Articulo Mortis: Interview with Elf Eggs (USA) (ENG)

Hi! Please introduce yourself to the readers and tell us a bit about yourself.

Infernal and impure greetings and thanks to Articulo Mortis and the legions of maniac readers. I am E of the Elf Eggs label spreading audial chaos blasphemy and hopelessness among those true adherents of raw evil art.

You are a member of numerous bands, in fact, you are the sole member of almost all of them. How did that come about?

In winter MMXXII the foul and bestial aspect of man began to express through me. This manifested as an unquenchable thirst to create artifacts of worship, to make tangible some aspect of this forsaken soul and its reflection of the shadow archetype before the flesh decays. The multi-person projects usually come about is a result of my tireless obsess with tape trading. The graven idols come and go, but the eternal black flame always shines through…

How did these projects form? What was driving you at the time?

I was driven by a combination of freedom and scorn - freedom to create what the devotion called me to, and scorn for anyone who would look upon it. The worship was stronger than the desire to do it "properly", by finding collaborators or learning the tools. Those things come with time, but one must heed the call of inspirtion when it's heard.

What do names like Vëřťžîmbrÿġțžûmşțřě and Zkywbrezdreb mean?

Invocations of the unknowable! True names of higher beings! Utterances in the black tongue beyond death! The foundational truth of chaos and Entropy, as the human species reaches its denoument, whispered through catacombs! Sigils in letter form!

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

S Craig Zahler, Lovecraft, Ildjarn, David Lynch, Dark Souls…. when I commune with the work of masters and monsters, the black flame of creativity is stoked. I am motivated by the knowledge that all people have the capacity to create worthwhile art, and yet time is short…

How do you go about making music? What does your creative process and the final recording stage look like?

The process and tools change constantly, as comfort leads to stagnation and falsehood. Some phases of time are focused on fully analog 4-track productions and total DIY duplication. Other moments look to modern tools and fancy plugins. These methods are mixed in arbitrary combinations, the blasphemous results observed, and the research continues toward more perfected death worship.

What are your thoughts on VST plugins? How appropriate are they, and can they really replace analog effects pedals and amplifiers in general?

Modern computers can copy sounds from analog circuits almost perfectly, I challenge anyone to gouge out their own eyes and listen for the difference. However, with infinite options the creativity instinct dilutes and spreads thin. The limitation imposed by physical tools breeds inventiveness. Mathematical randomness makes plugins sound quite realistic, but it does not replace the chaotic unpredict of the physical medium.

How do you usually come up with the artwork for your releases?

The art that I make for releases is bleak collage. Without much drawing practice this is the best way for me to craft worship objects suitable for the devotional task. The elements used in a collage often appear on whims and only fit into place much later. Anything that reflects malice, rottenness, and humanicide. I practice drawing infernal band logos sometimes, and most of the logos for my projects are my own creations.

Tell us about your background as much as you feel comfortable sharing. What was the turning point that made you who you are today?

The turn toward art in mmy adult life happened after the collapse of multiple sources of belonging that had sustained me for more than a decade. That was a period of profound spiritual barrenness with by my full-time employment by a large company in a knowledge profession. Creation provided nourishment of the soul starved by crushing capitalist reality. I started with abstract and experiential painting. A few chance encounters with music and musicians pushed me to disinter my skills of audial desecration, which despite study throughout my entire adolescence had moldered for decade.

What is your take on live gigs? Not just your own music, but events in general do you attend any?

A rock & roll concert is unmediated communion with the unseen forces and one of the few redeeming qualities of life on this wretched planet. Playing on stage is one of the purest rituals of communal worship. I have no interest in playing my own music live, but I enjoy playing in other Black Metal bands (for instance BRONZE EAGLE with whom I play bass). I used to go to a lot of live shows, usually of big touring metal bands, but my descent underground has coincided with a decrease in such outings.

What can you say about the Black Metal/Punk subgenre and its recent rise in popularity? What do you think is driving this trend?

Simple primitive music is closer to the source. The sort of thing that anyone could make, but few actually do it. In such cases something contained within is needing badly to escape, often a shadow emotion, anger, scorn, hate, sorrow. Maybe its popularity owes to such feelings shared among thousands. This is only why I create works that may be categorized as such, not for acceptance from adherents of a trend.

Tell us the story of Elf Eggs label how did it form?

