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| {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}} | |||
| {{Infobox person | |||
| | name = Varg Vikernes | |||
| | image = Varg Vikernes-2.jpg | |||
| | image_upright = 1.1 | |||
| | caption = Vikernes during his last year in prison, 2009 | |||
| | alt = Bearded man in his mid-thirties wearing a camouflage hat | |||
| | birth_name = Kristian Vikernes | |||
| | alias = Greven<br> The Count <br>Count Grishnackh <br>Greifi Grishnackh <br>Louis Cachet | |||
| | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1973|2|11}} | |||
| | birth_place = ], Norway | |||
| | Height = ~6'0 (1.82 m) | |||
| | death_date = | |||
| | death_place = | |||
| | residence = ], France | |||
| | occupation = {{hlist|Musician|writer}} | |||
| | years_active = {{circa|1988}}–present | |||
| | website = {{URL|thuleanperspective.com}}<br>{{URL|burzum.org}} | |||
| | spouse = {{marriage|Marie Cachet|2007}} | |||
| | children = 7 | |||
| | criminal_charge = {{hlist|Murder, arson, theft (1993)|Inciting racial hatred (2014)}} | |||
| | criminal_penalty = {{hlist|21 years in prison (1993)|six months of probation and an €8,000 fine (2014)}} | |||
| | known_for = {{hlist|]|]|]}} | |||
| | module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes | |||
| | background = solo_singer | |||
| | instrument = {{hlist|Guitar|bass|drums|synthesizer|vocals}} | |||
| | genre = {{hlist|]|]}} | |||
| | associated_acts = {{hlist|]|]|]|Kalashnikov|Satanel|Uruk-Hai}} | |||
| | label = {{hlist|Byelobog<!--- Do NOT link this. It is about a record label, NOT what the Belobog article is about. --->|]|]|Cymophane|Thrash|Hearse}} | |||
| }} | |||
| | module2 = {{Infobox writer|embed=yes | |||
| | subjects = {{hlist|]|]s}} | |||
| | period = 1997–present | |||
| }} | |||
| | module3 = {{Infobox YouTube personality|embed=yes | |||
| | name = Varg Vikernes | |||
| | channel_name = ThuleanPerspective | |||
| | years_active = 2012–present | |||
| | subscribers = 199k+ | |||
| | views = 37,749,752 | |||
| | stats_update = 30 August 2018 | |||
| }} | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Louis Cachet'''<ref name=aftenposten2013>{{cite web|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/Vikernes-skylder-fortsatt-millioner-for-nedbrente-kirker-i-Norge--7256883.html#.UeVRoBb1s08|title=Vikernes skylder fortsatt millioner for nedbrente kirker i Norge|language=Norwegian|publisher=]|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> (born '''Kristian Vikernes''', 11 February 1973), more popularly known as '''Varg Vikernes''' ({{IPA-no|ˈvɑrɡ ˈviːkəɳeːs|lang}}), is a ] musician, writer, and blogger. In 1991, he founded the one-man music project ], which is considered one of the most influential ] acts.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Patterson|first1=Dayel|title=20 of the best black metal albums from the 1990s|date=20 July 2016|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-07-20/20-of-the-best-black-metal-albums-from-the-1990s|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hopper|first1=Jessica|title=The Complicated Appeal Of Black Metal|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicahopper/the-complicated-appeal-of-black-metal|website=]|date=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Sigel|first1=Zack|title=Are Music Streaming Services Doing More Harm Than Good To The Metal Community?|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/47107/heavy-metal-music-streaming-pros-cons/|website=VH1.com|date=7 August 2015}}</ref> Three years later, he was convicted of murder and arson, and subsequently served 14 years in prison. | |||
| A native of ], Vikernes spent part of his childhood in ]. Interested in music from a young age, he began playing guitar at the age of 14 and formed his first band, Kalashnikov, within the next two years.<ref name="burzum origin">{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_burzum_story01.shtml |title=Varg Vikernes – A Burzum Story: Part I – The Origin And Meaning |publisher=Burzum.org |date= |accessdate=29 July 2014}}</ref> He soon became part of the ]. In 1992, he and other members of the scene were accused of burning down at least three Christian churches in Norway. By early 1993, he had recorded four albums as Burzum and another with fellow black metal band ]. | |||
| In August 1993, Vikernes was arrested and charged with the murder of Mayhem guitarist ]. In May 1994, he was found guilty of murder and the earlier church arsons, and sentenced to 21 years in prison. Vikernes maintains that he killed Euronymous in self-defense and denies responsibility for the church arsons, though he supported them. During his time in prison, Vikernes became affiliated with the ], had several writings on ] published and recorded and released two ] albums as Burzum.<ref name="GC204">Goodrick-Clarke 2003: 204</ref> Having served 14 years of his sentence, Vikernes was released on parole in early 2009.<ref>{{Cite news| title= Varg Vikernes ute på prøve | url= http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=557287 | work= ] | location= Oslo, Norway | agency= ] | date= 10 March 2009 | accessdate= 10 March 2009 | language= Norwegian | archiveurl= https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vg.no%2Fnyheter%2Finnenriks%2Fartikkel.php%3Fartid%3D557287&date=2009-03-10 | archivedate= 10 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| title= Ute av fengsel | url= http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/05/22/nyheter/black_metal/varg_vikernes/6354526/ | work= Dagbladet.no | date= 22 May 2009 | accessdate= 23 May 2009 | language= Norwegian}}</ref> He changed his legal name to Louis Cachet to avoid difficulties with the public in Norway. He still goes by Varg Vikernes in daily life.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vikernes|first1=Varg|title=Some Facts about Varg Vikernes & his Case|url=https://thuleanperspective.com/2014/06/02/some-facts-about-varg-vikernes-his-case/|website=Thulean Perspective|date=6 February 2014}}</ref> | |||
| After his release from prison, Vikernes settled with his wife and children in France, where he continued releasing music and writing. He recorded six more albums before announcing the end of the Burzum project in 2018. He began his blog and YouTube channel, titled Thulean Perspective, in 2013. Through his self-published writings and videos, he promotes an ideology he calls "Odalism" based on a ]–derived form of nationalism and the re-adoption of native European values and belief systems, such as elements of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thuleanperspective.com/2013/07/31/why-odalism/|title=Why Ôðalism?|first=Varg|last=Vikernes|website=Thulean Perspective|date=31 July 2013|quote=Ôðalism is in the strictest sense an ideology based on blood (of the native population) and soil (the homeland of the native population); protecting, promoting and if necessary reviving the customs, traditions, world view, values and religion that naturally came from each particular population in their homeland.|accessdate=19 December 2016}}</ref> He also advocates environmentalism, ], and ].<ref>{{cite interview|title=Burzum & Varg Vikernes|url=http://metalkings.com/reviews/Burzum-Varg-Vikernes/Burzum-Varg-Vikernes-eng-2011.htm|accessdate=19 December 2015|agency=MetalKings.com|date=March 2011}}</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOznP1RDGMo</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Lord of Lies: Part XIII - On how Negroes became Fair-Skinned, Blue-Eyed and Blond in Europe|agency=Burzum.org|date=29 December 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ==Biography== | |||
