# Varg Vikernes

> Norwegian black metal musician

**Wikidata**: [Q207824](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207824)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varg_Vikernes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/varg-vikernes

## Summary
Varg Vikernes is a Norwegian black metal musician, best known as the founder and primary member of the black metal project Burzum. Born in 1973, he gained notoriety for his extreme musical style and controversial public persona, including his alias "Count Grishnackh." His work in the early 1990s helped shape the black metal genre and left a lasting impact on underground music culture.

## Biography
- Born: February 11, 1973, in Oslo, Norway
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Known for: Founding the black metal project Burzum and pioneering the extreme subgenre of black metal
- Employer(s): Deathlike Silence Productions (record label), Burzum (musical project)
- Field(s): Music, black metal

## Contributions
- **Burzum**: Founded the black metal project in 1991, releasing influential albums such as *Burzum* (1992) and *Filosofem* (1996). His work helped define the early black metal sound and aesthetic.
- **Deathlike Silence Productions**: Established the independent record label in 1990, which released early black metal and dark ambient music.
- **Old Funeral**: Formed the Norwegian metal band in 1988, contributing to the early development of black metal.
- **Mayhem**: Collaborated with the Norwegian black metal band, contributing to their early releases and influencing their sound.

## FAQs
**What is Varg Vikernes known for?**
Varg Vikernes is known for founding the black metal project Burzum and pioneering the extreme subgenre of black metal. His work in the early 1990s helped shape the genre's sound and aesthetic, earning him a notorious reputation in underground music culture.

**Where was Varg Vikernes born?**
Varg Vikernes was born on February 11, 1973, in Oslo, Norway.

**What record label did Varg Vikernes found?**
Varg Vikernes founded the independent record label Deathlike Silence Productions in 1990, which released early black metal and dark ambient music.

**What bands was Varg Vikernes involved with?**
Varg Vikernes was involved with the Norwegian metal bands Old Funeral, Burzum, and Mayhem, contributing to their early releases and influencing their sound.

**What is Varg Vikernes' real name?**
Varg Vikernes' real name is Kristian Larsson Vikernes.

## Why They Matter
Varg Vikernes is significant in the history of black metal for his pioneering work with Burzum and Deathlike Silence Productions. His extreme musical style and controversial persona helped define the early black metal sound, influencing countless musicians and shaping the underground music scene. His legacy continues to be studied and debated within the metal community, particularly for his role in the genre's early development and the controversies surrounding his public persona.

## Notable For
- Founder of the black metal project Burzum, one of the most influential early black metal bands.
- Pioneer of the extreme subgenre of black metal, helping shape its sound and aesthetic.
- Established the independent record label Deathlike Silence Productions, which released early black metal and dark ambient music.
- Collaborated with the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, contributing to their early releases.
- Known for his controversial public persona, including his alias "Count Grishnackh," which added to his notoriety in the underground music scene.

## Body

### Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Varg Vikernes was born Kristian Larsson Vikernes on February 11, 1973, in Oslo, Norway. He began his musical career in the late 1980s, forming the Norwegian metal band Old Funeral in 1988. This early work laid the groundwork for his later contributions to black metal.

### Founding Burzum and Deathlike Silence Productions
In 1991, Vikernes founded the black metal project Burzum, which became one of the most influential early black metal bands. He released several albums under the project, including *Burzum* (1992) and *Filosofem* (1996), which helped define the genre's sound and aesthetic. In 1990, he established the independent record label Deathlike Silence Productions, which released early black metal and dark ambient music, further contributing to the underground music scene.

### Collaborations and Influence
Vikernes collaborated with the Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, contributing to their early releases and influencing their sound. His work with Burzum and Deathlike Silence Productions helped shape the early black metal genre and left a lasting impact on underground music culture.

### Controversial Public Persona
Vikernes gained notoriety for his controversial public persona, including his alias "Count Grishnackh." His extreme musical style and public persona added to his notoriety in the underground music scene, making him a significant figure in the history of black metal.

### Legacy and Impact
Varg Vikernes' legacy continues to be studied and debated within the metal community. His pioneering work with Burzum and Deathlike Silence Productions helped define the early black metal sound, influencing countless musicians and shaping the underground music scene. His controversies and public persona have also added to his enduring influence in the genre.

## References

1. [Source](https://elpais.com/internacional/2013/07/16/actualidad/1373986876_494741.html)
2. MusicBrainz
3. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/lists/514/000063325/)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/overvaket-vikernes-i-minst-et-ar/62463436)
6. AllMusic
7. [Source](https://www.aftenposten.no/verden/i/m696L/Varg-Vikernes-domt-i-fransk-domstol)
8. ISWC Network
9. Discogs
10. Encyclopaedia Metallum
11. Google Knowledge Graph
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. Quora
14. The Movie Database