Elf Eggs is a banner under which I can explore various ideas and execute physical releases without requiring the approvals of other labels, who for the most part don't understand these creations. It formed when I created the first TSELECH demo tape after three ASIRATIC LITHOMANCY demos. The label provides a covenant thread visible across a multitude of musical projects and ideas, for those who care to seek it. Still, the earliest releases were all quite tiny and quietly left on the shelves of local record stores, to be discovered one day by only the truest maniacs.

What is depicted here?

A Caged Elf, wrong may she lay.

Tell us about microreleases for example, the 12 copies of Gale of Encryption. How? What? And why?​

Gale Of Encryption was complete DIY, no learning and no craft, just raw unpolished creation. There was something inside that needed to escape, in a moment of pure invention that can never be perfectly recaptured. The music is not for anyone else anyway, no copies need to be made. Those who seek with dedication are rewarded. Sometimes chance and circumstances combine to make larger releases make sense, sometimes not.

What is the current state of the American Black Metal scene?

There is immense energy being expended by a small group of devoted worshippers of Black Metal. Those motivated not by selling records but by true adherence to their vision, however orthodox or otherwise it may be. The work of prolific lifelong adherents to this art provide an incredible source if inspiration for for me. There is also a huge amount of falsity, pandering, and silliness - thankfully this is easily ignored and not worth a second thought. Even a bit of black humor sometimes conveys most effectively the triviality of worthless human concerns.

Are there any labels whose activities you follow regularly?

56bile's work from Alberta displays an admirable and masterful pursuit of raw creativity. I'm in a band INSANITY RUNE with the individual behind this label. Eye Of Rot from the USA has an unbelievable clarity of vision and ability to execute on it. Murder On Ponce has kept a keen ear to the American underground for some time now. Also worth mentioning the late Vile Reliquary, a short-lived but exceptional tape label from Pennsylvania.

All the music in the world has deleted. Only one band remains. Which one, and why?

This is a truly impossible question! Let Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band survive the deletion of all groups that take themselves far too seriously. His direct and unfiltered creation unconcerned with trivialities such as theory or genre reflecting universal entropy. "Making music is like going to the bathroom...not something I want to look back on".

How serious is the issue of state surveillance of ordinary citizens?

Unbelievably serious, and truly a sign of impending collapse. A grasp at control from a waning empire, which will trigger untold human suffering. But the timeless unfeeling cosmos cares not and even the aggrieved planet will soon swallow whole this pitiful species.

Is the day of the harvest near?

The earth will not suffer humans to defile her much longer. "I dream of a day when they may rise above the billows to drag down in their reeking talons the remnants of puny, war-exhausted mankind -- of a day when the land shall sink, and the dark ocean floor shall ascend amidst universal pandemonium."

Thanks for the answers. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

Hail Articulo Mortis! Hail Primitive Devil Worship! Long live nothing! Fuck you!

---

September 2026

Interview for Articulo Mortis

Out now! Malefikvs "Lunar Void" demo 2026

A black spirit, forged from the primitive threads of ancient sorcery, swoops through the damp and gloomy forests of Ingria. The scent of peat and swamps echoes with the cry of an owl and the millions of creaks of mysterious groves. The moon shoots its cold rays, illuminating the night forest for a moment. It is a witch's endless night, a mad dance over the bones of the past, promising only a life leading to the tomb.

MALEFIKVS - "Lunar Void"

Professionally duplicated CD & presented in a hard Digifile.

Limitied edition to 99 copies. Pro-CDR.

Articulo Mortis: Interview with Nordths (Chile) (ENG)

Band: Nordths Country: Chile Genre: Black/Death Metal

Tell us a little about your band. When and how did you form? Who are the members?

Nordths was formed around 2019, although its roots go much further back. Before Nordths, there were several unsuccessful attempts to establish a stable project. One of them was Mordtoh, which managed to play only one show before disappearing. Over time, the project evolved into NourD and eventually became Nordths.

The name itself emerged quite spontaneously during a conversation with our friends Tom and Frank from Sodom. We were drinking beers, smoking red Lucky Strikes and talking about music and what we wanted to do with the project. At some point, Nordths came up, and the name simply stayed. Some decisions don't really need a complicated explanation.

Today, the core of Nordths consists of Jeysson Reveco on guitar and myself, Bruno, on vocals. Jeysson is also my twin brother and has been fundamental to the musical development of the project from its earliest days. For certain recordings and live performances, we work with session musicians.

