Varg Vikernes

Varg Vikernes (legal name Louis Cachet, born Kristian Vikernes on February 11, 1973 near Bergen, Norway) is a black metal musician, convicted murderer, arsonist and political activist. In 1991, Vikernes created the one-man music project Burzum. Burzum quickly became important within the early Norwegian black metal scene. Later he became a part of the Heathen Front and wrote several writings on Germanic neopaganism.

Varg Vikernes
Vikernes during his last year in prison in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Kristian Vikernes
Also known as	Count Grishnackh
Born	(1973-02-11) February 11, 1973 (age 52) Bergen, Norway
Genres	Black metal black ambient ambient
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, political activist
Instruments	Electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, synthesizer, vocals
Years active	1987–2015
Website	Burzum.org

In the early 1990s, there were black metal bands who believed in burning churches to prove their hatred for Christianity. Vikernes was found guilty of arson and the murder of Mayhem band member Øystein 'Euronymous' Aarseth.^[1][2] He was sent to prison for 21 years. Vikernes was up for parole in 2008 but it was denied. He was released in March 2009.^[3]

On July 16th 2013, Vikernes and his wife, a French national, were arrested in Corrèze, France, on suspicion of planning acts of terrorism because his wife had purchased four rifles.^[4] They were released with no charges after police could not identify any terrorist plans or targets.^[5]