Varg Vikernes

Varg Vikernes
Varg Vikernes in his mid-thirties wearing a camouflage hat
Vikernes in prison, 2008
Born
Kristian Vikernes

(1973-02-11) 11 February 1973 (age 51)
Fana, Bergen, Norway
Other names
  • Count Grishnackh
  • Greifi Grishnackh
  • The Count
  • Greven
  • Gandalf The White
  • Louis Cachet
  • Varg Qisling Larssøn Vikernes
  • ThuleanPerspective
Occupations
  • Musician
  • writer
Years active
  • 1988–present
Known for
Spouse
Marie Cachet
​
(m. 2007)​
Children8
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • bass
  • drums
  • synthesizer
  • keyboards
  • vocals
Member ofBurzum
Formerly of
Criminal information
Criminal charge
Penalty
  • 21 years in prison (1994)
  • 6 months probation and a €8,000 fine (2013)
Website
Signature

Louis Cachet (born Kristian Vikernes;[a] 11 February 1973), better known as Varg Vikernes (Norwegian: [ˈvɑrɡ ˈvìːkəɳeːs]), is a Norwegian musician and author best known for his early black metal albums and later crimes. His first five records, released under the name Burzum from 1992 to 1996, made him one of the most influential figures in the early Norwegian black metal scene.[3][4][5] He was convicted of murder and arson in 1994 and sentenced to 21 years in prison, being released after serving 15 years.[6]

A native of Fana in Bergen Municipality, Vikernes began playing guitar at the age of 14 and formed his first band, Kalashnikov (later known as Uruk-Hai), by 1989.[7] He went on to join the band Old Funeral, in which he played guitar from 1989 until his departure in 1991. He recorded multiple tracks with the band, which were featured on the Devoured Carcass EP, as well as various compilation albums released years later. In 1992, Vikernes, along with other members of the scene, was suspected of burning down four Christian churches in Norway. Vikernes denied committing the arsons, though he supported them. In 1992–1993, he also recorded bass for Mayhem's debut studio album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994).

In August 1993, Vikernes fatally stabbed Mayhem guitarist Euronymous during an altercation at the latter's apartment, and was arrested shortly after. In May 1994, Vikernes was convicted of first-degree murder, church arson and possession of explosives. Vikernes has always maintained the killing was self-defense, and unsuccessfully argued for the charge to be reduced to voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison, the maximum penalty under Norwegian law. During his incarceration, Vikernes launched the neo-Nazi organisation Norwegian Heathen Front,[8] had two books published, and released two ambient albums as Burzum.[9] In 2009, he was released on parole,[10][11] after which he moved to France with his wife and children, where he has continued to write and make music. He was also an active video blogger on his YouTube channel ThuleanPerspective, before the channel was banned by the platform.[12]

Described by Sam Dunn as "the most notorious metal musician of all time",[13] Vikernes remains controversial for his crimes as well as his political and religious views. He promoted views which combined Odinism and Esoteric Nazism, and openly embraced Nazism during the mid-to-late 1990s. He has since disavowed the ideology and its associated movements, although critics continue to label his views as far-right.[14] Vikernes calls his beliefs "Odalism" and defends a "pre-industrial European pagan society" that opposes the Abrahamic religions and systems such as capitalism, communism, materialism, and socialism.[15]

  1. ^ Huey, Steve. "Burzum Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Burzum-Sänger Varg Vikernes unter Terrorverdacht festgenommen". Rolling Stone (in German). 17 July 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  3. ^ Patterson, Dayel (20 July 2016). "20 of the best black metal albums from the 1990s". Team Rock.
  4. ^ Hopper, Jessica (29 August 2013). "The Complicated Appeal Of Black Metal". BuzzFeed.
  5. ^ Sigel, Zack (7 August 2015). "Are Music Streaming Services Doing More Harm Than Good to the Metal Community?". VH1. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference TV2-nyhetene was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Varg Vikernes – A Burzum Story: Part I – The Origin And Meaning". Burzum.org. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference GC205 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Goodrick-Clarke 2003, p. 204
  10. ^ "Varg Vikernes ute på prøve". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norway. NTB. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  11. ^ "Ute av fengsel". Dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). 22 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  12. ^ "Varg Vikernes – YouTube Has Deleted Vikernes' Channel". Metal Storm. 6 June 2019.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference notorious was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Michaels, Sean (11 March 2009). "Norway's most notorious musician to be released from prison". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference IBT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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