I don't consider Nordths to be the result of one person's work. It is a shared construction, and Jeysson has been an essential part of it.

What do you see as the meaning of your existence as a band? What is your goal?

Nordths is an exploration of death, consciousness, dreams, mental decay and whatever may exist beyond our perception.

We are not interested in providing answers. We prefer to construct questions and atmospheres.

Our goal is to develop our own identity within extreme music and create works that can be experienced as something more than a collection of songs.

At the moment, we are working on our first full-length album, Death Fog, which represents precisely that direction.

The concept of the album revolves around the journey of the soul after death: a passage into unknown territory, where certainty disappears and only the fog remains.

What is your ideological background? Are you religious or atheistic? What are your views on the subtle plane of existence?

I don't think Nordths needs to be placed within a specific religious category.

There is a deep interest in spiritual matters, but not from a doctrinal perspective. I am interested in death, dreams, consciousness and the possibility that our existence does not necessarily end with what we are physically capable of perceiving.

The subtle plane, to me, belongs precisely to that unknown territory.

I don't claim to know what exists after death. Nobody can speak with absolute certainty about something like that. What we can do is explore the uncertainty.

That uncertainty is one of the foundations of Death Fog.

You recently released a new single. How did the song come together? Was it carefully composed or more of an emotional release?

Both.

A composition can begin with a riff, an atmosphere or simply a feeling. Then comes the process of construction, where that initial idea becomes a complete song.

Jeysson and I work very closely together. There is a natural communication between us, probably also because we are brothers and twins, but that doesn't mean everything happens spontaneously. There is a great deal of work behind every composition.

We try to maintain a balance between structure and spontaneity.

Emotion starts the process; composition gives it form.

I would especially like to highlight your riffing on "Infernal Delirium of the North." It's unhealthy and definitely evil, reminiscent of the echoes of psychological illness. What inspired it?

The intention was precisely to create a sense of deterioration.

Infernal Delirium of the North is built around the idea of a mind beginning to lose the boundaries between reality, delirium and perception.

I didn't want the riffs to simply be aggressive. I wanted them to be uncomfortable. There had to be something dysfunctional about them, as if the music itself were being affected by what it was trying to represent.

For me, a good riff in extreme music needs to have personality. It isn't enough for it to be fast or heavy. It has to provoke a reaction.

How important is the visual component to you? What does the cover represent, and how was it created?

The visual aspect is fundamental to Nordths.

I personally create our covers and much of the band's visual material. Many of the images originate from dreams I've had, which I later try to materialize.

The cover of Infernal Delirium of the North came from one of those dreams.

In the dream, there was a skull and a mirror. The mirror descended and showed the face of Christ. The image was accompanied by one very specific idea: death.

I am not interested in using that image as a conventional religious statement. I see it as a symbolic representation of the encounter between humanity, death, faith and that which we cannot understand.

With Death Fog, we are developing this visual language even further. The album represents the journey of the soul after death and its transition toward whatever exists beyond our known reality.

How would you describe the underground scene in Chile? Have you received much support from it?

It would be dishonest to say that we have received a great deal of support from the Chilean scene.

We have had loyal followers who have remained with us, and we value their support enormously, but Nordths has not had a major support structure within our own country.

With time, you learn to accept these circumstances.

Perhaps that is also part of what the underground is about: finding your own path when your immediate surroundings don't necessarily respond to what you are doing.

I have no interest in turning that into a dispute. We simply continue working.

And perhaps that is precisely why we are looking elsewhere.

Which Latin American country do you consider the most active in terms of underground activity?

Peru is one of the places that interests us most at the moment.

There is a very strong connection with extreme music and an audience that seems to have a genuinely deep relationship with the underground.

One of our goals is to undertake a small tour through Peru and then explore other possibilities throughout South America.

There are also very important scenes in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. Latin America has a significant history within extreme music and continues to produce interesting projects.

What are your plans for the future?

Our absolute priority is to finish Death Fog.

It will be our first full-length album, and we want it to function as a complete work, both musically and conceptually.

After that, we want to undertake a small tour through Peru and South America. We are also working toward bringing Nordths to the United States next year.

We have begun working with session musicians to expand our possibilities for live performances and to continue developing the project beyond Chile.

