Varg Vikernes (Norwegian: [ˈvɑrɡ ˈviːkəɳeːs]) (since 2008 legally Louis Cachet), is a Norwegian musician, writer, and blogger. In 1991, he founded the one-man music project Burzum, which is considered one of the most influential black metal acts. Three years later, he was convicted of murder and arson, and subsequently served 14 years in prison. A native of Bergen, Vikernes spent part of his childhood in Iraq. 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. He soon became part of the early Norwegian black metal scene. 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 Mayhem. In August 1993, Vikernes 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. Vikernes maintains that he killed Aarseth 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 ambient albums as Burzum. Having served 14 years of his sentence, Vikernes was released on parole in early 2009. 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. 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 Burzum 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 Blood and Soil–derived form of nationalism and the re-adoption of native European values and belief systems, such as elements of traditional paganism. He also advocates environmentalism, permaculture, and survivalism.

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