interested in music since he was 14, and has “tried [to book] some gigs in the summer time.”
“It’s really different to be on stage with the band. It’s not easy to staying one hour on stage screaming out,” he told the outlet. “For me, I’m not that nervous when I do a ski race, because I know what I have to do.”
He also joked with the Midland Reporter Telegram that he was “for sure a better skier” than a singer, but thinks he is “not so bad” at fronting the metal band.
Speaking about his win at the Winter Olympics, he added: “Having this success on this hill means a lot. The World Cup is different. The Olympics are really special – you never know what’s going to happen. I tried so hard at the other Olympic Games when I was in good shape and I was young and I had the power.”
Paris has won 24 World Cup races throughout his career, but this latest victory marks his first Olympic medal.
According to the band’s website, they are set to perform later this summer at the Alpen Flair alongside bands like Ice Nine Kills, as well as at Mannreid Open Air in August. Visit here for more information, and check out Rise Of Voltage’s sound below.
This isn’t the only time lately that an Italian competition winner has been revealed to also have a background performing metal music.
Last November, Ignacia Fernández was crowned winner of the Miss World Chile pageant, after going viral for performing a death metal track as part of her segment.
As well as taking part in beauty pageants, the 27-year-old is also the frontwoman of a band called Decessus, and was joined by her guitarist, Carlos Palma, for her on stage performance.
“Metal has been a fundamental part of who I am as a person and in my life: a refuge, a source of strength and purpose,” she said after the victory.
“Being able to express it on stage at Chilevision and Miss Mundo Chile was an opportunity I deeply value. It was a great experience to break down barriers on open television, inspire, be real with it, and show that you don’t have to fear the prejudices of others.”