We have no intention of rushing the process. We would rather build something solid and then take it wherever it belongs.

Which bands have influenced you the most? Why them and not others?

Our influences are quite diverse.

Among the bands that have had the greatest impact on our vision are KISS, Troll, Kovenant, Ljå and Godkiller, along with many other bands that have been part of our musical journey.

What interests me about these bands is not only their music, but the identity they built around it.

A truly important influence isn't necessarily a band whose riffs you copy. It is a band that shows you that you can construct a universe of your own.

That is what we are trying to do with Nordths.

Finally, is there anything you would like to say to those reading this interview?

Don't expect to find definitive answers in our music.

Nordths is about what remains after the answers disappear: death, consciousness, dreams, decay and the unknown.

We are currently building Death Fog, our first full-length album, and for us it represents the beginning of a different stage.

I also want to acknowledge Jeysson's contribution, because Nordths would not have reached this point in the same way without him. We have been building the same vision together for years, and that continuity is important to the project.

To those who have followed us from the beginning, thank you.

And to those discovering Nordths for the first time, simply listen to the album when the time comes.

Death Fog is a journey.

We don't know what lies beyond the fog.

---

August 2026

Interview for Articulo Mortis

Articulo mortis zine #2

Articulo mortis zine #2

This is in preparation and will be released by the end of the year 2026, featuring new material and material published on the our site over the past two years.

Therefore, you have the opportunity to participate in this issue.

We are looking for: bands, labels / distros & artists.

We are collecting: news and interviews. No reviews.

If you are interested, send us a press kit, which will include: biography, photos, logo, release information, promotional materials, & any other materials you deem appropriate.

Contact: def.north [at] gmail [dot] com

Обновление каталога дистро 15/08/2026

• T.H.R.O.N. " Here Lies Paganism" [Der Schwarze Tod/Unholy Dark Castle] - CD
• T.H.R.O.N. "Throne Will Be Ours" [Der Schwarze Tod/Unholy Dark Castle] - CD
• T.H.R.O.N. "Seductions of the Unbaptized Darkness" [Der Schwarze Tod/Unholy Dark Castle] - CD
• Пламень "Гимны черной энергии" [Thou Shalt Kill! Records] - A5 Digipak
• Noctivagum "De Arcanis et Ritibus Sulphuris" [Independent] - Digipak

Teufelsdom - 2026 - patches

TEUFELSDOM patches with sigil. 9.5 cm in diameter, purple base with black embroidery.

Hand-numbered, limited edition of 50 copies.

Articulo Mortis: Interview with Salien (United States) (ENG)

Band: Salien Country: United States Genre: Black Metal

Salve! Introduce yourself.

Hail! I am SALIEN. On man, bleak, raw, black metal project. Focused on bringing to light the destructive nature of the three major Desert Death Cults. As well as creating a space for the constant screaming/noise in my head. Think of black metal as a frequency to cancel out said screaming.

Tell us a little about your background? Where did you come from and where are you going?

I come from the desert of the southwest United States. I came from here and will probably stay here. Ive been to many places. Living anywhere brings its own sets of problems. I know the problems here.

Will there be a sequel?

Absolutely! I am working on something currently. The plan is to release by the end of the year. This is my outlet. I will make this music until my fingers can no longer play guitar. Then I will make dungeon synth I suppose. Until the day I die.

What are your thoughts on people/crowds?

Not much for people. I spend most of my time outside of my job, in isolation. I do not enjoy the interactions of people really. I don’t understand sports, clubs, going out. In my youth I developed terrible habits to fit in. I know the error of my ways.

About religion and its influence on humanity?

Destructive as I mentioned before, to the unique black flame that we all carry. I do not believe super-rational concepts should be taught to anyone under the age of 18. Our brains aren’t fully developed until we are 25. Susceptible to influence. I spent the first 18 years of my life shackled to Mormonism. I know what control is.

What do you think of the Devil?

I identified with LaVeyan satanism for a long time. Theres nowhere to go. Modern Luciferianism has caught my eye. The concept of Apotheosis, becoming. Breaking the bonds of this prison we call reality.

What is Salien?

It is short for satansalien. I was a DJ in my youth, with that moniker salien. Its been a part of my musical identity for a long time. I intend on running with it.

Are there any concerts?

