Burzum’s Varg Vikernes Arrested in France on Suspicion of Planning a ‘Massacre’
Burzum mastermind Varg Vikernes has been arrested in France for suspicion of planning a "massacre." Vikernes has been convicted of church arson and murder in the past, the latter of which kept him in prison for 15 years. According to various news sources, the French Ministry of the Interior deemed Vikernes "likely to prepare a large-scale act of terrorism."
Although Vikernes is perhaps black metal music's most notorious musician, the man is widely celebrated for his body of work, which along with Burzum, consists of Mayhem's classic debut full-length, 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas.' Before the album was even released, Vikernes infamously killed Mayhem guitarist Øystein 'Euronymous' Aarseth in 1993, stabbing the musician a total of 23 times. Vikernes was released from prison on May 22, 2009.
Vikernes, a father of three and open racist, has continued to create music both in and out of prison, with a total of five Burzum albums having been put out since the man's release from prison. In 2011, Vikernes was one of 530 French National Front supporters to receive the manifesto of Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in an Oslo, Norway bombing and shooting rampage. "[Vikernes receiving Breivik's manifesto] was at the origin of the investigation," says a spokesperson for the anti-terrorist prosecutor's office, which has been put in charge of the investigation of the Burzum musician. "There were several suspicions that made the services fear he could possibly carry out a violent act." Despite the connection to Breivik, Vikernes has publicly condemned the actions of the mass murderer.
Norwegian police searched the home of Vikernes in a search for weapons and explosives, but only four legally purchased rifles were found. Stay tuned for further news on the 2013 arrest of Vikernes for suspected terrorism.