| Vikernes does not have a published biography (authorised or unauthorised), but information can be gathered from interviews he has given and from statements he has made on burzum.org, at thuleanperspective.com, and on his YouTube channel. ], one of the authors of '']''—where much of the information about Vikernes is found, has been described as "quite active in the propaganda support network for Vikernes".<ref name="Coogan">Coogan 1999</ref> | |||
| ===Background and childhood=== | |||
| In the interviews printed in ''Lords of Chaos'', Vikernes discusses his background and childhood. ''Lords of Chaos'' also includes an interview with his mother, Helene Bore (the book and a newspaper depicted there refer to her with the given name Lene,<ref>Michael Moynihan, Didrik Søderlind: ''Lords of Chaos'', First Edition, Feral House 1998, p. 142.</ref><ref>Michael Moynihan, Didrik Søderlind: ''Lords of Chaos'', First Edition, Feral House 1998, p. 316.</ref> whereas Vikernes' own website uses the name Helene<ref>, accessed on 28 March 2013.</ref>). In a 2004 interview, Vikernes mentions his mother "is working in a large oil company".<ref name="BZINT">http://www.burzum.org: </ref> He also states that his father is an "electronics engineer,"<ref name="BZINT"/> whereas his brother, who (according to the ''Lords of Chaos'' interview) is one and a half years older,<ref name=LoC148/> is a "graduate civil engineer".<ref name="BZINT"/> | |||
| In the ''Lords of Chaos'' interview, Vikernes recalls that when he was 6 years old, the family moved for about a year to ], Iraq, because Vikernes' "father was working for ]" developing a computer program.<ref name=LoC147>LoC 1998: 147</ref> Since there were no places available in the English school in Baghdad, the young Vikernes went to an Iraqi elementary school during this time. According to his interview, Vikernes here became "aware of racial matters".<ref name=LoC148>LoC 1998: 148</ref> ] was not uncommon in the school, and on one occasion, Vikernes had a "quarrel" with a teacher and called him "a monkey". But as Vikernes perceived it the teachers "didn't dare to hit me because I was white".<ref name=LoC148 /> Vikernes' mother also recalls how they "spent a year in Iraq" and that "the other children in his class would get slapped by their teachers; he would not".<ref name=LoC142>LoC 1998: 142</ref> She mentions that this created problems, but generally she "has no good explanation" of how Varg developed his views.<ref name=LoC144>LoC 1998: 144</ref> | |||
| When asked about his father, Vikernes states that he "had a ] flag at home."<ref name=LoC147 /> However, Vikernes feels that his father was a hypocrite because he was worried about Vikernes "being a Nazi", whereas he too was "pissed about all the colored people he saw in town".<ref name=LoC147 /> About his mother, Vikernes states that she was "very race conscious", in the sense that she was afraid that Vikernes "was going to come home with a black girl!"<ref name=LoC146>LoC 1998: 146</ref> At the time of the 1995 ''Lords of Chaos'' interview, Vikernes still had a positive relationship with his mother but "very little contact" with his father.<ref name=LoC147 /> He also stated that his parents are divorced; Vikernes' father is said to have "left about 10 years ago", which would have been 1985, when Vikernes was 11 or 12.<ref name=LoC147 /> | |||
| There are claims that Vikernes was involved with a skinhead scene in Bergen before he became a part of the black metal scene: ] alleges ] as the "musical vehicle" of the "ex-skinhead" Vikernes,<ref name="GC204"/> while ] claims that "Vikernes first became involved with the extreme right as a National Socialist skinhead while he was an adolescent."<ref name="Kapl-319">Kaplan 2000: 319.</ref> When asked in the ''Lords of Chaos'' interview whether he hung out with skinheads in Bergen, Vikernes boldly replied: "There were no skinheads in Bergen."<ref name="LoC149"/> He mentions, though, that he had short hair at that time, admired the Germans, and hated the British and Americans.<ref name="LoC149"/> | |||
| A fan of classical music as a child, ] in particular, Vikernes started listening to ] at 12, citing ] as his biggest inspiration.<ref name = "Heart of Darkness">{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/2010_interview_guitar_world.shtml |title=Burzum: Heart of Darkness "Guitar World" Magazine (April 2010) by Brad Angle |publisher=Burzum.org |accessdate=18 July 2014}}</ref> Later he discovered other metal bands whose sound would be influential on his own band, such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name = "Heart of Darkness"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metalasfuck.net/zine/articles/2012/%E2%80%9Cyou-can-add-rotting-christ-list%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-burzum%E2%80%99s-varg-vikernes-shares-his-metal-faves-meta |title="You can add Rotting Christ to the list" – Burzum’s Varg Vikernes shares his metal faves with Metal as Fuck!|publisher=metalasfuck.net |accessdate=19 July 2014}}</ref> Although ] are widely considered the primary influence on black metal, Vikernes has always denied to be influenced by them, as well as defining the band as "a joke". He once wore a T-shirt of Venom's '']'' to promote the genre but stated he later regretted doing that.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisecreep.com/burzum-varg-vikernes-does-not-care-about-black-metal/ |title=Varg Vikernes Of Burzum Talks New Album "Fallen" |publisher=Noisecreep.com|accessdate=18 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
| From an early age, Vikernes was also fascinated with the fictional realm of ] created by ]. His stage name, ], is taken from that of an orc in '']'', while the band name Burzum, meaning "darkness," was taken from the ] inscribed on the ] in '']''. The inscription read "Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh ''burzum''-ishi krimpatul," or in English, "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the ''darkness'' bind them." Additionally, before joining the Bergen ] band ], he was in a band called ], also a reference from Tolkien's text.<ref name="burzum origin"/> | |||
| ===Early musical career=== | |||
| {{Further information|Burzum}} | |||
| Vikernes started playing guitar at the age of 14.<ref name="LoC149">LoC 1998: 149</ref> When he was 17, Vikernes came into contact with members of Old Funeral. He played guitar with them during 1990–1991 and performed on their ''Devoured Carcass'' EP before he began his solo musical project, ], and quickly became involved with the ]. During 1992–1993, he recorded four albums as Burzum.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/a_brief_history_of_the_early_norwegian_black_metal_scene_part_1-65713|title=A Brief History Of The Early Norwegian Black Metal Scene. Part 1|access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> | |||
| Vikernes has stated that for the recording of these early albums he used an old Westone guitar, which he had bought in 1987 from an acquaintance.<ref name = "burzummusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_burzum_story06.shtml |title=A Burzum Story: Part VI – The Music |publisher=Burzum.org |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> He used the cheapest bass guitar there was in his local shop and | |||
