Vikernes

Varg Vikernes, born on February 11, 1973, in Bergen, Norway, is a Norwegian musician and writer who is best known for founding the black metal project Burzum. His early recordings helped shape the sound and atmosphere of the Norwegian black metal movement, and Burzum’s albums from the early 1990s are frequently cited as influential within the genre.

In 1993, Vikernes killed Øystein Aarseth (Euronymous), a member of the band Mayhem, in Oslo. In 1994 he was convicted of murder as well as several church arsons and received a 21-year prison sentence, the maximum under Norwegian law at the time. He was released on parole in 2009 after serving about 16 years. Following his release, he continued to release Burzum material and engaged in writing and online activity.

Vikernes has been a controversial figure due to his writings and statements on religion, politics, and ethnicity. Some sources have described him as having extremist or neo-Nazi sympathies, though he has disputed these labels and characterized his views as personal and philosophical, with emphasis on Norse history and pagan traditions. His public persona and past actions have contributed to ongoing debate about the line between artistic expression and political ideology within the black metal scene.

His discography under Burzum includes early albums such as Burzum (1992) and Det Som Engang Var (1993), followed by Filosofem (1996) and later releases after his release from prison. Vikernes remains a polarizing figure in metal culture, recognized for his influence on the genre and for the legal and ethical controversies surrounding his actions and beliefs.