Varg Vikernes

Varg Vikernes
Vikernes during his last year in prison (2009)
Background information
Birth name	Kristian Larssøn Vikernes
Also known as	Greven; The Count; Count Grishnackh; Greifi Grishnackh; Louis Cachet
Born	(1973-02-11) 11 February 1973 (age 43) Bergen, Norway
Genres	Black metal, ambient
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, bass, drums, synthesizer, keyboards, vocals
Years active	1988–present
Associated acts	Burzum, Mayhem, Old Funeral, Darkthrone
Website	www.burzum.org thuleanperspective.com thewaysofyore.wordpress.com
Varg Vikernes Spouse(s) Marie Cachet (m. 2007) Children 6

Varg Vikernes (Norwegian: [ˈʋɑrɡ ˈʋiːkəɳeːs]; born Kristian Larssøn Vikernes, 11 February 1973), legally known as Louis Cachet, is a Norwegian musician and writer who founded the one-man music project Burzum in 1991. Three years later, he was convicted of murder and arson, and subsequently served almost 15 years in prison.

A native of Bergen, Vikernes spent part of his childhood in Iraq. He began playing guitar at the age of 14, and became part of the early Norwegian black metal scene in 1991 when he founded Burzum. In 1992, he was allegedly involved in burning down at least three Christian churches in Norway, along with other members of the scene. By early 1993, he had recorded four albums as Burzum and another with fellow black metal band Mayhem.

In August 1993, he was arrested and charged with the murder of Mayhem guitarist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth. In May 1994, he was found guilty of murder and the earlier church arsons, and sentenced to 21 years in prison. He maintains that he killed in self-defense and denies responsibility for the church arsons, though he supported them.

During his time in prison, Vikernes became affiliated with the Norwegian Heathen Front, had several writings on Germanic paganism published and recorded and released two electronic albums as Burzum. Having served almost 15 years of his sentence, Vikernes was released on parole in early 2009. He then settled with his wife and children in France, where he continued releasing music and writing. Through his writings he promotes a neo-völkisch ideology which he calls "Ôðalism", based on Blood and Soil nationalism and the re-adoption of native European values and belief systems, such as elements of traditional paganism. He also advocates social conservatism and survivalism.