Interview
with Burzum from Genocide Zine (spring 1997)
Interview with Burzum from Genocide Zine
I guess
there is no need for a long introduction to the person interviewed below.
During the past year there have been several articles written about Varg
Vikernes in norwegian newspapers. In some of these articles Vargs expressions
have been various, and it also seemed like he always changed his mind. As you
might know, newspapers doesn`t always tell you the truth, therefore I sent Varg
some questions and here is his answers.
Greetings
Varg! How is life treating you these days? What do you do to keep yourself
occupied while you`re in jail?
Greetings! Life is treating me as expected, and, whether I like it or not, as I
want it to treat me. We all weave the threads of destiny, for ourselves: in
long run the benefit of ourselves. To keep me occupied I study, write. train
and read books.
Not so
long ago you were transfered from Bergen to ILA. How is ILA compared to Bergen?
What would you say was the reason behind your transfer? Are they trying to give
you a hard time or what?
Considering ILA is an old concentration camp used by the germans in WW2 (then
called Grini, one of two in Norway. The other one being Falstad in Tr›ndelag in
mid-Norway) and Bergen prison being built in 1991 a.y.p.s. there is an obvious
difference. Also considering the fact that ILA house almost exclusively killers
and rapists while Bergen prison house almost exclusively burglars, car-thieves,
petty drugdealers and other "minor scum". The difference is very
obvious. Still if comparing the two there is not much a difference. ILA has
been more or less renovated, and the rules are only slightly more strict. Less
drug-problems though, due to the fact that almost no "drug-criminals"
serve here. The reason of my transfer is not totally clear to me (or anyone
else it seems). Yes, someone wants to give me a hard time. Anyway, no big
problem. No complaints. That which does not destroy me, makes me stronger, as
Nietzsche said it.
How
would describe your time in Old Funeral and Mayhem? How was it to play in these
bands?
The time in Old Funeral was technically and musically very educative. A bit
tiresome to play because nor all of us took it very serious. Never really
played in Mayhem. I rehersed with them some six times, recorded the album with
them and that was it. I have heard they removed my playing later by the way, as
Euronymous` parents didn`t want me on "their sons album". Funny.
Anyway, Hellhammer, the drummer if anybody shouldn`t know already, is (and was)
a very good drummer and a nice guy, so I remember more playing with him, than
with Mayhem. Well, that might be two sides of the same thing... I mean, what
would Mayhem be without Hellhammers unique drumming?
Why
have you decided to use norwegian lyrics? Would it be because you`re a
nationalist or is there more to it? What do you think is the reason why so many
bands from Norway only uses norwegian lyrics?
In 1992, both Fenriz and I, wrote texts in norwegian, both without knowing the
other one was doing it. I can`t speak for Fenriz, but I did it because it felt
naturally. It sort of suddenly came to me that writing in an alien language was
rather stupid. Nationalism had a lot to say on this choice of course. Why
others do the same? I guess they realized the same as I did, and Fenriz
perhaps. It`s nice to be cross as well, making the texts esoteric, only some
know the language. That`s a typical norwegian thing; do the opposite of what
everybody else want you to do, or expect you to do.
Have
there and are there still a strong link between you and Fenriz?
About the link between Fenriz and I there is not much to be said. We still have
our argumentative correspondanse, but for a year I was isolated in Bergen
unable to correspond with rearly anybody. They even stopped letters from my
mother as "nazism". So that period we had no contact, quite obviously.
The link must be mutual respect, quarrels(private) and the enjoyment of that.
The strongest links are eyecolour, nationality, and names... or is it?
Where
do you get your musical and lyrical inspiration from? Do you have any special
source of influence?
I am "drugfree". No drugs - not even Coca Cola or candy. Inspiration?
HM... main inspiration must be Waffen SS. Influence is classical, barokk,
folkmusic, romantic music (Wagners "Der Ring Des Nibelungen" for
example) and techno.
What
are your lyrics, both old and new, dealing with? Do they have any special theme
or topic?
They`re all dealing with topics I find interesting, as Paganism, romantics
(national), the occult and mysticism. Not least the mystics around death vs.
life, darkness vs. light and other dualities.
Tell me
all there is to know both musically and lyrically about following albums:
"Burzum"
Musically: Ugly sound, annoying vocals and actually variation. This all is what
made it so different when it came out in march 1992.
Lyrically: Astral projection, the afterlife, the mesopotanian aquarius, hope,
selfworship, destruction of the world as it is today, and eternity, what once
was.
"ASKE"
Musically: Fuzzy sound. Better drumsound, even more annoying vocals and more
monotonous songs. Done in three hours all in all in studio, contra the debut`s
19 hours in studio. Session bass-player, Samoth of Emperor.
