A native of Bergen, Vikernes spent part of his childhood in Iraq, where his father worked for the Iraqi government. He started playing guitar at age 14 and formed his first band, Kalashnikov, within the next two years.[6] After founding Burzum, he became part of the early Norwegian black metal scene. In 1992, Vikernes, along with other members of the scene, was suspected of burning down four Christian churches in Norway. Vikernes denied responsibility for the fires, although he supported them. In early 1993, he recorded four albums as Burzum and another with the black metal band Mayhem.
In August 1993, Vikernes fatally stabbed Mayhem guitarist Euronymous during an argument in the guitarist's apartment, and was arrested shortly afterwards. In May 1994, Vikernes was sentenced to 21 years in prison, the maximum sentence under Norwegian law, for first-degree murder, arson in churches and possession of explosives. He later served 15 years in prison.[7] Vikernes said the murder was in self-defense and unsuccessfully argued that the charge should be reduced to voluntary manslaughter (murder occasioned by reckless act in the heat of the moment but not intended to kill).[8][9] During his imprisonment, Vikernes launched the Norwegian Heathen Front, had two books published, and released two environmental albums with Burzum.[10] He also started a blog which, in the words of a Rolling Stone writer, "endorsed neo-Nazi views and contained protests against Muslims and Jews".[7] While Vikernes openly embraced Nazism during the 1990s; he has since repudiated the ideology and its associated movements, though commentators continue to label his views as far-right. He calls his beliefs "Odalism" and advocates a "pre-industrial European pagan society".[11]
Having served 15 years of his sentence, Vikernes was released on parole in early 2009.[12][13] He changed his legal name to Louis Cachet to avoid difficulties with the public, but still goes by Varg Vikernes in daily life.[14] After his release, he moved to France with his wife and children, where he continued to write and make music, having released 9 albums since then.[15][16]