How Heavy Metal Instrumental Music Became Popular in Figure Skating

How did heavy metal instrumental music become popular in figure skating? It all started with a Russian skater named Alexei Mishin.

Origins of Heavy Metal in Figure Skating

Heavy metal skating didn’t just start with “Rock of Ages.” It has its origins in a 1974 film called ” Baton Rouge.” The movie is about a young female skater who falls in love with a rebellious musician. It was this film that started the trend of using heavy metal songs as skating routines.

1970s-1980s: Early Days

In the early days of heavy metal, many skating rink DJs would play rock and roll records between sessions. This gradually led to heavier sounds being played as more and more figure skaters requested it. By the early 1980s, skating rinks were incorporating metal into their standard playlists. This was also the era when many of the now-classic skating songs were first composed.

1990s: Rise of Popularity

The early 1990s saw a significant rise in the popularity of heavy metal music in figure skating. A number of factors contributed to this trend, including the popularity of Extreme Sports and the increased exposure of figure skating to international audiences.

One of the most influential skaters to popularize heavy metal music in figure skating was Canada’s Kurt Browning. Browning is credited with popularizing a number of skating elements that are now considered standard, such as the triple Axel and the death drop. He also began using heavy metal music in his routines, including Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.”

As Browning’s popularity increased, so did the popularity of heavy metal in figure skating. By the mid-1990s, a number of other skaters were using heavy metal music in their routines, including American Tara Lipinski and Russian Maxim Pyzhov. The 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan saw a significant increase in the use of heavy metal music by figure skaters, with a number of athletes using songs by Metallica, AC/DC, and Megadeth.

The popularity of heavy metal music in figure skating has continued into the 21st century. A number of top skaters have used heavy metal songs in their routines, including American Johnny Weir and Japanese Daisuke Takahashi. In addition, many skating competitions now feature at least one dedicated category for routines set to heavy metal music.

Notable Heavy Metal Figure Skating Routines

Figure skating is a sport that has been around for centuries, and it is no stranger to controversy. In the early days of the sport, classical music was the norm for routines. However, in the 1970s, a new trend began to emerge. Figure skaters began using heavy metal songs as the soundtrack for their routines. This caught the attention of the media and the public, and it soon became a popular trend.

1992 Winter Olympics: Nancy Kerrigan’s “Carmen”

In 1992, Nancy Kerrigan was the reigning U.S. champion and a favorite to win Olympic gold in figure skating. Her biggest rival was Tonya Harding, who was seen as the bad girl of the sport. Just weeks before the Olympics, Kerrigan was attacked and injured by an assailant hired by Harding’s ex-husband. The attack made headlines around the world and put Harding and Kerrigan at the center of a media firestorm.

Kerrigan went on to compete in the Olympics, where she won a silver medal. Harding finished eighth. A few months later, Harding pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution and was given probation. She was subsequently banned from figure skating for life.

In 1994, Kerrigan was back at the Winter Olympics, this time as a member of the U.S. Figure Skating team. She skated to “Carmen” by Georges Bizet, which became one of the most memorable routines in figure skating history. The routine helped Kerrigan win a bronze medal and cement her place in sports history.

1994 Winter Olympics: Oksana Baiul’s “Carmen”

Oksana Baiul was the first skater to skate to classical music at the Olympics, and she chose Bizet’s Carmen. It was a controversial choice, and many people felt that it was inappropriate for the Olympics. However, Baiul’s performance was so well-received that it started a trend of skaters skating to classical music.

Since then, several skaters have choreographed routines set to heavy metal songs. One of the most famous examples is American skater Johnny Weir, who skated to “Lady Gaga’s Poker Face” at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Weir’s routine was praised for its creativity and technical difficulty, and he helped popularize the idea of skating to heavy metal music.

1998 Winter Olympics: Tara Lipinski’s “Carmen”

One of the most well-known and beloved routines in figure skating history was skated to none other than heavy metal music. Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski skating to a Mongolian heavy metal song, “Carmen”, in the 1998 Winter Olympics. This was a particularly special moment as it marked the first time that a female skater had won gold skating to music with vocals.

Lipinski’s victory was also notable for another reason- she was only 15 years old at the time, making her the youngest skater ever to win gold at the Winter Olympics. This record would stand for 20 years until it was finally broken by another teenage girl, Alina Zagitova of Russia, in 2018.

Lipinski’s “Carmen” routine is often credited with popularizing heavy metal music in figure skating. In the years since her historic victory, many other skaters have followed in her footsteps and performed routines to heavy metal songs.

The Impact of Heavy Metal in Figure Skating

Increased Popularity of the Sport

The popularity of figure skating increased in the early 1990s. This was in part due to the success of American skaters such as Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding, but also due to the increased media coverage of the sport. Technical advances in equipment and training also contributed to the popularity of the sport.

As the sport became more popular, heavy metal music began to be used more frequently in skating routines. The use of heavy metal music was initially controversial, but it soon became accepted by both skaters and fans.

Heavy metal music is now commonly used in figure skating routines. It is believed that the use of heavy metal music provides skaters with a mental and emotional edge that can help them perform at their best.

Wider Range of Music to Choose From

While most people think of classical music when they think of figure skating, the reality is that skaters have a wide range of music to choose from. In recent years, heavy metal music has become increasingly popular in the figure skating world.

Heavy metal music is characterized by its aggressive sound and fast tempo. This type of music often has a lot of distortion and can be quite loud. While it may not seem like the ideal choice for figure skating, many skaters enjoy the challenge of performing to this type of music.

One of the benefits of heavy metal music is that it gives skaters a wider range of music to choose from. In the past, most skaters only had classical or pop music to choose from. However, with heavy metal becoming more popular, skaters now have a much wider range of genres to choose from. This can be especially beneficial for skaters who want to skate to a specific type of music that they are passionate about.

Another benefit of heavy metal music is that it can be very motivational. The fast tempo and aggressive sound can help skaters get into a skating mindset and push themselves to their limits. This can be helpful for both practice and competitions.

Overall, heavy metal music has become increasingly popular in figure skating due to its benefits. This type of music gives skaters a wider range of genres to choose from and can be very motivating.