Currently no. I wrote and recorded all the music myself. I have not ventured out to find any musicians to help with it. Honestly it wasn’t a thought when I made the music. It was all an outlet for the screaming in my head. I wouldn’t mind playing live, with the right people.

Did you record the demo in a creative impulse or was it a planned effort?

Both actually. I decided about 3 years ago I was going to do this. I kept practicing and working on things, saying I wasn’t ready. Then I just decided to learn as I write. So this is a pseudo planned idea that was thrust forward with raw creativity.

Tell us about the content of the songs, because given the limited run and the lack of publicly available lyrics, it can only be judged by the track titles.

Despair. Rage. Pain. Loss. I never really thought about making the lyrics public. This was an exercise for me. There are some lyrics published on the special insert of my physical demo CD. Go to band camp for that one.

What about the new ones? (Decay of Ancient Orders)

Not sure what is meant or how to answer this question.

What things inspire you? (Books, music, films, etc.)

Horror movies. Slow burn kind of stuff. Lavey’s works. Micheal Fords. Currently reading through some luciferian books.

I like black metal. Most of it. Symphonic and melodic not so much but still do. I avoid most other music. Maybe The Cure if im in a mood.

What irritates you?

Humanity. I’m tired of this rat race of self absorbed know it all humans. Let me be my own weird self away from it all.

Any final words for those who have read your?

All hails to those who have listened to my music. I never was expecting anything close to the reception I have received. Ave Satanas.

---

August 2026

Interview for Articulo Mortis

Out now! Teufelsdom "Стирая знаки" demo 2026

Мы здесь поживем ещё день
Посмотрим на звёздное небо
Стирая знаки, стирая знаки, стирая знаки...

Articulo Mortis: Interview with Noctivagum (Italy/Germany) (ENG)

Band: Noctivagum Country: Italy/Germany Genre: Black Metal

Ave! Tell us about your band Noctivagum, how and where it was formed? I see in metal archives that the band is positioned as an international Italian/German band. How did that happen?

Hello, i am D.

founder and Drummer of Noctivagum.

I formed the band in March 2025, after a long break from music due to work and other wordly stuff.I found my friend and guitarist Lightning short after i got the idea for the band, and immediately started rehersing and composing material.It was a very primitive and instinctive approach, as black metal should be and in only 7 months, i recorded at home all the instruments and sent the material to Wolf in Italy(founder of Gort, Vita Odiosa,Nefastus Sanguis, and many more).He then did the vocals(i still write all the lyrics and concepts behind the band), mixed and mastered the final product.

A short after the release of our debut EP, Einherjar Ingvar(Gort,Nigra Mors, and more) joined as second guitarist and bass player.

Now the band is complete, and we will soon release our new Full Lenght album, so stay tuned for more infos about that.

What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Noctivagum?

The name came into my mind during the night, and i wanted something that has a Latin meaning too, so i took this name for my band.

It means an entity or being roaming the night, and it represents perfectly what Noctivagum is and sounds like.

What about the ideological underpinnings? What are your underlying beliefs behind Noctivagum?

I am constantly studying, researching and learning about Esoterism, in many forms and from different cultures, but mainly Noctivagum is a band that is intended to take the listener on an initiatory, esoteric journey into the Higher Self. And possibly Beyond.

You recently released your debut EP and single. How did you end up with As Pestis Records? As far as I understand, your EP was the label's first physical release.

I personally did everything concerning the production, also physical of the copies, through a factory of trust. As Pestis Records helped us with some promotion on their channel, but did not release our EP. The EP is Self Produced by Noctivagum.

Tell us about your creative process, how did you create your works? Who wrote the music and lyrics?

I personally write all the lyrics.I take time and deep dive into certain topics in order to write lyrics that matches and are coherent with the music.

The process of writing music is, in contrast to the lyric writing, very instinctive, and starts usually with me having some riff in my mind,meeting up with Lightning at my homestudio and recording some demo version. Then i send all over to Einherjar, who takes care of fleshing out the ideas and adding further harmonies and second guitar parts; from there, we proceed step by step until the track is finished with drums bass and vocals.

So far you have recorded an EP can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

As i mentioned before, the creative process was very instinctive.Since Lightning is much younger than me and less experienced in the black metal genre, I brought my twenty years of listening experience and fifteen years of drumming along with the resulting ideas and influences to the table.

He responded very well to my inputs, bringing his own background in heavy and death metal; the result is a blend that is raw yet internally consistent, and in my opinion highly distinctive.

