Album review: Paganfire - Of Deathblades And Bloodsoaked Paths... (2021)

 

Paganfire – Of Deathblades And Bloodsoaked Paths...

The Philippines

Bandcamp

Thrash is definitely not dead, and Paganfire proves this with their latest opus, "Of Deathblades And Bloodsoaked Paths...", which is a total poser holocaust from beginning to end.

Over the years, the band has put out a dozen demos, EPs, and splits, but for some reason, this is only their second full-length. They are definitely an underground band in the true sense of the word.

Paganfire's brand of thrash is unyielding, brutal, and energetic, often defying easy categorization due to sounding rawer and more violent than most bands in the genre. Make no mistake, this is essentially thrash, but with more than a fair share of black/death influences in their sound.

As opener "Bloodsoaked Life" kicks in, guitarists Nonoy and M.A. complement each other with a plethora of cunt-shredding riffs, brutalizing ears with sheer ferocity and precise arrangements. Riffs are aplenty and Paganfire makes good use of them.

Alvaro's screams are fierce, pissed off, and in your face, as he utters every word with intense determination.

Paganfire follows the tradition of having solos in their music, as each track features at least one solo, but also inflicts trauma with Jay's hard-hitting, yet well-played drums and Alvaro's thunderous bass lines. As a whole, each member contributes to the madness, yielding a sickened and furious slab of skull-fucking thrash that will leave you wanting more.

On "Poseurdom Shall Fall" you can hear infernal riffs and screams reminiscent of Sarcofago, while "The Executor is Back" is a fiery track filled with razor-sharp solos and a Slayer-inspired riff towards the end.

The cover art is perfect for this kind of thrash and gives a good indication of the band's sound and ethos.

Paganfire's second album was well worth the wait and features some of the best material they've released so far. In my opinion, "Of Deathblades And Bloodsoaked Paths..." is the best thrash album of the year, and if not, it sure as hell comes close. Check them out if you enjoy Num Skull, Sarcofago, and Demolition Hammer. Apparently, a few labels will release this, although the labels haven't been announced yet. (HT)

ALBUM REVIEW: Paganfire - Wreaking Fear and Death (2013)

Paganfire - Wreaking Fear and Death (2013)

The Philippines

Anger of Metal Records / Bestial Invasion

A few dozen demos and splits later, these Quezon City-based maniacs finally release their debut album upon the filthy masses entitled, "Wreaking Fear and Death." The music can be described as Thrash Metal in the vein of early Sodom, Exodus and Sabbat. The Asian element is quite prominent, as some of their song titles and lyrics are in their native tongue. Often a lot of Thrash Metal bands end up sounding sterile and boring due to over-polished production, that's why Paganfire is a breathe of fresh air as they retain a considerably raw tone, yet all the instruments can be heard in the mix. I find the production rather appealing. There's some Black/Death elements lurking in their sound, like the Necrovore-ish riffs on opener, "Bakal sa Bakal, Laman sa Laman" coupled with the general Mayhem-esque (Deathcrush era) buzz-tone of the guitars. Paganfire's sound will certainly find its appeal among the true metal legions and comes recommended to fans of bands (most notably their early works) such as Demolition Hammer, Mayhem, Exodus, Order From Chaos, Sodom, Sepultura, etc. Paganfire is like the drunkin' offspring of the aforementioned bands. This is not sheltered pseudo thrash with songs about the local pizza scene. Nope. This is raw, violent and uncompromising Thrash Metal that will surely send the hippies packing. (HT)

INTERVIEW: PAGANFIRE (2018)

The Filipino thrash squad known as Paganfire have been stomping poser skulls and catalyzing riots ever since their bloody inception in 2003. I caught up with the infamous Nonoy (Guitarist/vocalist) to try and figure out what goes on in that mad brain of his. Read forth!

Hails Nonoy!!! I'm sure you've done this a million times before, but for the sake of our readers, please give us a some background on Paganfire's history and tell us what the band is all about - your sound, influences, etc.

N: Hails Jim!!! PAGANFIRE have been thrashing since 1999, but in 2002 we had major revamps in our ranks which saw us do the demos and studio fiascos, we have released our debut album back in 2013 and is hopefully still making rounds nowadays, we play true underground thrashing metal, no trendy shit!! We are into most 80’s thrash metal bands and some other genres but most of the time we do not check out erstwhile “modern” bands and albums.

Can you tell us a little about your lyrics and where you draw your inspiration from? What kind of feeling do you wish to transmit through your music? 

N: Our lyrics are about arson, violence, cannibals, poseur eradication, serial killers, religion, the cosmos and beyond, etc., etc. No specific feeling but we would want to melt people’s faces with our material on and off the stage.

What can you tell us about the scene in Quezon City? Do you have much of a following? And how is the reception to local gigs?

N: There is no Quezon City scene or Philippine scene for that matter, or if there is one it’s totally shitty, everyone is just trying outplay everyone and to impress each other, haha. In the end, it’s a competition of shitheads, trendsucking rip offs. As far as we are concerned, we walk our own path and it’s either you are with us or against us. No grey areas!

What can you tell us about the recording/reception/format (etc.) of Paganfire's last album, "Wreaking Fear and Death"? 

N: I am honored that a few metal maniac labels picked it up and thus making it available on all formats, and I am glad that most of the time, the true underground metal maniacs realize it for what it is, and treat it is an underground gem.

Who did the killer artwork for "Wreaking Fear and Death" and how did you hook up with the artist?  