| borrowed drum kit from Old Funeral, the successor band ], and "another musician living nearby".<ref name = "burzummusic"/> On '']'', he also borrowed ]'s drum kit, the same one Hellhammer used to record '']'' by ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Teufel |url=http://www.teufelstomb.com/interviews/mayhem-1999/ |title=Interview with Hellhammer |publisher=Teufels Tomb |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> He used a Peavey amplifier, but for the recording of '']'', he used the amplifier on his brother's stereo and some old fuzz pedals.<ref name = "burzummusic"/> For vocals, he would use whatever microphone the sound tech handed him, but during the recording of ''Filosofem'', he intentionally used the worst mic they had, a headset mic.<ref name = "burzummusic"/> On the track "Dungeons of Darkness", he used the large gong at ] for background noise (] assisted him by beating his fists on it).<ref name = "burzummusic"/> | |||
| In 1992, Vikernes joined the black metal band ], a year after band member ] committed suicide on 8 April 1991.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| ===Arson of churches=== | |||
| On 6 June 1992, the ], dating from the 12th century and considered architecturally significant, was burned to the ground by arson. By January 1993, arson attacks had occurred on at least seven other major ]es, including one on Christmas Eve of 1992.<ref name="GC204"/> Vikernes was found guilty of several of these cases: the arson and attempted arson of ] and ], respectively, in ], the arson of ] in ], and the arson of ] in Oslo. He was also charged with the arson of Fantoft Stave Church, although the jurors found him not guilty. The judges called this an error but did not overthrow the whole case.<ref name=burzumstory2>{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_burzum_story02.shtml |title=Varg Vikernes – A Burzum Story: Part II – Euronymous |publisher=Burzum.org |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> | |||
| At the time, claims were made by media outlets that Vikernes was associated with ].<ref>See 1995 ] article "Satanism in Norway", English translation Michael Moynihan, ''Lords of Chaos'', pp. 344–45.</ref> However, in an interview with Michael Moynihan, Vikernes made a statement about the church burnings that hints at a ] rather than a Satanist motivation: | |||
| {{quote|I am not going to say that I burnt any churches. But let me put it this way: There was one person who started it. I was not found guilty of burning the Fantoft stave church, but anyway, that was what triggered the whole thing. That was the 6th of June and everyone linked it to Satanism ... What everyone overlooked was that on the 6th June, 793, in ] in ] was the site of the first known ] raid in history, with Vikings from ], which is my county ... They desecrated our graves, our burial mounds, so it's revenge.<ref>Michael Moynihan, ''Lords of Chaos'', p. 88; quoted in: M. Gardell, ''Gods of the Blood'', p.306;</ref>}} | |||
| Echoing this sentiment, he writes in ''Vargsmål'': "For each devastated graveyard, one heathen grave is avenged, for each ten churches burnt to ashes, one ] is avenged, for each ten priests or ] assassinated, one heathen is avenged."<ref>quoted after M. Gardell, ''Gods of the Blood'', pp. 306, 307. Translation by M. Gardell</ref> | |||
| When asked whether the church burnings were linked to ] or ] he replied: "The point is that all these churches are linked to one person ... who was not ] obviously. All the church burnings, with the exception of Stavanger, because that was another group—who, by the way, have also turned into nationalistic pagans."<ref>''Lords of Chaos'', p. 89</ref> | |||
| ====''Bergens Tidende'' article==== | |||
| In January 1993, an article in one of Norway's biggest newspapers, '']'', brought the black metal scene into the media spotlight.<ref name=LoC95-97>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), pp. 95–97.</ref> Two friends of Vikernes interviewed him and brought the interview to the newspaper, hoping they would print it.<ref name=LoC95-97/> In the anonymous interview, "Count Grishnackh" (Vikernes) claimed to have burnt the churches and killed a man in Lillehammer.<ref name=LoC95-97/> ''BT'' journalist Finn Bjørn Tønder set up a meeting with Count Grishnackh with help from the friends. The journalists were summoned to an apartment and reportedly warned that they would be shot if the police were called.<ref name=LoC95-97/> There, Vikernes and his companions told the journalists that they had burnt the churches, or knew who had done it, and said that the attacks would continue. They claimed to be devil worshippers and said: "Our intention is to spread fear and devilry that is why we are telling this to ''Bergens Tidende''." They gave the journalists details about the arsons that hadn't been released to the press, so ''BT'' spoke with the police before publishing it, who confirmed these details.<ref name=LoC95-97/> | |||
| The article was published on 20 January as the front page of the ''BT''. It was headlined "We Lit the Fires" and included a photo of Vikernes, his face mostly hidden, holding two large knives. However, by the time the article was printed, Vikernes had already been arrested. The police allegedly found him by going to an address printed on a Burzum flyer,<ref name=LoC95-97/> although Vikernes believes that Tønder "snitched" on him.<ref name=varg-satanrides>. Burzum.org</ref> | |||
| According to Vikernes, the anonymous interview was planned by himself and Euronymous. The goal, he says, was to scare people, promote black metal, and get more customers for Helvete.<ref name="Count Regrets Nothing">{{cite web|accessdate=29 November 2017|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/2009_interview_dagbladet.shtml|title="Count" Regrets Nothing (04.07.2009), by Rune Midtskogen|location=Telemark, Norway|website=www.burzum.org|publisher='']''|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120729085215/http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/2009_interview_dagbladet.shtml|archivedate=29 July 2012}}</ref> At the time, Burzum was about to release the '']'' mini-album.<ref name=LoC95-97/> Vikernes said of the interview: "I exaggerated a lot and when the journalist left we had a good laugh because he didn't seem to understand that I was pulling his leg".<ref name=burzumstory2/> He added that the interview revealed nothing that could prove his involvement in any crime.<ref name=LoC95-97/> Vikernes claims that, after he was arrested, "the journalist edited the interview and published an insane version of it the following day, without even letting me read through it."<ref name=varg-satanrides/> Some of the other scene members were also arrested and questioned, but all were released for lack of evidence.<ref name=LoC95-97/> ] of ] said that the interview had "grave consequences" for the rest of the scene and that they did not know he was going to talk to the press, as "he had said nothing". He added that they became "bloody angry" and he, Tunsberg, was "pissed off".<ref>Torstein Grude: '']'', 1998.</ref> | |||
| Norwegian magazine ''Rock Furore'' published an interview with Vikernes in February 1993. In it, he said of the prison system: "It's much too nice here. It's not hell at all. In this country prisoners get a bed, toilet and shower. It's completely ridiculous. I asked the police to throw me in a real dungeon, and also encouraged them to use violence".<ref>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 42.</ref> He was released in March for lack of evidence.<ref name=LoC95-97/> | |||
| ===Murder of Øystein Aarseth=== | |||