Wolf rounded it all off with his vocals-pure 90s Black Metal and a production style that is raw yet powerful and balanced.

What can you say about the choice of cover artwork?

I wanted something that was in tune with the lyrical themes and the music, so this engraving called "Knight, Death and the Devil" from the master Albrecht Dürer (1514) was for me the perfect match. It has been used already by bands such as Abigor in 1999, but our intention behind the choice i probably different.

What are your plans for the band? Are there any live planned? New recordings?

Noctivagum is born ,and probably will stay, a Studio project only. Due to the distance between the band members (2 in germany 2 in Italy), we will maybe in the future think about doing only a few selected gigs a year.

The upcoming album is 9 tracks Full Lenght, coming the end of this year if everything goes as planned.I wont reveal more, follow us on Instagram and Facebook to learn about the updates.

What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I consume tons and tons of albums a month, so my influence are too much to be named i think.. but mostly bands from my homeland, Italy, were black metal assume a warmer and different sound compared to the classic Norwegian style, which of course is also a big inspiration,togheter as Finnish, French and Greek black metal.

Thanks for the answers. Any final words for the readers?

Stay tuned for more musi, we just released a Sargeist cover recently, have a listen. And there are few copies left from the Ep, as well as patches, so if u want to support us, u can buy our music and merch and thanks to all the readers/listeners.

---

July 2026

Interview for Articulo Mortis

Обновление каталога дистро 01/05/2026

• Ereth "Solus Ipse Sum" [Опричь] CD
• Evilwinged "Avatars of Satan" [Опричь] Digipak CD
• Можде "Можде" [Опричь] Cardboard box CD
• Fullmoon Rise "The End of Life's Ages" [Опричь] CD

Out now! Teufelsdom II [PDW] 2026

Teufelsdom II tapes is limited to 100 copies, including 20 copies of the Die Hard version. Released by Primitive Devil Worship on April 20th, 2026.

The expanded edition includes:

a wooden box with an inscribed sigil, a white pro-tape with the album, an 80-page A5-size booklet (with lyrics, artworks, an interview with the band by Utopia Platafórmica, Portugal, 2026, and numerous photos taken by the band between 2023 and 2026), black sealed envelope, two buttons, and a sigil-shaped pendant.

Quantity is limited; only a few copies remain. Die Hard version is only available on Primitive Devil Worship store.

Release announcement: Teufelsdom "Teufelsdom II" tape

Teufelsdom II

Pro-copied white MC + 3 panel J-card, limited to 100 copies

Of these, 20 copies are the Die Hard edition.

Wooden cassette box containing: a wood-burned, stained, and varnished box, a tape, two buttons, a sigil pendant, and an 80-page A5 booklet featuring numerous unpublished photographs, lyrics, drawings, and an interview with the band (by Utopia Platafórmica, Portugal, 2026).

20/04/2026

Articulo Mortis: Interview with Bronze Hall (Finland) (ENG)

Band: Bronze Hall Country: Finland Genre: Black/Viking Metal

Hey, how are you? Bronze Hall is a new name on the scene, so I thought it would be helpful if you could tell our readers and potential listeners a little about your band, how it came to be, and what its goals are.

Bronze Hall came to be from the desire to create epic and grand metal while retaining rawness and heaviness. In the two albums I have made in the span of a few years it has evolved but kept true to the original vision, and I plan to continue so.

I've heard your debut album before, but I can say that the second one, Embers of the Dawn, sounds much more composed and mature. It also sounds like the illegitimate child of Bathory and Falkenbach, but with its own character. Tell us about the writing process for these two albums, what changed, and generally about your thoughts and feelings during this period.

The first album was very easy for me to write. Both of them were written very intuitively and with relative ease. The difference in the writing process for Honor & Steel and Embers of the Dawn, is that in the first album I was experimenting more with the style and finding footing, whereas now I have a framework that I am working in. When writing Embers of the Dawn I wanted to make the atmosphere more dark, brooding and heavy while keeping the grandeur and melody. I also wanted to shift to a more natural and acoustic sound. That was achieved by adding more acoustic guitars and dialing down the synths.

As far as I understand, you're the only one in the group? How does the creative process go? Did you need help from others at different stages? Or did you manage to do everything yourself?

