varg vikernes

In 1993, he changed his first name Kristian to Varg (Swedish for 'wolf'). Later, he also used the name Varg Qisling. Vikernes was at the cradle of the black metal project Burzum. Some time after he played with the black metal group Mayhem for the album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, he ventured into extreme right-wing waters, started to strongly oppose Christianity and became not only anti-Christian but also anti-Semitic. Vikernes' actions disturbed public order in Norway: in 1994, he was sentenced to 21 years in prison for arson of three churches and one chapel (Skjold, Åsane, Storetveit and the Holmenkollen chapel) and for the murder of Øystein 'Euronymous' Aarseth, guitarist of the band Mayhem. Vikernes confessed to killing Aarseth, but pleaded self-defense. He denied involvement in the arson. In prison, he changed his name to Varg Qisling Larssøn Vikernes. Varg is Swedish for wolf, and Qisling refers to the family name of Vidkun Quisling, who led the Nazi government in Norway during World War II. Vikernes claims to be related to Quisling. Vikernes co-founded the Allgermanische Heidnische Front and is an active promoter of Ásatrú, the ancient religion of Scandinavia.