Lyrically: Suicide, about the fact that "gods" adversary is dominant,
and eternity.
"DET
SOM ENGANG VAR"
Musically: Aggressive yet calm, most varied album of Burzum this far. Primitive
production. Recorded half a year before "Aske" in 26 hours, I think
(don`t remember for sure actually). Lotsa bass, and otherwise "thin"
sound.
Lyrically: Norway as it once was, the wisdom we had, melancholic thinking
(contemplation more correct). The hall and ring of Wotan, Wotan (he who left
us), the loss of mysticism in nature and death.
"HVIS
LYSET TAR OSS"
Musically: Speedy yet slow music. Fairly good, but noisy production. Endurance
in drumming, floating end. First concept-album, real concept album. Also
musically.
Lyrically: In right order; first death, dying and the memory of what once was,
then wondering, if the light take us, the light who burns us, dehydrate and
hurt us, the journey to Valhalla, Wotans hall, a ride towards Valhalla, in a
way life itself, seeking death. Lastly the peace of complete emptyness, after a
long, speedful ride through life. Calm, peace, sleep. I made this album
actually to exhaust myself before I go to sleep, exhausted I sleep, fall asleep
in emptyness - the final track.
"FILOSOFEM"
Musically: Noisy, heavy drums, more aggressive vocals, monotonousness brought
to the extreme, endurance-drumming, music for special occations only. Music for
solitude and in "melancholic nights". "Entrancing" music,
hypnotic. Time confusive.
Lyrically: Praise of darkness, the queen of night, respect of the dead pagans,
more contemplation, contempt of decrepitude, duality; light vs. darkness, what
once was, hope, contempt of the world as it is today, Wotan.
The
material on "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" is different and sometimes more
melodic and moody than the older material. What would you say is the main
difference? Will also "Filosofem" be different from the other albums,
or what?
The songs are actually less melodic, with the exeption of the last track on the
"HLTO" album. The main difference is the song-length and degree of
monotonousness. Musically more simplicity. None of the albums sound the same I
think, and "Filosofem" will be no difference. The "Burzum"-track
from august 1991 appear on "Filosofem", still it doesn`t sound like
the debut or the song on "DSEV" who was made the same year. I use a
different drum-kit on all the albums, with exeption of the one used on the
debut and on "DSEV". Well, actually I used the same kit on
"Aske" as on "HLTO" when I think of it. Also with each
production I learn something about sound and production. So the next album
always end up sounding a bit better (in my eyes though).
Will
"Filosofem" be the last chapter in the saga of Burzum? Have you got
any plans for Burzum? What happens with Burzum now that you`re in jail?
After "Filosofem" I will release the "Balders
Död"("The death of Balder") album, sometime in `97 or late 1996
I think. I have no rush. With time I will be able to record and release more
albums. In one to two years time I guess.
What
would you like to tell me about your new project, Hlidskjolw? How would you
describe its music? When will the first Hlidskjolw album be released?
Hlidskjolw is the name of a Burzum album I never was able to finish. I have
half the album recorded and I will continue when I can. It`s together with
"Balders D›d" a part of a Burzum concept trilogy. The music you will
hear when it`s released.
Why did
you decide to start your own synth/ambient project? What`s your opinion about
this style of music, and other synth/ambient bands?
Electronic music, no ambient/synth style music. I know enough about other
bands, be they electronic or not.
Have
you got any favorite bands, both metal and non-metal? Do you think it`s
becoming a trend to play industrial, ambient, atmospherical music?
Fave "bands" must be Hedningärna, Das Ich, Goethes Erben, Rinnan
Band, Vidkuns Venner, Vangelis, Nacht und Nebel, Adolphe Adam, Wagner, Grieg,
Mozart, Blood-Axis, with more.
Well, I care
no whit about what is trendy and what is not. I like what I like, no matter if
it`s a trend or not.
What do
you think of people who claim to be "evil" or "satanic"?
I never think of them, but when asked to I must say it`s quite amuzing. The guy
I killed was "evil" and "satanic" as well, it didn`t help
him much did it? Losers begging for mercy the moment they`re threatened.
Pathetic. Anybody can be "evil" and "satanic" when they`re
home in their kidsrooms answering interviews, but they tend to run like chicken
if some real trouble arise. I speak from experience, you bet.
Lots of
bands have said that they have been listening to Venom, Bathory, Hellhammer,
Celtic Frost, etc. for ages. Why, in your opinion, didn`t they come out with
material earlier? What do you think is the reason behind it?
They`re probably 16-17 years old, +/-now, and weren`t able to produce music
earlier. Or perhaps they were listening to MAX MIX 9 and Madonna until they saw
us in the paper one morning?