For Bronze Hall I am operating musically by myself. The only part where I have had help is in the album artworks. The mighty Magus of Kaikkivaltias has helped me encapsulate the essence of both albums to a visual medium. He did the center image for Honor & Steel with my guidance, and took the photograph for Embers of the Dawn cover.

Where does the inspiration for the lyrics come from? Are they references to something specific, perhaps a literary work, or are they "heroic" patterns meant to support the mood of the music?

They are not directly from any one literary work or history. They are universal and primal themes that support the music. Heroic themes are of course very common. I have very vivid imagery in mind when writing Bronze Hall. I try to put that imagery to words when writing the lyrics to support the song.

Do you consider your music suitable only for personal listening? Or are you planning to assemble a live band and begin touring?

I cannot imagine Bronze Hall playing live. It’s not in the nature of this project. The atmosphere would be totally lost.

Where did you record this album, Embers of the Dawn? Did anything strange happen during the recording that we should know about?

Nothing special to comment about the recording process. Everything went smoothly as planned. The album was recorded at the secret Hellcavern studios exclusive to Forest Gloom.

What are your main goals, aspirations, ambitions, both on a personal and professional level?

The only ambition for Bronze Hall is that I take it as far as it can go musically. Everything is done on the terms of the music. I am working on a third album but this time the gap will most likely be longer.

Do you pay attention to the new albums that have been released recently? Are there any that particularly stand out?

I am very bad at keeping up with new music, however there have been few ones that caught my eye, like the debut album by Black Hurst. And of course, the new Darkthrone track absolutely kills.

Are there any albums in your collection that might surprise some of your fans? What kind of music do you like to listen to in your free time?

I do listen to a wide array of different music styles like most other people, but most of it is still metal and rock. I can’t really think of any album that would be surprising for me to have.

What can you say about metal in Finland? Has anything changed in the last 10 years?

I have no idea if it has changed in the last 10 years. I guess it’s more popular. Finland has some legendary bands, but I don’t think being from Finland is a stamp of quality like it feels some people think it is.

Thank you for your time! The last words are yours…

Thanks for the interview and thanks to everyone who has supported Bronze Hall, Forest Gloom or one of my projects.

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April 2026

Interview for Articulo Mortis

Out now! Malefikvs \ Оторопь (split) [PDW] 2026

Malefikvs / Оторопь (split) [PDW] 2026

Side A

• An Arrow
• Death

Side B

• I
• II

To order: def.north@gmail.com

Обновление каталога дистро 20/02/2026

 

• Novem "Hellmouth" [Deus Vult] - MC - 2026
• Winter Majesty "Unholy Glory of Ancient Rossa" [Некролог] - Digipak CD - 2008/2026

Анонс релиза MALEFIKVS \ ОТОРОПЬ "Split 2026"

Articulo Mortis: Interview with Paganfire (Philippines) (ENG)

Band: Paganfire Country: Philippines Genre: Black/Thrash Metal

Hello! How are you? Introduce yourself and your entire devilish brigade!

N: greetings! This is Nonoy Padrejuan axe wielder of the Philippines’ best kept secret PAGANFIRE, aside from me the band lineup is: Vro – bass/vox, M.A. – axe, Jay – drums. We play true thrashing metal that will never bow to trends and will never be cool to poser ears!!

Let's start with your introduction to heavy music. Which bands hooked you?

N: A lot of bands hooked me and to mention ‘em all will be boring, argh!! But as for the band we all dig Venom, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Slayer, Sodom, Kreator, Demolition Hammer, Order from Chaos and Holy Terror to name a few.

How did you start playing music? How did you guys meet?

N: I started playing the guitar at the age of 13, but to this day I still don’t know how! Jay’s wife is my cousin so long before PAGANFIRE we already know each other and we always listen to his Thrash metal tapes in his car! I met Alvaro via correspondence as we both edit zines, and then some time later I ran some ads for guitarist and bass positions, M. A. auditioned and Vro did too, and the rest as they say is history.

What is Paganfire? Tell us about the band.

N: Paganfire is Manila’s best kept secret. We play true thrashing metal bent on melting poser’s faces with our brand of aggression, speed, cruelty and everything else in between.

You had a hell of a time getting to your first album, releasing a huge number of different releases along the way. Tell us about that period in your band.

