Burzum began in 1987 as a prominent Norwegian black metal solo project. It was formed by Varg Vikernes (born Kristian Vikernes), under the name of Count Grishnackh. Vikernes is currently serving a prison sentence in Norway for murder and arson. Vikernes, an extreme right-wing white supremacist and Odalist, was instrumental in the crystallisation of early black metal, much of which is due to the infamy attributed to Vikernes since the murder of his former band mate (Grishnackh played bass on one of Mayhem's albums) Øystein Aarseth.