Anyway,
what matters is what they are today, not what they were. Right? (I agree! You
shouldn`t be judged after your past. It is as you say. It is what they are
today that matters. -ED!) Besides, listening to pop music isn`t any more
"negroid" than listening to metal-music, so who cares if they do?
After all, metal music, all rock `n roll, has its roots in negro-music. That is
why I stopped playing metal-music in the first place.
What`s
your opinion about following themes/topics?
Nazism: The biological
cosmology, the road to Valhalla.
Fascism: The road to the New Roman Empire.
Racism: Every race`s natural survivalinstinct.
Nationalism: Necessary.
Immigration: Traitors running away from their problems, instead of
solving them, or dying in the attempt-like.
Communism: Just another jewish tool of manipulation.
Paganism: Latin word for non-jewish.
Heathendom: The germanic paganism.
Christianity: Just another jewish tool of manipulation.
In the
past you have claimed to be a satanist, a heathen, a odinist, a nazist/fascist,
a racist and a nationalist. To clear things out, where do you stand today? What
do you consider yourself as?
For the sake of simplicity, and tactics I call myself a "true pangermanic
norwegian". This leave you the option to suspect me of being almost
anything of the above. However, the only way I can correctly be called a
"satanist" is if you intepret the hebrew word "satan" as
"the adversary". I am definately an adversary to everything jewish,
including their childish fairytail "god".
What
does these persons represent in your eyes?
Adolf Hitler: Deutschland. Friedrich Nietzsche: 19th century`s
&Arlig;bermensch mentality.
Sigmund Freud: Jewish libido, a spiritual black death.
Charles Manson: New America. The future U.S.A.
Aleister Crowley: Jewish libido in practice. Misinterpretation of
western magic.
Anton Z. LaVey: U.S. plastic culture, american tastelessness. Jewish
libido, capitalism and hedonism.
Joseph Goebbels: Propaganda. The master of the art.
Charles Darwin: The theory of evolution.
Count Dracula: Romantic crap for women. Romanian victory over the turks.
Marquis de Sade: Never heard of him. Sounds french to me.
Countess Bathory: Stupid slavic bitch.
Tor Erling staff: Liberalism.
Do you
believe in the existance of "true love" and "happiness"?
What would you say is the most constructive emotion there is? How do you feel
about love, hate, happiness and sorrow? Happiness is an illusion made
by mankind. True love is when you`re willing to make sacrifice for a person,
cause, whatever, without wanting anything in return. The most constructive
emotion? Destruction is construction, but I don`t believe emotions has got
anything to do with that. Love and hate, joy and sorrow, is necessary. It`s the
differences that creates energy.
What is
the beauty of pain to you? How is it possible to find the beauty of pain?
Why ask me about that? Anyway, pain increase the enjoyment of the opposite, so
in that sense it`s a "beautiful" thing.
How do
you see what people call "the complete evolution"? What is mother
earth`s destiny like? The return to a naked singularity.
Earths destiny? Ask the past...
How are
you able to develop body, spirit and mind behind the prison bars?
Same way as you out there, in the "illusion of freedom".
What is
your view on women? How do you feel about sowing the seeds for the next
generation? What will the world be like for our children and their children?
My view on women. They`re equal with us men, based on their unique qualities,
and ours of course. However, we have different tasks in this world, based on
the same unique qualities of both sexes. Lets just say I`m against abortion for
some depending on certain qualities of the parents, and I`m in favour of forced
abortions for some. I have a light blond, blue-eyed daughter, age 3 1/2, and
intend to father more such "quality products". The world is at a
turning point, it will be even more violent, sick and cruel, for some time
however.
What
about the "freedom of speech"? Does such a thing exist for you and I?
Are we extremists because we express ourselves against christianity and
immigration?
We are not extremists (I don`t think we are either, but my experience the last
year tells me that a lot of people think we are. -ED!). I find it far more
extreme wanting to destroy ones own unique race, culture and religion.
Replacing it with greedy degenerated bastards and a fully jewish religion, than
wanting to treasure and uphold our own. Freedom of speech exists to a limitid
degree, being able to express my opinions, due to censorship. This prison is
strict, but not as fanatic as Bergen prison was, in limiting my freedom of
speech. Well, I`m a revolutionary in Norway, a true norwegian, something the
judeo-christian bastards ruling this country don`t like.
What
about the murder of Euronymous? What effect did this have to the norwegian
black metal scene?
The killing (not murder) gave the scene a boost.
How do
you feel towards the fact that you have to be in jail at least the next 10-11
years? Do you have any regrets towards your own actions? If yes, what is it
that you regret? Anything you should have done?
No regrets. However my experience taught me that it`s better to kill one to
many than one to little in Norway. Prison is a negative thing but as I said;
That which does not kill me, makes me stronger.
How was
the trial against you? Did you get a fair trial? What was done wrong against
you? Are you a victim of the inquisition anno the 1990`s?