N: The first album’s writing sessions suffered most when our axeman Rowell didn’t show up anymore, we encountered a dilemma of being a trio or to get a replacement guitarist. The many releases in between were mostly out of cooperation with other bands and labels. We just wanted to get both band’s names out. Also from my perspective this is what a d.i.y. underground band is supposed to do, to cooperate and release as much as we can when we can.

Like any true underground band, you have a ton of split albums! Why do you love them so much? How do you choose the bands for these releases?

N: As partly stated above, splits to me are what underground bands like us are supposed to do. Only true maniacs will understand. The bands we get to do splits with are humbly asked by me if they would like to do it. Only 1 band was a label supplement. If anyone else is interested just let me know. Most of the bands we did splits were contacts and comrades of ours, not so much of a criteria there to discuss.

How do you design your work?

N: If you mean the layouts the labels do it and have it previewed for our approval. If you mean when we do it ourselves most of the time it’s Vro being in charge of similar matters. As for the artwork our artist Norman a.k.a. Cyclonus of Trident Nation zine/Kambing passed away a few years back. Most works adorning our releases are made by him.

Tell us about the Philippines and metal? What's the local scene like? Can you highlight some of its defining characteristics?

N: There is no scene in the Philippines just a group of people with the same interest and activities that resemble a scene. Yes there are tons of bands and individuals you will see online but at ground zero there is no die hard Underground scene. Most are just Facebook metallers, trendies, and everything else in between. If you are into people like that, they’re all yours hahaha! Otherwise, look the other way and do something else.

What local maniacs can you recommend?

N: I recommend bands in the ANK circle: Sacrosanct, Corrupt Insanity. Other names like Pathogen, Organ Harvest, Legion etc. also there are a bunch of kids bouncing around: Youth Alteration (Punk/HC) and Filipino Toxic Youth (thrash). For labels the only active one is Thresthold Records and then there are tons of people on Facebook you might see. By the way ANK stands for APOY NG KAMUNDUHAN productions, a production for gigs that we run and do shows sporadically.

Tell us about the place where you rehearse and record. What's the typical recording process like?

N: We rent a studio for 2 hours at least 2-3 times a month, depends mostly on our availability. It’s called ICON studios, its also a place where kids have music lessons, the gear is pretty much old and all but we like the acoustics and flat sound of the place plus its proximity to our location, I usually bring my gear (amp. Guitar, pedals, etc.) Our recording process is always doing the rhythm section first before layering the guitars, vocals and overdubs and yes we do not use metronome! Argh!

Are you planning a new album? When will it be released?

N: Yes we do. As we speak we have written 4 songs, two of which had already been demoed, I cannot answer when as we do not work on a tight schedule, we just do it when feel it’s right! We plan to make it an 8 song onslaught of total thrashing metal mayhem!!

What does metal mean to you? Do you have any particular ideology, interpretation, or ideas?

N: Metal is life! No metal, No life!!!! What else should it be!!!!

13 albums that you always listen to over and over again and feel like they'll last forever?

N: this one is hard!! Metallica – first four, Slayer – Hell Awaits, Reign, Chapel, Megadeth – Rust, Exodus – Bonded, Sodom – first three, Dark Angel – Scars, Darkness, Kreator – Terrible and Pleasure, Death Angel – debut, Holy Terror – Mind Wars, Demolition Hammer – first two, Protector – Shedding, Order from Chaos – All!!, Sarcofago – first three, and many more!! Sorry I answered wrongly, but can you blame me???

What do you think is the best way to promote a new black/speed metal band in today's world?

N: I am out of touch nowadays and don’t know how to do this anymore as facebook is too artificial for me and so are the other platforms, but if you look you will find PAGANFIRE there, on facebook, Instagram, bandcamp, spotify, etc. etc as we still have to do it to survive, I prefer doing interviews like this and spreading stuff via trades but honestly speaking, postage costs is too much now but I am glad that there are still many printed magazines and distros out there doing the ways of old, may your brood multiply!

A few final words?

N: Thanks to you maniac for doing this!! It is an honor to be on the pages of your zine! Never stop the madness!! Anyone else interested just drop us a line: paganfire13@yahoo.com or via the fb page: paganfire.ph, we still have copies of the last maxi single release “Despotic Power” and of our 2nd album as well. Bands, labels, zines and everyone else in between feel free to get in touch!!! KAMATAYAN SA HUWAD NA METAL!!!

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February 2026

Interview for Articulo Mortis