N: He is NORMAN TRINIDAD of KAMBING and TRIDENT NATION 'zine fame! His artwork speaks for itself!! They reek of true metaldom! Not trendy and standard takes on all things metal, his art used on every PAGANFIRE release is representative of the sound: raw, violent, brash and most of all METAL!!

Are there any local music stores over there where you can obtain good metal? Also, what was the last album you bought?

N: NONE. Most people get their metal fix from other people who order stuff from abroad then sell it online, practically it’s a very small community of people buying and selling from each other, no shops to go to regularly where you can pick up Sarcofago or even Slayer’s old albums on a regular basis, I have traded some titles lately but most of them are “standard” thrash metal albums, some notable stuff I caught is the reissue of MUTILATOR – IMMORTAL FORCE and the forgotten RIGOR MORTIS – FREAKS cd’s and yeah I also have the MUTILATOR dvd from Peru.

You've done many splits, but I'm particularly interested in how the split with Nunslaughter came about - also, what are your thoughts regarding the unfortunate passing of Jim Sadist?

N: It took but a couple of years before it finally materialized as NUNSLAUGHTER’s release schedule is always busy!! I just kept in touch with Don until the earth cracked in half and spew out this monstrosity of a split!! I have never been in touch with Jim, but of course when someone of your kind passes away it is sad, but Jim left behind a true legacy based on his music and his friends, all I can say is he is gone but will never be forgotten.

You have a very extensive discography with many demos, splits and EPs - what are the releases you're most proud of? Which particular Paganfire release would you suggest as a "starting point" for someone new to your music? 

N: That’s a hard one, but for me ALL of them are my favorites as each reflects the true underground spirit, from the most D.I.Y. to the extravagant pro releases, each of them are products of hard work and trust, which is slowly dying away in the underground scene wherein everyone just wants to be the next flavor of the month and people measure their credibility with the number of “likes” on their profiles and update us with the food they eat rather than the true stuff that matters!! Their songs and their god damn attitude!!! A place to start with PAGANFIRE should always be the 2004 demo, if you can realize it for what it is, then you will definitely sink your teeth on the rest!! If not, then go the fuck away and look for the next trend that will suit you.

Besides making people deaf with your music, what do you do to relax? Are there any cool places in your City to venture to in case you feel the need to "escape" from the masses of shitheads?

N: I can relax anywhere, just leave me alone and don’t bother me hahaha, I can sit down gobble up some beers by myself and I will be OK, BUT I also prefer to travel, specially going to my hometown, reconnect with friends and relatives, go for a swim (or in my case a dip), binge drink etc., etc. or just go out and eat with the missus and offspring, there is just not so much to do to escape in this 3rd world hellhole, ONLY THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE!

Does the members in Paganfire consume copious amounts of goat piss whilst chanting the hymns of Manggagaway during rehearsals?

N: Goat piss and pig’s blood with meat from the carcasses whilst the rambling of a thousand ogres on through the night!!!!!!!

I demand to know your all-time favorite bands, including a list of 10 albums that are so important to you, that you would simply cease to exist without them. 

N: METALLICA – RIDE THE LIGHTNING, SLAYER – HAUNTING THE CHAPEL, HOLY TERROR – MIND WARS, DEMOLITION HAMMER – TORTURED EXISTENCE, RIGOR MORTIS – S/T, ORDER FROM CHAOS – AN ENDING IN FIRE, SODOM – OBSESSED BY CRUELTY, KREATOR – TERRIBLE CERTAINTY, SEPULTURA – MORBID VISIONS, and INFERNAL MAJESTY – NONE SHALL DEFY pretty much standard fare eh? There are tons of favorites bands, what comes to mind are VIO-LENCE, FORBIDDEN, SADUS, DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, SARCOFAGO, MUTILATOR, PROTECTOR, DEATH ANGEL, DISSECTION, DARK ANGEL, CANCER, DESTRUCTION, HOLY MOSES, ONSLAUGHT, DEATHWISH, POSSESSED, EXODUS, SABBAT (japan and UK) etc., etc.

What's next for Paganfire? Will you eventually pass the fire onto your younglings, so that they may continue the legacy of the Pagancult whilst you slaughter the poser angels in the morbid afterlife?

N: Next is the release of the new 2 track demo, and the start of making the 2nd album, I would be glad if my boys pick up instruments and start a band, but I won’t make them either, it’s their choice, it’s their lives anyway, if they don’t do that I won’t encourage them either, to be honest I don’t look forward to any afterlife, we are all worm food when we go. To die is to rest but METAL is the best!!!!

Thanks for filling the blanks, mate!!! Good luck for the future and keep spreading the antichristian terror!!! 

N: Thanks goes to you as well mate!! I am glad that you still do interviews and reviews, always remember that you are the one and only maniac from South Africa that I know, from the good old snail mail days to nowadays FB networks hahaha yes we will keep that in mind, and as we say TULOY ANG LABAN AT WALANG ATRASAN!!!  Interested maniacs keep in touch: paganfire13@yahoo.com, argh!!! KAMATAYAN SA HUWAD NA METAL!!!!!

Release details:

Vinyl – Anger of Metal Records (Germany)

CD – Bestial Invasion (UK)

Tape – Mandarangan (USA), Afterlife Prods (Malaysia), Eternal Darkness Creations (USA)

Cai Cai Vilu (Chile)

Contact the band at: paganfire13@yahoo.com