| In early 1993, animosity arose between Euronymous and Vikernes, and between Euronymous and the Norwegian black metal scene.<ref name=LoC117>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 117.</ref> After the ''Bergens Tidende'' episode, Euronymous decided to shut Helvete as it began to draw the attention of the police and media.<ref name=LoC120>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 120.</ref> | |||
| On the night of 10 August 1993, Vikernes and Snorre "Blackthorn" Ruch drove from Bergen to Euronymous' apartment at Tøyengata (English: Tøyen Street) in Oslo.<ref name=purefucking>{{cite video |people=Stefan Rydehed (director) |year=2008 |title=Pure Fucking Mayhem |url= |medium=motion picture |language= |trans_title= |publisher=Index Verlag}}</ref> Upon their arrival a confrontation began and Vikernes fatally stabbed Euronymous. His body was found on the stairs outside the apartment with 23 cut wounds – two to the head, five to the neck, and sixteen to the back.<ref>Steinke, Darcey. "Satan's Cheerleaders". '']''. February 1996.</ref> At first, many blamed Swedish black metalers for the murder.<ref name=LoC117/> | |||
| It has been speculated{{by whom|date=February 2017}} that the murder was the result of a power struggle, a financial dispute over Burzum records, or an attempt at "outdoing" a recent stabbing in Lillehammer committed by Emperor drummer Faust.<ref name=Yahoo></ref> Vikernes denies all of these rumours, stating that he killed Euronymous in self-defense: He says that Euronymous had plotted to stun him with an ], tie him up and ] him to death while ]. Vikernes explains: "If he was talking about it to everybody and anybody, I wouldn't have taken it seriously. But he just told a select group of friends, and one of them told me."<ref name=untilthelight>{{cite video |people=Aaron Aites (director, producer), Audrey Ewell (director, producer) |year=2009 |title=] |url= |medium=motion picture |language= |trans_title= |publisher=Variance Films}}</ref> He said Euronymous planned to use a meeting about an unsigned contract to ambush him.<ref name=burzumstory2/><ref name=untilthelight/> Blackthorn stood outside smoking while Vikernes climbed the stairs to Euronymous' apartment on the fourth floor.<ref name=burzumstory2/> Vikernes said he met Euronymous at the door and handed him the contract, but when he stepped forward and confronted Euronymous, Euronymous "panicked" and kicked him in the chest.<ref name=burzumstory2/> The two got into a struggle, and Vikernes stabbed Euronymous to death. Vikernes contends that most of Euronymous' cut wounds were caused by broken glass he had fallen on during the struggle.<ref name=burzumstory2/> After the slaying, Vikernes and Blackthorn drove back to Bergen. On the way, they stopped at a lake where Vikernes disposed of his bloodstained clothes.<ref name=burzumstory2/> The self-defense story is doubted by ] drummer ].<ref>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 123.</ref> | |||
| According to Vikernes, Blackthorn only came along to show Euronymous some new guitar riffs and was "in the wrong place at the wrong time".<ref name=burzumstory2/> Blackthorn claims that in the summer of 1993, he was almost ] to a ] but fled to Bergen and stayed with Vikernes. He said Vikernes planned to murder Euronymous and pressured him into coming along. Blackthorn said of the murder, "I was neither for nor against it. I didn't give a shit about Øystein".<ref>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 130.</ref> Vikernes called Blackthorn's claims a "defense to make sure I couldn't blame him ".<ref name=burzumstory2/> | |||
| ], which Vikernes allegedly planned to blow up in 1993.]] | |||
| Vikernes was arrested on 19 August 1993 in Bergen.<ref name=LoC120/> The police found 150 kg of explosives and 3,000 rounds of ammunition in his home.<ref name="Dagbladet.no">{{cite web |author=Midtskogen, Rune |title="Greven" angrer ingenting |date=4 July 2009 |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/07/04/magasinet/innenriks/kriminalomsorg/kirkebrann/drapsdom/7051663/ |accessdate=25 August 2009 |language=Norwegian |trans-title="The Count" regrets nothing}}</ref> According to Jeffrey Kaplan in his book '']'', Vikernes "intended to blow up ], the radical leftist and anarchist enclave in Oslo",<ref name="Kapl-319"/> a plan which "was reportedly on the verge of execution."<ref name="Kapl-319"/> In an article originally published in 1999, ] also mentioned Vikernes' alleged intent to "destroy an Oslo-based punk anti-fascist squat called Blitz House,"<ref name="Coogan">Coogan 1999</ref> and stated "Vikernes may have felt that he had no choice but to kill Euronymous before bombing Blitz House because 'the Communist' would almost certainly have opposed such an act."<ref name="Coogan"/> Vikernes denied these claims in a 2009 interview, stating "I was getting in order to defend Norway if we were attacked any time. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union could have decided to attack us. We have no reason to trust neither the government, the royal family or the military because of what happened last time we were attacked. We are left to ourselves."<ref name="Dagbladet.no"/> | |||
| ====Trial==== | |||
| Vikernes' trial began on 2 May 1994; he was represented by the lawyer ].<ref>Sortland, Kjersti, & Bjørn Reese. 1997. "Greven" opprørt. ''VG'' (13 April): 9.</ref> Many other members of the scene, including Blackthorn and Faust, were put on trial around the same time. Some of them confessed to their crimes and implicated others. According to ''Lords of Chaos'', "Vikernes is disgusted by the fact that, while he held fast to a code of silence, others confessed."<ref name=LoC141>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 141.</ref> | |||
| During the trial the media made Vikernes "the nation's first real bogeyman in fifty years".<ref>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 145.</ref> At the trial it was claimed that he, Blackthorn, and another friend had planned the murder. The court alleged that this third person stayed at the apartment in Bergen as an alibi; to make it look like they never left Bergen, he was to rent films, play them in the apartment, and withdraw money from Vikernes' credit card.<ref>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 129.</ref> | |||
| On 16 May 1994, Vikernes was sentenced to 21 years in prison (Norway's maximum penalty) for the murder of Euronymous, the arson of three churches, the attempted arson of a fourth church, and for the theft and storage of 150 kg of explosives.<ref name="Count Regrets Nothing"/> Though Vikernes only confessed to the theft and storage of the explosives, two churches were set on fire the day he was sentenced, "presumably as a statement of symbolic support".<ref name=LoC141/> Blackthorn, who hadn't taken part in the murder as he had gone down the condominium's stairs to smoke, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for being an accomplice.<ref name=LoC141/> | |||
| May 1994 also saw the release of Mayhem's album '']'', which has Euronymous on electric guitar and Vikernes on bass guitar.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Campion |coauthors= |title=In the Face of Death |date=20 February 2005 |publisher=] |url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,11710,1419364,00.html |work=] |pages= | accessdate=6 October 2007}}</ref> Before the release, Euronymous' family had asked Mayhem's drummer, Hellhammer, to remove the bass tracks recorded by Vikernes. Hellhammer said "I thought it was appropriate that the murderer and victim were on the same record. I put word out that I was re-recording the bass parts, but I never did."<ref name=guardian/> | |||
| ===Imprisonment=== | |||
