The romantic image of the ancient world is very inspiring, as is nature itself, but I think the dissatisfaction with our modern world is the strongest force keeping me going.
Civilization is going down the drain, and the sooner it does, the better.
The spirit of Burzum never changed, but my ability to make music changed dramatically when I was imprisoned. It is more or less impossible to record music in prison, and the only music I could record was electronic music, when I was allowed to have a synthesizer for a few months in 1994 or 1995 and in 1998.
Burzum is a projection of me or, at the very least, a projection of a side of me, but you can, of course, view Burzum and Varg as separate entities, as you surely can like the first and dislike the other, or vice versa for that sake, but to me, my music will always be a natural part of me.
I do vote, and naturally, I vote for so-called extremist parties, the further to the right the better, but that's where my participation in politics ends.
This might disappoint you somewhat, but I have to say my interest in Tolkien has faded dramatically over the years. His language skills are amazing, his story good and fascinating, but... he has a very Judeo-Christian perspective, and his use of mythical creatures is very... ignorant.
That Hollywood 'LotR' movie really sucked, and was a true turn-off. That's what Hollywood always does, even to good stories.
The prison system in Norway is fairly civilized, by world standards, and so are the prisoners and the guards.
I believe in blood, soil, and honour; family, homeland, and hamingja; strength, traditions, and courage.
Until I was around 12 or 13, I only listened to classical music, mostly Tchaikovsky. But around that age, I started listening to Iron Maiden, and that's when I purchased my first guitar, a pearl-white Westone.
My biggest inspiration was always early Iron Maiden, because it was the only band I knew for some time, and, as we all know, Iron Maiden is great.
If you want to build something fantastic, just do it. Who is stopping you?
Lead by example. Be better than those you despise.
Innovation, creativity, and lunacy goes hand in hand.
I am not concerned about my posthumous fame. Monuments are no good to the dead.
Climate changes are caused by solar radiation and other natural phenomena, so I don't worry one bit about that. Nothing we do can change anything in the climate.
Life is best when lived your way and not as a negation of what you don't like.
I don't think I have an image of being an underground musician. I have an image of being an uncompromising musician, and I am well known in Norway partly because of that.
I am not religious in any way, but I have a pagan ideology and pagan values.
To live like we are supposed to, we need to listen to our blood, so to speak. Our paganism is in our blood, and to be able to create a positive and meaningful civilization in the future, on the ruins of the 'Sodom and Gomorrah' we live in today, we need to live in accordance with our blood.
