In some circles, the name Varg Vikernes represents a figure of a musical vision, a thinker and a powerful individualist. To most, it refers to a convicted arsonist a murderer… and a fascist.

In 1994, Vikernes, the self styled ‘Count Grishnackh’ sat on trial in Bergen, Norway, for the murder of , black metal aka ‘Euronymous’ of rival band Mayhem and the arson of churches. As he was given Norway’s maximum 21-year sentence, he smiled.

It was an event that rocked international headlines and brought black metal (The most extreme wing of Heavy Metal music) screaming from the fog of obscurity. After rotting in his cell for 16 years, Varg Vikernes has emerged from Tromsø prison claiming to be ready for society.
Black metal is unlistenable to most, but it goes to show that Norwegians aren’t the quirky, fish-loving democrats of Europe. Long, black winters make for boredom; Viking roots cause a stir in the youngsters and conformist Christian society breeds satanic extremists.

While hip-hop comes from the ghetto, Black metal comes from middle class kids who live in nice houses in quaint European countries. The legacy of Norway’s Nazi regime and isolation from the rest of the world has sired the likes of Varg and others who started the movement, now a major commercial export. Black metal bands win Norwegian Grammys, play to massive crowds at huge Scandinavian festivals and have led to the cities of Oslo and Bergen being dubbed as ‘Heavy Metal Petting-Zoos’.

Not satisfied with the drone of his band, Burzum, loitering in the ranks of adolescent covens and hanging out with skinheads, Vikernes brought the Viking blood feud to the 20th Century when he stabbed his rival, Euronymous, in the head. It turned out at the trial that Varg, Euronymous and others were responsible for burning 12th century wooden churches, the most famous, called Fantoft, was photographed as the artwork for Burzum’s album ‘Aske’ (Ashes). His exploits gained him status as the villain of every Nordic bedtime story and a rallying banner for thousands of nationalists, neo-pagans and other extremists worldwide.

In 2003, the clever Mr Vikernes went AWOL and was forced from a stolen Volvo carrying an AG3 automatic rifle, a handgun, several knives, a gas mask, camo-gear, a laptop, compass, GPS, maps and a fake passport, most of which he shifted from a local army barracks.

It says wonders for the Norwegian military when the country’s most notorious criminal has no trouble robbing an armoury without being identified – or shot.

Six years later, the authorities have decided that he’s OK and decided to release him from prison this month. “I have learned from my mistakes and become older. Now I just want to be together with my family,” he told Norway’s Dagbladet newspaper. “I looked forward the day that I could work on my farm, create music, write books, be with the wife and kids and live a normal life. I have received tremendous support from my family. It means a lot.”

[story by Alex de Moller]

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Murderers, rapists and gun-toting maniacs, they make a night throwing TVs out of hotel windows look like a party at the Women's Institute. These are the people you really would not want to meet down a dark alley, just in case you got a Stratocaster wrapped around your head.

6. Jim Gordon

The former drummer of Derek and the Dominoes co-wrote Layla with Eric Clapton. He also murdered his mother in 1983 believing she was Satan (the one with horns, not Clapton). Thankfully, he is still locked up.

5. Spade Cooley

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3. Varg Vikernes

Norwegian Vikernes is described as 'the most notorious metal musician of all time'. And with good reason, the man behind black metal band Burzum was caged in 1993 for murdering Mayhem's Oystein Aarseth – a former associate. The reason behind the murder is still not clear. Before his spell in jail, he regularly enjoyed church burning. He is due for parole in April.

2.  Jah Cure

The baddest of all reggae stars, Cure was jailed in 1999 for 15 years after raping a woman at gunpoint. He has since been released but was refused entry into the UK last year due to his criminal conviction.

1. Leadbelly

The original bad boy, controversial Blues star Leadbelly spent most of life in and out of prison. He was first jailed as an unruly teenager in 1918 for assaulting 'a truculent Dallas prostitute'. It wasn't long before he was back in the clink, this time for gunning down one of his own relatives. He was given a 35 years, but was let out after just two – allegedly because the governor liked his music so much. But he was jailed again in 1930 – this time for assault with intent to murder – and then again in 1939 for assault.