| Vikernes served his sentence at the prisons in Bergen, ], ], ], and ]. | |||
| ] | |||
| In late 1994, Vikernes wrote a Norwegian-language book called ''Vargsmål'' ("Varg's Speech"<ref name="VargsmålComment"/>). Vikernes has said he wrote ''Vargsmål'' to defend himself against "all the media lies", and that the book is marked by his isolation and anger at the time. According to ''Lords of Chaos'', ''Vargsmål'' became available on the internet for some time in 1996 but not in a printed form.<ref>''Lords of Chaos'' (1998):159</ref> In 1997, a Norwegian publisher released a paperback edition of the book; its publication was financed by Vikernes' mother, Helene Bore.<ref name = "hist">{{cite book |last=Christe |first=Ian |title=Sound of the Beast: the Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers Inc. |year=2003 |location=New York City |page=279 |url= |id= |isbn=}}</ref> | |||
| However, Vikernes stated that "the prison authorities confiscated the manuscript, and for several years I wasn't allowed to even proof-read it. It was an unfinished manuscript, consisting of many separate articles, and ideally I would have been able to make some changes before it was published, but I wasn't. Eventually I gave up and just published it as it was – with all the errors and not-so-balanced articles."<ref name=vargbooks>Vikernes, Varg. . Burzum.org. 15 December 2004. Retrieved 4 April 2013.</ref> | |||
| On 8 April 1997, Norwegian police arrested five ] in ]. According to police, the young men were part of a self-styled "]" and were plotting attacks on political and religious figures in Norway. They also had plans to break Vikernes out of prison.<ref name=LOC362>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 362</ref> The group "had all the trappings of a paramilitary unit", including guns, explosives, bulletproof vests, steel helmets and balaclavas.<ref name=LOC362/> One of its members, Tom Eiternes, had befriended Vikernes in prison before escaping while on leave.<ref name=LOC362/> Vikernes' mother, Lene Bore, was arrested for supplying the group with 100,000 ]. She confessed, but claimed she did not know they were "right-wing extremists" and said her son was being attacked by fellow inmates. In late 1996, his jaw had reportedly been broken in a fight with another inmate. However, the prison director said her claims were unfounded, and police suspected that the money came from Vikernes himself.<ref name=LOC362/> ''Lords of Chaos'' says that Vikernes adopted a "]" look and wore a belt buckle with SS insignia around this time.<ref name=LOC362/> Despite her confession, Bore was not convicted,<ref name=LOC362/> and in 1998 the case against the "Einsatzgruppe" was dropped.<ref>''Lords of Chaos'' (2003), p. 369</ref> | |||
| During his time in prison, Vikernes recorded two albums made up wholly of ] and ] music. The first, '']'', was recorded in 1994–1995 and released in October 1997. The second, '']'', was recorded in 1998 and released in April 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intro.de/kuenstler/interviews/23043719/norwegischer-black-metal-als-die-kirchen-brannten |title=Norwegischer Black Metal |language=de |publisher=Intro.de |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> Vikernes was denied access to an electric guitar, bass guitar or drums, and instead used a synthesizer. In 2000, Vikernes ended his musical project. He believed that his philosophy was constantly misinterpreted by an ignorant fan base that was too closely related to black metal and Satanism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/lords_of_chaos_review.shtml |title=Varg Vikernes – A review of M. Moynihan & D. Søderlind's "Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of The Satanic Metal Underground" (new edition) |publisher=Burzum.org |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> Later, through his website, he indicated that he hoped to continue Burzum after his release from prison, stating: "I will publish a few books, possibly using a pseudonym in order to stay anonymous, and perhaps a Burzum album or two, but that's it".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_burzum_story09.shtml |title=A Burzum Story: Part IX – The Tomorrow |publisher=Burzum.org |date=24 February 2006 |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> | |||
| Between 1998 and 2004, Vikernes would write a further five books in prison.<ref name=vargbooks/> In 1998 he wrote a book called ''Germansk Mytologi og Verdensanskuelse'' ("Teutonic Mythology and Worldview"). Apart from ''Vargsmål'', this is the only other book that was published. In 2004, he translated it into English, added new material, and renamed it ''The Mysteries and Mythology of Ancient Scandinavia''. In 1999, he wrote ''EihwaR'', a "philosophical/political/historical novel in form of a dialogue between a student and an oppositional". This too he translated into English and renamed ''The Religion of the Blood''. That year, he also wrote a Norwegian and English translation and interpretation of '']''. In 2000–2001, he wrote ''Teorier'' ("Theories"). It offered some theories on the origin of different customs and beliefs, and contained several short stories about the prehistoric era. However, he decided to scrap this book. In 2003–2004 he wrote a "gothic-fantasy novel" called ''The Cult of Hel''.<ref name=vargbooks/> By late 2003, he had begun writing articles for Burzum.org, which became the official Burzum website.<ref>. Burzum.org. Retrieved 4 April 2013.</ref> | |||
| In August 2003, Vikernes was transferred from a maximum-security prison in Bergen to the low-security prison in Tønsberg.<ref name=blabberoct28>. ]. 28 October 2003. Retrieved 4 April 2013.</ref> On 15 October, the local paper, '']'', published an article that criticised Vikernes.<ref name=blabberoct27>. ]. 27 October 2003. Retrieved 4 April 2013.</ref> On 26 October, Vikernes went on the run after being granted a short leave. He stopped a car in ]. Inside it was a family of three, who said that he hijacked the car at gunpoint. About 19 hours later, police stopped the car in ] and arrested him.<ref name=blabberoct27/> The car contained knives, a gas mask, camouflage clothing, a portable ], maps, a compass, a laptop and a mobile phone.<ref name=blabberoct28/> Police also found a handgun and an ] automatic rifle in a cabin in ], where Vikernes had hidden during his escape.<ref>. ]. 30 October 2003. Retrieved 4 April 2013.</ref> They concluded that his escape "was well planned and involved assistance from several people on the outside".<ref name=blabberoct28/> Before the escape, Vikernes gave his mother a letter. In it, he wrote that he had received death threats and another inmate had tried to strangle him shortly after the newspaper article was published.<ref name=blabberoct27/> For his actions, thirteen months were added to Vikernes' sentence and he was moved to a prison in Ringerike. In July 2004, he was moved to a maximum-security prison in Trondheim. The last three years of his sentence were spent in ]. | |||
| ] | |||