Lets just say the inquisition of the middle ages would be impressed by the one
called "system of justice" today, if they had the chance to see it in
function. Some hints; the first psychiatrist was a jew and freemason, the other
one was a communist, the jury was average age around 70, with two freemasons
and a "christian healer" in it (a guy claiming to see through you and
healing you with the help of jesus). My defencelawyer was a homosexual, my
"friends" defencelawyer was a freemason witnessing against his own
client just to nail me, the judge was a woman and a member of the "workers
party" and so on. Incredibly as it may seem, I actually found the
prosecutor/district attorney the least threat. I could go on and on, telling
about this incredible inquisition. Pulling this show they called a "fair
trial", but I guess you got the point. And of course, I got to know most
of the facts mentioned above after the trial was all over. The only thing I
knew was the jury`s average age and the stand of the "co-defence
lawyer".
The
29th of august 1995 I read an article/interview with Varg in the norwegian
newspaper "Dagbladet". Due to the fact that it often happens that
what is written in newspapers doesnt always tell the truth, I wanted to hear
what Varg had to say about this. The next five questions deals with that
article/interview.
Why do
you want to fight satanism and the black metal scene? Why do you want to tear
apart the satanic ideology and make satanists look ridiculous?
I fight everything alien to our culture, race and religion, including
christianity (satanism). I don`t remember mentioning the black metal scene though
(I guess it`s something the journalist took out of the air. -ED!).
Wouldn`t
this be a contradiction in term when you still get paid for your Burzum albums?
Do you reject your own past? Do you hate your past, or what?
What has Burzum got to do with satanism and black metal? (I see it this way;
You are Burzum, and once you even claimed to be a satanist. -ED!) Old Burzum is
metal music alright, but whats "black" about it? (In case you don`t
remember I can tell you. In the interview in Slayer Mag. #10 in the end of
question one you say, and i quote: "I don`t view rock `n roll as the roots
of my Black Metal...". -ED!) I represent the ultimate light, the darkness
of everything jewish. The light of the sun, light skin, light hair, light
everywhere. I am what I always have been, and I stopped call myself a satanist,
simply because I understood that I am not, have never been, and never will be.
Satanism is just another jewish religion. I am proud of my past, present and my
future.
What
can you tell me about "Norsk Hedensk Front"?
N.H.F. is for, by and to true Teutons.
Why is
H.N.F. needed?
You will know when we want you to know.
When
will your book "Vargsmål" be published, and do you have plans for
more books?
The book is due for release in april `96, in norwegian. It will be translated
into both english and german. More books will come frome me, aye. See answer
above for more details.
What`s
your opinion of the use of corpsepaint? Was your use of this only an experiment
when you were in a depressive period of your life, or what?
Corpsepaint? I used it ritually as warpaint, but you`re right it was used
experimentally and during a period death was a "favour topic". This
in connection to sgardsreien, the army of undead warriors. Wotans heer.
Enough
of that. Burzum is signed to Misanthropy Records(UK). How do you feel about
this label? What makes it so great? I guess Diamanda treat you with respect.
How has your albums been selling and will you stick to this label in the
future?
Diamanda of misanthropy is doing a very good job, with german efficiency, so I
have no plans signing to any other label. Burzum has sold some 20.000 of each
release, but as this is old numbers and all the albums are still selling it`s
hard to tell. Also we let labels in South America, Japan and Poland print and
sell the albums in their own format/versions. And I have no idea how much they
have sold. The sale rates goes up as the distribution increase. Ask Diamanda
about this, I don`t really know anything for sure.
Now
that I have asked so many questions I give you the opportunety to ask me
whatever you want.
Okay... What does the following mean to you:
Eugenics: Genetic
manipulation. A way which makes it possible to eliminate undesirable genetic
material, and it also makes it possible to diagnose genetic defects in the
unborn. This also makes it possible to control and create a superior race,
without defects.
Valhalla:
Odins hall where warriors who fall in battle will live.
The
number; nine: This number goes again and again in actions taken by the Vikings, and
according to the Norse mythology Heimdall were born of nine sisters. Some also
claim it stands for wisdom.
Wotan: One of Odins many
names.
Atlantis: A legendary island
in the Atlantic ocean. Some believe this island really existed until it went
under water.
Thule: The name of the
occult sect I believe Hitler was a part of. Thule is also another name for
Greenland, and landscape which goes from north of Trondheim to the polarcircle
(the north one).
Finally
we have reached the end of this rather long interview. The last words are
yours. End this as you wish to end it.
Hail Wotan! Meine Ehre heisst Treue.
Two pages
worth checking out?
Anti-Burzum site
Burzum Tribute site
If you
have the Genocide URL please mail it to me - Rainer