1.Hello Nonoy how are things going with you these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
N: Hello Patrick! Thanks for this intie, I appreciate it. I am Nonoy Padrejuan axeman of the Philippines’ best kept secret PAGANFIRE. Nothing much is going on except that now I have full custody of my son which means there will be adjustments! Busy with the day job, more of 3rd world struggles actually and PAGANFIRE has put out tshirts and just played support for WARBRINGER last April 18, 2026. There are plans for a new demo and merch soon so keep an eye for that!
2.At what age did you first discover metal music and who were the first bands and artist that you listened to?What is it about the extreme side of Metal that drew you in and has kept you going all of these years?
N: I got forced listen to Metallica, Maiden and The Ramones when I was 8 and then when I turned 14 I was already into SLAYER, D.R.I., etc and from there the search for the fastest, loudest, heaviest, etc. band never ceased. The heaviness and aggression of the music is what drew me in, from the songs itself to the imagery and lyrical content and once I discovered it there was no turning back!
3.Who were the first bands and artists that caught your attention?Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?
N: The first bands that I actually listened to were of course Gnr, Metallica, Megadeth, etc, I mean who could hide from them during those times hahaha Right now I am listening to Dead Entity, Experiment in Fear (both local bands) and revisiting albums by Sadus, Rigor Mortis, Forbidden, Artillery, Onslaught etc.
4.Nonoy i believe you started Paganfire back in 1999 what gave you the idea to start this band? And how did you choose Paganfire as the name for this band?
N: The idea was to play Thrash metal the way it should be, since back then there were no more Thrash bands around so me and Jay decided to start our own (he had just left his prior bands during this time) It was only me and him at first playing Sodom and Slayer covers, then we met other guys and had line up revamps until we had Vro in 2002 and replaced axeman Rowell with M. A. in 2008. Our original bass/vocals Dennis thought of the name and we just decided to keep it.
5.Who would you say the bands biggest influences are and have they remained the same over the years?For the readers who may have missed your band how would you best describe Paganfire's music?
N: As a band we cite Venom, Mercyful Fate, Sodom, Kreator, Exodus, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Metallica as common references. Paganfire plays true underground thrashing metal not for mainstream ears. Some say we got hints of Black and Death metal in our sound, we say as long as it’s metal!!
6.Despotic Power is the latest EP. how long did it take the band to write the music for this release?Does the whole band take part in the writing or does one member usually write everything?
N: Yes this is correct, DP is our latest release and it features a new song and a pair of re-recordings done in true d.i.y. manner. Vro wrote all the stuff on this release. I am in a state of writer’s block and cannot function fully! Usually the songwriter presents the whole song to the band and if needed, the other members suggest ideas and we work it out from there.
7.I believe this is a digital only release are their any plans to do a physical release one day? Are the bands previous releases still availible for the readers to purchase? If yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase it?
N: We also have it on CDR format and some maniac from Sudamerica did the tape version. I would want to see it get rereleased in more territories so if anyone is interested just drop me a line and let’s work things out. I still have copies of the 2nd album again just let me know, other titles are carried by reliable distros from everywhere so you can also try your luck with them.
8.Have you all started writing music for the next release? Any idea how many songs will be on the next release?
N: At the moment we have 4 songs ready and wish to amend that in the next few days, the target is to do 4 more so we can have an album that would fit a C46 tape or be a 45rpm LP.
9.What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years? Who have been some of your favorite bands to share the stage with?What are some countries that you have had the opportunity to play in?
N: There is a lot of course, the shows with the most heckling and drunkards are all memorable to me. I am always honored to share the stage with fellow ANK bands: Corrupt Insanity and Sacrosanct. It is a true night of metal once this guys are on the bill. There is also a pair of bands whose members are young enough to be my kids, namely Filipino Toxic Youth and Youth Alteration, always fun when they are around. We have been to Malaysia thrice and to Singapore once, in the future we would want to play more neighboring countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China, etc. Organizers/Promoters be in touch!
10.Are their any shows or tours planned for 2026? If yes where will the band be performing?
N: As we speak there is none, a member is expecting his firstborn soon so we will be more selective with shows because of that. I plan to write a song or two during this time.
11.Paganfire comes out of the Philippines what is your opinion of the metal scene in the Philippines over the years?
N: It’s still the same. Bands, labels, zines, promoters etc. come and go. To me it’s more of a social scene than a metal one. Trends still dominate. I see no more diehards. To some this is OK but for me, I want more! More maniacs, more brash and loud bands, more drunks, more celebration of metal type shows, aaarrggghhh!!! But, alas it seems this is wishful thinking, what can I do? If this is the norm, so be it. I’d rather be in the sidelines, the limelight is all theirs.
12.Who are your all-time favorite bands that have come out of the Philippines ?Are their any new bands that you could recomend to the readers?
N: The world needs to hear all the glorious punk bands from the 80’s. Fellow maniacs Deiphago, Kratornas, Pathogen, Corrupt Insanity, Sacrosanct are all recommended along with the new blood of Filipino Toxic Youth and Youth Alteration.
13.Nonoy i know you have been in the underground since the mid 90's what was it that drew you to the more extreme music and what is it that has kept you here all these years?
N: As partly mentioned I was in the search for the loudest, fastest, craziest etc bands in existence and this lead me to this whole underground scene. The whole trading and network experience was very interesting to me. The music’s raw intensity and the integrity of the people behind it is also one thing. Why leave? I am here to stay, there is no turning back!
14.I am sure you read a lot of fanzines back in the day what were some of your favorite fanzines to read?What do you feel makes a good fanzine?Are their any current fanzines that you read? If yes please tell the readers a little about them.
N: I liked zines like The Grimoire of Exalted deeds for their dark humor, Metalcore for the metal, Necroscope for more ultrapacked metal, the band inties that are in the Eternal Darkness Creations catalogue, Temple of Adoration, Iron Hammer, Flo’s zine Dying Victims (?), Deadhead, Roy’s Underworld zine, Terror From Hell, Al Fahmi of Beast Petrify’s Abysmal Scriptures, all those batshit crazy zines from Chile, Peru and Brazil and tons more, from the Philippines it would be Underworld, Tripalium, In Dark Purity, Trident Nation and Vro’s Metal Havoc. Good fanzines are the ones with true passion and integrity, as hard it is to pinpoint you’ll know the feeling and magic is there once you have it on your hands. As for newer zines I was able to get Isolated, Black Pages and Nuclear Winter zine with NW being a huge overdose of metal!
15.Do you try to keep up with any web-zines if yes what are some of your favorites to read?
N: Sadly no. I haven’t been checking out any webzines lately and for that sin I am guilty. I still don’t have a PC hahaha and with all this shit happening I have to keep up with I barely have time to check webzines. Aaargghh!!!
16.When you need to take a break from working on band business or new music what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
N: I am preoccupied with my day job and the daily struggles of being alive in the 3rd world and I will be busy with my one and only son, major adjustments are coming but this doesn’t mean metal will be in the backburner. I will find ways to make it all coexist just like what true maniacs do. Onward to countless battles!
17.Thank you Nonoy for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
N: Thanks to you Patrick! It is an honor to do this!! I am hoping that I did your queries justice! If anyone finds anything said here of interest just reach out to me. Bands, zines, labels, organizers, maniacs etc. be in touch!!! No rip offs!! Kamatayan sa huwad na metal!!! Email: paganfire13@yahoo.com, soc med: paganfire.ph Paganfire https://paganfire-ph.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068124490026# https://www.instagram.com/paganfire.ph