| When Vikernes was convicted, it was possible to be released on parole after serving 12 years of a 21-year sentence, but in 2002, before he became eligible, the ] had extended this to 14 years. In June 2006, after serving 12 years, Vikernes was denied parole by the Department of Criminal Justice for this reason.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> His lawyer, ], has complained that the policy change is a form of ]. Article 97 of the Norwegian constitution forbids any law being given retroactive force. Vikernes was denied parole again in June 2008, although he was allowed to leave Tromsø Prison for short periods to visit his family. His full sentence would run for another seven years.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Too dangerous for parole">], English edition, 11 June 2008: {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/61BibRB0d?url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2477398.ece |date=24 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/news.shtml |title=Burzum and Varg Vikernes news and updates |publisher=Burzum.org |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> In March 2009, however, his parole was announced. He had then served 15 years of his 21-year sentence.<ref name="TV2-nyhetene">{{Cite news | author= Berg, Morten Michelsen | title= Nå slipper "Greven" ut | url= http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/krim/article2614786.ece | work= ] | language= Norwegian | date= 10 March 2009 | accessdate= 10 March 2009 | archiveurl= https://www.webcitation.org/5fAUhHYIr?url=http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/krim/article2614786.ece | archivedate= 10 March 2009 | deadurl= yes | df= dmy-all }}</ref> On 22 May 2009, he confirmed that he had been released from prison on probation.<ref>. ]. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2013.</ref> | |||
| ===Life after prison=== | |||
| Vikernes continued with Burzum after his release. He released a further three black metal albums: '']'' (2010), '']'' (2011) and '']'' (2012) and a compilation of re-recorded songs ('']''). On 27 April 2013, Vikernes posted a song on his official YouTube channel, titled Back to the Shadows, which Vikernes has stated to be the last ] track to be released by Burzum.<ref>Varg Vikernes: , 30 April 2013, accessed on 27 June 2013.</ref><ref>, 27 April 2013, accessed on 27 June 2013.</ref> In May 2013, he released another ambient album, '']''. | |||
| Vikernes also continued writing, both on his Burzum website and on his personal blog, Thulean Perspective, which was set up in January 2013. The website Ancestral Cult was created by him and his wife. Also in 2013, they released a film called ''ForeBears'', based on ancient Germanic pagan rituals.<ref name="VICE">{{cite web|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/role-playing-camping-trips-and-films-about-bears-inside-the-wild-world-of-varg-vikernes|title=Role Playing, Camping Trips, and Films About Bears: Inside the Wild World of Varg Vikernes|author=Staff writer(s)|website=VICE|date=18 July 2013}}</ref> | |||
| On 16 July 2013, Vikernes and his wife, a French national, were arrested in ], France, on suspicion of planning acts of terrorism after his wife bought four rifles.<ref>{{cite news|author=Julien Dumond|url=http://www.rtl.fr/actualites/info/article/un-mini-breivik-interpelle-dans-le-sud-de-la-france-7763167597|title=Un néo-nazi norvégien interpellé en Corrèze|date=16 July 2013|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=reuters2013>{{cite news|last=John Irish|title=Man linked to Norwegian mass killer Breivik arrested in France|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/16/us-france-norway-breivik-idUSBRE96F0FY20130716|accessdate=16 July 2013|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23327165|title=Neo-Nazi singer Vikernes in French terror arrest|date=16 July 2013|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23327165 |title=BBC News – 'Neo-Nazi' musician Vikernes in French terror arrest |publisher=BBC News |date= |accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> Officials later stated that Vikernes' wife had a legal firearms permit to buy the rifles.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> The two were later released without charge after police failed to identify any terrorist plans or targets.<ref name=bbc18july>{{cite news|title=Neo-Nazi musician Vikernes freed after arrest in France|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23362718|accessdate=18 July 2013|agency=BBC|date=18 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.11140046 |title=Varg Vikernes er løslatt – Nyheter, tv og radio fra hele verden |publisher=NRK.no |date= |accessdate=29 July 2014}}</ref> Vikernes was instead charged by French authorities with ] against Jews and Muslims.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tiltalen klar mot Varg Vikernes |first= | |||
| Henning |last=Lillegård |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2013/08/28/nyheter/varg_vikernes/innenriks/28951783/ |newspaper=] |date=28 August 2013 |accessdate=9 October 2013 |language=Norwegian}}</ref> On 8 July 2014, Vikernes was convicted of inciting racial hatred and sentenced to six months of probation and a fine of {{€|8,000}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Doksheim |first=Therese |date=8 July 2014 |title=Varg Vikernes dømt til seks måneder betinget fengsel |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2014/07/08/nyheter/varg_vikernes/utenriks/frankrike/34250337/ |newspaper=Dagbladet |location= |publisher= |accessdate=8 July 2014 |language=Norwegian }}</ref> | |||
| In 2015, Vikernes released his own tabletop ] named "MYFAROG" (Mythical Fantasy Role-Playing Game), which is based upon "European values, geography, (pre-)history, mythology, traditions and morals" and offers the player the "opportunity to play a game in accordance with your own European nature."<ref name="VICE"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://noisey.vice.com/de/article/ich-habe-alle-videos-von-varg-vikernes-burzum-geschaut-666|title=Ich habe neun Stunden lang den YouTube-Kanal von Burzum geschaut|first=Marcel|last=Azeroth|website=VICE|date=9 December 2015|language=German}}</ref> | |||
| In June 2018, Vikernes made comments that " moved on " on his YouTube channel, saying "bye bye" to the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/varg_vikernes_has_ended_burzum_for_good_burzum_is_my_painful_past_in_a_reeking_bog.html|title=Varg Vikernes Has Ended Burzum for Good: 'Burzum Is My Painful Past in a Reeking Bog'|publisher=]|accessdate=4 June 2018|date=3 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDg_ra4IjFY|title=Burzum Debut Album DSP version first print (G. R. E. E. D.)|first=Varg|last=Vikernes|publisher=YouTube|date=1 June 2018|accessdate=1 June 2018}}</ref> | |||
| ==Beliefs and politics== | |||
| ===Odalism=== | |||
| {{quotebox|text=Ôðalism is in the strictest sense an ideology based on blood (of the native population) and soil (the homeland of the native population); protecting, promoting and if necessary reviving the customs, traditions, world view, values and religion that naturally came from each particular population in their homeland. | |||
| |source=–Varg Vikernes, 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thuleanperspective.com/2013/07/31/why-odalism/|title=Why Ôðalism?|first=Varg|last=Vikernes|date=31 July 2013|work=Thulean Perspective}}</ref>|width=25%}} | |||
| In '']'', director ] described Vikernes as "the most notorious metal musician of all time" due to his crimes as well as his political and religious views.<ref>{{cite video |people=Dunn, Sam (Director) |date=5 August 2005 |url= |title=Metal: A Headbanger's Journey |medium=motion picture |location=Canada |publisher=Dunn, Sam}}</ref> In the late '90s, "to avoid confusion" and "to find a term more suitable and accurate", Vikernes coined the name "Odalism" for his beliefs, based on the ] rune. He explains that Odalism encompasses "Paganism, traditional nationalism, racialism and environmentalism". Vikernes contrasts it with "modern 'civilization'" which he equates with "capitalism, ], ], pollution, urbanization, ], ], socialism, ], ''et cetera''". He places importance on the fact that Odalism "is not a term tainted by history". The word comes "From Norse ''óðal'' (], ]ium, ], ], ], inherited goods, ], land property, distinguished family, ], splendid, ] and the nation)".<ref name="Ghost" /> | |||
