Interview with Varg Vikernes
"Deprived" Magazine (#3, 1995)
Antoinette Flynn and Brian Taube

Who amongst us has not heard of Burzum - or Varg Vikernes, the notorious being behind its creation - jailed, for 21 years, for murder. Varg's strong views have earned him enemies, but the music speaks for itself. Unfortunately, "Filosofem" will be Burzum's final opus and although Varg will continue to write under the Lidskjalw banner it will be a complete change in style. The first part of the interview was answered two days before Varg was given his sentence in May 1994 (14.05.1994). He chose to answer only the questions relevant to the expression of his beliefs. In December 1994 I sent him some extra questions, to see if he had been changed by his experiences. The first question he answered was question four, concerning the influence of Scandinavian mythology over its extreme music.

Do you think there might be some relationship between the dark extreme myths of Scandinavia's past gods and heroes, and the dark extreme music now generated in those lands? Are the echoes of the past influencing this music?

The Viking blood still runs through our veins. The Semite-socialistic Christians have systematically destroyed our culture, our religion (cosmology really) and everything belonging to the Germanic tribes. Even our myths are twisted and corrupted. Nevertheless we are Germanic and thinking, and behaving thereafter. It is not echoes from the past, it is echoes from ourselves. The archetypes awake within us. Aye, we are proud of our heritage but it's our blood that has begun boiling again, with fury and self respected, this is our awakening. The return of Wotan.

I think the dedication on "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" album is to Fenriz of Darkthrone. If so, can you tell me why you dedicated the album to Fenriz in particular?

"Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" er dedikert til mine broedre, Fenriz og Demonaz. Nordens Skalder, følg den brunne lampe of dens Hofding!" ("Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" is dedicated to my brethren Fenriz and Demonaz. Skalds of the north, following the brown lamp and its chieftain"). This is what is written on the inner sleeve. Why? Fenriz and Demonaz, have all the way supported me and Burzum/Cymophane. Fenriz is also one of "the wave to appear", up from the ashes of Wotan's Reich. The Norwegian heathen undemocratic Front and Cymophane world-wide.

Can you explain the meaning of the lyrics on "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss"? (If you feel that it is poetry which can not really be explained, can you describe your thoughts when writing it?)

It's a concept album about what once was before the light took us and we rode into the castle of the dream into emptiness. It's something like; beware the Christian light, it will take you away into degeneracy and nothingness. What others call light I call darkness, seek their darkness and hell and you will find nothing but evolution.

Do you write and record purely because it pleases you, or are trying to touch those with similar instincts world-wide?

Both reasons really. Not world-wide but in lands with a similar heritage to mine, or to people with the same heritage. Non Germanic people won't comprehend what the hell I'm talking about anyway. So mainly in Europe and in the USA.

Would you like to be remembered in a hundred years time? Why or why not?

It depends on what I'm to be remembered as or for. It's not a goal in itself to be remembered. It's far important what one actually accomplishes. I don't want to be remembered as one of the last Vikings, preferably as one of the first Vikings of the new world's raise! As earlier said; "The return of Wotan!"

I believe you feel strongly about Odin, your god, but there are other Norse Gods. Why do you hold Odin in highest regard amongst all of the gods?

There are no Norse gods, we have our Æser and Åsynjer. God is a Christian word. I believe in the spirit and the soul of Wotan (Odin is the Norse name for the German Wotan). The Germanic race is what is left of Odin/Wotan. We are all one - the body of Wotan. Odin/Wotan is the king and father of all the Æses. The king of all chieftains. The others are different sides of Wotan. Loke his shadow side, Hod his blind side, and so forth. The so-called gods are symbols of Germanic ideas and values. Odin is the Ase of eloquence, magic and wisdom, of war and death. He is what I seek, myself the Norse man.

Odin and our Celtic god Lugh, are both patrons of poetry, innovation, travel and it has been said that they are the same being, worshipped under a different name by our two cultures. Do you think this is possible? If so, can you see other similarities between us Celts and you Norsemen?

The Swedes call him Oden, the Icelanders call him Odhinn, the Norwegians and Danes call him Odin, the Germans call him Wotan, the Anglo-Saxons (Englishmen) call him Woden, and there may be other names for him as well. I call him Wotan, for that is his oldest name (and we all come from Northern Germany). We are all one. I know very little about your Celtic Paganism, so I cannot very well see the similarities between the Celts and the Norsemen all too well. But of course there may be some...

Would you like to live in Valhalla when you die?

My interpretation of Valhalla is very different from the Christian one (we have no Germanic records of it). I am now in the hall of battle, we are all there. Copy?

Can you see Burzum ever touring? Would you like to tour?

No and no. Burzum is not a live band. I will never say never, but I doubt it will ever happen. I strongly dislike concerts.

Despite all of the criticism you have encountered, Burzum retain a healthy and growing body of support. Some bands spurn popularity - what is your view on this? Would popularity bother you?

I think popularity just for the sake of popularity is ludicrous. If people like what I do, be it musically or ideologically, it is nothing but fine, such popularity simply tells me that there are people out there who appreciate what I am doing. Why the hell should I spurn such popularity? I would have to spurn myself and I don't. All support is good support, and we need this support to overthrow the Christian kingdoms. Burzum is a movement, not a band.

Do you think Black Metal will exist for a long time to come?

Until the end of the world as it is today, perhaps beyond. We are here to stay, maybe the newer bands will wimp out, but Darkthrone and Burzum are doomed to opposition against this world by our very own ability to think. This goes for a lot of our supporters too.

What would you need to do in your life to fulfill your greatest dream?