| {{quote box|text=Christianity was created by some decadent and degenerated Romans as a tool of oppression, and it should be treated accordingly. It is like handcuffs to the mind and spirit | |||
| |source=–Varg Vikernes, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/interviewsframe.php?intid=170 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606001302/http://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/interviewsframe.php?intid=170 |archivedate=2009-06-06 |title=Varg Vikernes |publisher=The Metal Crypt |accessdate=2011-08-20}}</ref> | |||
| |align=right | |||
| |width=25%}} | |||
| In a 2010 interview with ''Vampiria'' magazine, Vikernes was asked about Odinism playing a major role in his life, to which he responded: "I am not religious in any way, but I have a Pagan ideology and Pagan values. I believe in blood, soil and honour; family, homeland and ]; strength, traditions and courage. And I believe in a Europe waking up."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/2010_interview_vampiria.shtml |title=Interview with Varg Vikernes |publisher=Burzum.org |date=18 March 2010 |accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> As of 2011, Vikernes embraces a "modern scientific worldview resting on a foundation made up of the Pagan values and ideals: loyalty, wisdom, courage, love, discipline, honesty, intelligence, beauty, responsibility, health and strength".<ref name="bards8">{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_bards_tale08.shtml |title=Bard's Tale: part VIII: Religion or Reason |publisher=Burzum.org |accessdate=20 August 2011}}</ref> He draws a direct connection between both ] and ], denouncing ] as "mental enslavement" fit only for "inferior races".<ref name="bards8" /> | |||
| In addition to ''Vargsmål'', works by Vikernes on his personal religious world view include ''Irminsûl'' and ''Germansk Mytologi og Verdensanskuelse'' (''Germanic Mythology and Worldview''). In 2011, Vikernes published his first book in English, entitled ''Sorcery and Religion in Ancient Scandinavia'', about the religious practices of Scandinavian peoples, particularly during the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web | last = Vikernes| first = Varg| title = Varg Vikernes "Sorcery And Religion In Ancient Scandinavia"| date = 27 August 2011| url = http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/sorcery_and_religion_in_ancient_scandinavia.shtml | accessdate = 15 June 2012}}</ref> Rejecting most contemporary academic theories, he takes inspiration from ]'s work '']'' in interpreting the myths as representing aspects of yearly rituals related to death, burial and ruling.<ref>{{cite book| last = Vikernes| first = Varg| title = Sorcery and Religion in Ancient Scandinavia| publisher = Abstract Sounds Books Ltd| edition = 1st| date = 5 December 2012| page = 6| isbn = 978-0-9566959-3-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = Pomo| first = Brian| title = "Sorcery and Religion in Ancient Scandinavia" by Varg Vikernes| publisher = Heathen Harvest| date = 17 May 2012| url = http://heathenharvest.org/2012/05/17/sorcery-and-religion-in-ancient-scandinavia-by-varg-vikernes-3/| accessdate = 15 June 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ===Associations with Nazism=== | |||
| In a July 2005 statement on his website, Vikernes wrote that although he "occasionally used the term 'nazism' to describe ideological foundation", he no longer describes himself as such.<ref name="Ghost"/> He had labelled himself as a follower of ] from the period following his 1994 conviction<ref name="Coogan"/> to the late 1990s.<ref name="Ghost"/> The reason, he said, was "because many of the Norwegian (and German) 'nazis' embraced our Pagan religion as our blood-religion and they rejected ]ity as Jewish ]".<ref name="Ghost">Varg Vikernes: , July 2005, accessed on 5 December 2012.</ref> He identifies three things which distinguish him from the "Nazis": "unlike them I am not socialistic (not even on a national level), I am not materialistic and I believe in (''the ancient Scandinavian''!) democracy".<ref name="Ghost"/> He expresses a desire to not be associated with ] sentiments.<ref name="Ghost"/> He also states that though he is a racist in the sense that he acknowledges physical and mental differences between the races, he hates no one and in general states that "hatred is irrational".<ref name="Dagbladet.no"/> | |||
| Religious studies scholar Egil Asprem characterised Vikernes as "an idol for skinheads with an inclination towards Paganism and for contemporary Pagans with an inclination towards National Socialism",<ref>{{cite journal |title=Heathens Up North: Politics, Polemics, and Contemporary Paganism in Norway |journal=The Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies |last=Asprem |first=Egil |year=2008 |volume=10 |issue=1 |page=59 |ref=harv |doi=10.1558/pome.v10i1.41}}</ref> while Jewish author ] described Vikernes as "busy promoting his ] and National Socialist philosophy from behind bars".<ref name="Kapl-319"/> According to author Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, "while in jail, Vikernes began to formulate his heathen ideology using material from Norse mythology combined with ]".<ref name="GC204"/> Goodrick-Clarke bases this account of Vikernes' beliefs on some articles that Vikernes had written for the short-lived magazine ''Filosofem''. He also uses the book '']'', and a manifesto called ''Vargsmål'' ("Varg's Speech"<ref name="VargsmålComment"/>), which Vikernes began to write after his imprisonment. Vikernes has denounced the English translation of his book in an article on his website. He has also stated on the website that "''Vargsmål'' was written in anger, while I was young and in isolation, and the book is marked by this".<ref name="VargsmålComment">{{cite web|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/a_comment_to_vargsmal_and_other_books_by_varg_vikernes.shtml |title=Varg Vikernes – A Comment to "Vargsmål" and other books by Varg Vikernes |publisher=Burzum.org |accessdate=15 July 2017}}</ref> | |||
| A 2009 interview for the Norwegian newspaper '']'' claimed that he was associated with neo-Nazi groups during his time in prison. He replied: "I have never formed or been a member of such organisations. The only organization I am a member of is ]" (''The Society for the Preservation of Traditional Standard Norwegian'').<ref name="Dagbladet.no"/> According to Swedish scholar ] in his book '']'', Vikernes became a central figure in the ] ] during his time in prison.<ref>"Advocating national socialism, anti-Semitism, eugenics, and racist paganism, Vikernes launched Norsk Hedensk Front in 1993, which soon evolved into a network of independent tribes called the Allgermanische Heidnische Front (AHF)". Gardell 2003: 307.</ref> The Heathen Front started as a group in Norway, ''Norsk Hedensk Front'' (Norwegian Heathen Front) or NHF, and grew into the international ''Allgermanische Heidnische Front'' (Pan-Germanic<!--This is the correct translation: Germanisch=Germanic, referring to the historic Germanic tribes, not to inhabitants of contemporary Germany--> Heathen Front) or AHF. Vikernes was considered to be the leader of the Norwegian Heathen Front, according to Xavier Cattarinich,<ref>"Vikernes is also the self-proclaimed leader of the Norsk Hedensk Front (Norwegian Heathen Front) and of an international heathen brotherhood he calls Cymophane." Article by Xavier Cattarinich, Kaplan 2000: 319.</ref> and Goodrick-Clarke mentions that Vikernes underlined "his role as chieftain of his Norwegian Heathen Front" with the writing of ''Vargsmål''.<ref>Goodrick-Clarke 2003: 205.</ref> | |||