I'll answer the question partly by quoting Josef Goebbles, the two of us don't have a common goal, but the quote suits fine; "We shall reach our goal, when we have the power to laugh as we destroy, as we smash whatever was once sacred to us as tradition, as education and as human affection. Perhaps you will see what our goal was when it is reached, or perhaps you will lie lifeless in our track of blood?" The weaklings will perish... under Cymophane.

Would you like to say anything else to anyone else?

I will encourage all the proud Celts to contact "Up From The Ashes" (5 Rue Gabriel Pierné, 57000 Metz, France) and join us. Only the elite need pay attention to this. We are the tomorrow where Wotan reigns. Smash the weak, the inept (Antionette's trainees - Brian), the stupid (Ray Williams - Brian), the cowardish (Fenriz - Brian), the hypocrite (that's you Varg - Brian) (he is not!!! it's only the right of free press that is allowing Brian to say this, it is not my opinion - Antoinette) (so what? - Brian) (I can see the completion of this magazine running into difficulty - Antoinette), the enemy of our nature. Strife is evolution - peace is degeneration.

You have served about seven months of your sentence now, how have they been treating you?

I have served 17 months of my sentence, not 7 (Odin forgive me, I forgot that a sentence commences from the first day of imprisonment, not conviction - Antoinette). I "never" complain and I abstain from saying anything good about the police or prison powers, so there is not much to tell. The treatment varies a lot from guard to guard, from director to director.

Have your beliefs in the Norse race faltered? Why or why not?

Why should it? I do not think the word "believe" is satisfactory. To "believe" is cowardish, to have trust in or to know is another thing though. In this connection, I must say no, my views of the Norse people have not faltered. Actually it is not correct to talk about a Norse race. I talk about the white race, but the Norse-Germanic people. Included in the white race is also the Celt people, the Roman people and Slavic people. Well back to your question; you ask why not. All I have to do is to think logically and my views are strengthened. The more contact I have with non-Norse-Germanic peoples, the more I have trust in Norse-Germanic people. The fact that Norway turned down the EU membership proposition is a clear proof of our sovereignty to the other white peoples of the Old World (bollox, you just didn't want us fishing in your seas - Brian). Nuke Brussels (sprouts? don't you like vegetables? - Brian)!

Having had time to read and to think, have you been reading anything particularly interesting lately? What, for example? Has this helped you to develop any interesting ideas or philosophies? If so could you share any of these theories with us?

Not particularly interesting, but I have read books lately which were interesting. Like a book called "The Masks of Odin" revealing a theoscopic view on Norron (Norse) mythology. Also "Idunns Epeler" (The apples of Idunn) is quite interesting, dealing with the meaning of apples throughout the history of Europe and Scandinavia (fascinating - Brian).

In the restricted conditions you now suffer, can you still write music and lyrics? If so, can you describe this music, and do you plan to release it?

Aye, I can write both music and lyrics. The music and what I plan to do with it will remain unclear until anything perhaps is released. No need to awake any expectations or such now.

Are you pleased with the interest in "Det Som Engang Var" on its second release? Are you still happy with that album?

As I have nothing to do with the sales of that album I do not know what interest there may be for it. As a matter of fact, I really do not care, I make music mainly for myself not for others. I release it simply because there are people that want to release it and I see no harm in that. Aye, still happy with the album, but I must tell that it is strange to release the album (in more than 1000 copies) two and a half years after its recording. Also, "Filosofem" is already two years old, and still not released. Strange.

On "Filosofem", the fifth Burzum release, there are deliciously insidious sound effects plus another epic keyboard piece. Describe the atmosphere you are frying to evoke on this album. Do you think it will attract listeners outside the Black Metal genre?

What effects? I do not remember using any effects on the album apart from using a headset as a microphone for the vocals (note - adds to the suggestion that the "Filosofem" guitar effect was added later by Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin, but then why does "Once Emperor" have that effect? - Rainer). Well I have no interests in saying anything at all about the album, anybody interested may listen for himself whenever the album may be out. The "traditional Black Metal genre"? If you think twice you might remember that Burzum has never been promoted as "Black Metal" by my label. I usually do not care who listens to my music, but I would prefer that nobody from the "Black Metal scene" listens to Burzum, as the "black metallers" tend to be a bunch of pubertal losers with a strong feeling for inferiority. I dislike vehemently such low life. Burzum is not for weak losers with black hair (is that why you cut your dyed black hair Varg? - Brian). Burzum ist nur für Arier (well I didn't notice a "do not buy unless you are aryan" sticker on the cover of recent Burzum releases - Bryan). I do not know about Europe, but in Scandinavia, and on Iceland, mostly so-called "normal" people listen to Burzum, and of course, and unfortunately, the Black Metal losers listen to it as well.

Does evil exist?

For idiots yes, for others no.

Have you goals or aims? What are they? Will you fulfil them - even if this takes until the end of your sentence?

Maybe, maybe not, but anyway I won't tell you about it, or anybody else for that matter!

Is it possible to maintain a sense of humour in your situation? Do you think this is important?

I do not see why "my situation" should differ from anyone else's whether humour is important or not. I see no point in discussing my private life with anybody but my closest friends, so I won't.

Do you take the condoms with you from the visiting room, every time that you have visitors? If so what do you do with them?

I cannot take anything with me from the visiting room as they practice strict security here. When we end the visit and return to our cells, we first have to undress, open our mouths and lift the tongue for them to see if we have anything there, lift our arms, shake our heads so that anything hidden in the hair may fall out, lift our manly limb, and sit down in the hockey position so that anything we might have hidden up our arse may fall out, also we have to put on a new set of clothes before we are allowed into our cells. Everything in a special room with mirrors on the walls. Later, when they have checked the other clothes every inch, we get them back.

What, at this point in time, is your message to mankind?

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Authors: Antoinette Flynn and Brian Taube (© 1995 "Deprived" Magazine, UK/Ireland)