| When he was asked about his involvement in the AHF in a 2004 interview, Vikernes stated that it was ] groups who "repeatedly wrote" that the NHF was a neo-Nazi group and that he was their leader, claims which he describes as "persecution".<ref name="BZINT"/> He also said that "the secret police claimed adamantly" that he was the leader of the Heathen Front.<ref name="BZINT"/> Vikernes then continued by stating that, as a result of these claims, he left the Heathen Front, to see what "the Antifa/Monitor morons and the secret police would do". In practice, Vikernes stated, he never was a member of the group, since, being in prison, he could not participate in their activities and he had never "met half of them".<ref name="BZINT"/> He also stated that if he wanted to write articles for their magazine, he could do that regardless of whether he was a member or not.<ref name="BZINT"/> | |||
| ==Personal life== | |||
| Vikernes has a son who was born in 2007 to his wife Marie Cachet.<ref>], 11 June 2008: {{no icon}}</ref> They were married the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://filosofem.altervista.org/bio.htm |title=Biografia |publisher=Filosofem.altervista.org |date= |accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref> In a 2008 interview, he said he and his wife were expecting a second child (Vikernes' third).<ref name="ReferenceA"> ''Dagbladet'' 6 June 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2009</ref> After his release, he and his family settled on a small farm in ]. They later moved to ] in France.<ref>Varg Vikernes: {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320084420/http://thuleanperspective.com/2013/03/15/the-cleansing/ |date=20 March 2013 }}, 15 March 2013, accessed on 8 April 2013.</ref> {{Asof|2018}}, he has seven children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq-w21ZPdWw|title=Go forth and Procreate!|first=Varg|last=Vikernes|date=27 February 2017|quote=I have 6 children already, and plan to have more}}</ref> | |||
| Vikernes is a ] and claims to have never used alcohol or other recreational drugs. He also avoids the unnecessary use of pharmaceutical drugs.<ref name="Count Regrets Nothing"/><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=29 November 2017|url=http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/2005_interview_metalcrypt.shtml|title=Interview with Varg Vikernes (10.05.2005), by Chris Mitchell|website=www.burzum.org|quote=No, I have never experienced with drugs. I don't even take an aspirin if I have a headache The only drug use I condone, so to speak, is the medical use of prescription drugs, when it is absolutely necessary (and it rarely is absolutely necessary) |deadurl=no|archivedate=29 June 2012|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120629233444/http://www.burzum.org/eng/library/2005_interview_metalcrypt.shtml}}</ref> | |||
| ==Works== | |||
| <!--this section is only for the lists--> | |||
| ===Discography=== | |||
| ====As Burzum==== | |||
| *1992 – '']'' (recorded January 1992) | |||
| *1993 – '']'' (recorded August 1992) | |||
| *1993 – '']'' (recorded April 1992) | |||
| *1994 – '']'' (recorded September 1992) | |||
| *1996 – '']'' (recorded March 1993) | |||
| *1997 – '']'' (recorded in prison 1994–1995) | |||
| *1999 – '']'' (recorded in prison 1998) | |||
| *2010 – '']'' (recorded in 2009) | |||
| *2011 – '']'' (recorded November 2010) | |||
| *2011 – '']'' (recorded March 2010) | |||
| *2012 – '']'' (recorded September 2011) | |||
| *2013 – '']'' (recorded throughout 2012) | |||
| *2014 – '']'' (recorded throughout 2013) | |||
| ====Other appearances==== | |||
| *1994 – ] – '']'' (wrote lyrics for four songs) | |||
| *1995 – Darkthrone – '']'' (wrote lyrics for one song) | |||
| *1994 – ] – '']'' (performed bass guitar) | |||
| *1993 – Mayhem – ''Life Eternal'' (EP, performed bass guitar) | |||
| *1991 – ] – ''Devoured Carcass'' (EP, performed electric guitar) | |||
| *1999 – Old Funeral – ''Join the Funeral Procession'' (compilation album, performed electric guitar) | |||
| *1999 – Old Funeral – '']'' (compilation album, performed electric guitar) | |||
| *2002 – Old Funeral – ''Grim Reaping Norway'' (live album, performed electric guitar) | |||
| ===Bibliography=== | |||
| * 1997 – ''Vargsmål'' | |||
| * 1999 – ''EihwaR'' | |||
| * 2000 – ''Germansk Mytologi og Verdensanskuelse'' | |||
| * 2001 – ''Guide to the Norse Gods and Their Names'' | |||
| * 2002 – ''Irminsûl'' | |||
| * 2004 – ''The Cult of Hel'' (unreleased) | |||
| * 2004 – ''The Mysteries and Mythology of Ancient Scandinavia'' | |||
| * 2006 – ''Речи Варга II'' (Russian language-only compilation of articles, the title means "Vargsmål II") | |||
| * 2011 – ''Sorcery and Religion in Ancient Scandinavia'' | |||
| * 2014 – ''MYFAROG'' (Mythic Fantasy Roleplaying Game)<ref>http://myfarog.org/</ref> | |||
| * 2015 – ''Reflections on European Mythology and Polytheism'' | |||
| * 2017 – ''Paganism Explained, Part I: Þrymskviða'' {{small|(with Marie Cachet)}} | |||
| * 2017 – ''Paganism Explained, Part II: Little Red Riding Hood & Jack and the Beanstalk'' {{small|(with Marie Cachet)}} | |||
| * 2018 – ''Paganism Explained, Part III: The Cult of Mithra & Hymiskviða'' {{small|(with Marie Cachet)}} | |||
| * 2018 - ''Paganism Explained, Part IV: Valhöll & Odinn in Yggdrasill'' {{small|(with Marie Cachet)}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Reflist|30em}} | |||
| ==Sources== | |||
| * , page 8, paragraph title ''Norsk Hedensk Front'', published by Antirasistisk senter and Monitor {{no icon}} | |||
| * , a report from Antirasistisk senter {{no icon}} | |||
| * , news coverage in '']'' {{no icon}} | |||
| * , news coverage in ''Aftenposten'' | |||
| * , news coverage in ''Aftenposten'' | |||
| * (old photo before new political affiliations) | |||
| * in '']'' on Novak and his actions | |||
| * , news coverage in '']'' {{no icon}} | |||
| * , news coverage in '']'' {{no icon}} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| * Kevin Coogan. 1999. ''Hit List'' 1:1 (February/March), 33–59. Retrieved 23 July 2009. | |||
| * ]. 2003. '']: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism''. Duke University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-8223-3071-4}} | |||
| * ]. 2003. '']: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism and the Politics of Identity''. New York University Press. {{ISBN|0-8147-3155-4}} | |||
| * Jeffrey Kaplan (Ed.). 2000. '']: A Sourcebook on the Radical Racist Right''. AltaMira Press. {{ISBN|978-0-7425-0340-3}} | |||
| * ] & Didrik Søderlind. 1998. '']: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground.'' Feral House. {{ISBN|0-922915-48-2}} | |||
| * Torstein Grude. 1998. '']'' (''Satan Rides the Media''). (film) | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| * | |||
| * – Varg Vikernes' personal blog | |||
| * | |||
| * – Varg Vikernes and Marie Cachet's blog about alternative ways of raising children | |||
| {{Burzum}} | |||
| {{Mayhem (band)}} | |||
| {{Neo-Nazism}} | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Vikernes, Varg}} | |||
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Revision as of 22:24, 12 October 2018
varg vikernes