Fragmentum – Warriors Of Chaac

Fragmentum
Warriors Of Chaac
Label: Gio Smet Records
Out: June 27^th, 2025
Playing time: 45:03

Fragmentum hails from Lokeren, Belgium. Founded by vokalists and guitarists Jan Bruggeman and Gunnar Nopens, they wanted to bring a breath of fresh air to the Metal scene with their dark and progressive sound. After signing a record deal with Gio Smets Records, the EP ‘Corn Ritual’ was released in May 2024. A bit more than one year later, their third album, ‘Warriors Of Chaac,’ was released. However, only singer and guitarist Jan Bruggeman and bassist Jeroen Van Wauwe remain from the EP line-up.

‘Kukulkan’ is introduced by clear guitar sounds and keyboards (who?). But then the riffs kick in and the evil growls begin. Fortunately, the growls are not too dominant. The drums and guitar also contribute to the powerful sound. Trashy, fast drumming is the defining feature of ‘Nakum’. Beautiful guitar melodies are interspersed throughout. On ‘Labyrinth Of Stone’, the drums and guitars blast away, Jan Bruggeman screams his heart out and bassist Jeroen Van Wauwe provides plenty of pressure in the low range. And so it continues. Fragmentum make no compromises when it comes to heaviness. At the same time, the individual songs, such as ‘Kinich Ahau’, ‘Clan Chamá’ and ‘Warrior Of Chaac’, sound varied. ‘Eclipse’ is even very melodic despite all its heaviness and nasty growls. But with ‘Mask Of Death,’ the thrash edge is back. ‘Elite Warrior’ starts off quietly with synth sounds before it too becomes heavy and fast. The album concludes with ‘Kilimbal,’ which sounds melodic and surprisingly upbeat.

On ‘Corn Ritual’, I criticised the fact that the bitterly angry growls drowned out all the other instruments. There is no sign of this on ‘Warriors Of Chaac’. The vocal and instrumental parts are much better mixed here. The songs are also much more varied. There has been a clear improvement.

Lineup:

Jan Bruggeman – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Jeroen Van Wauwe – Bass
Tom Skidmore – Drums

Track list:

• Kukulkan
• Nakum
• Labyrinth Of Stone
• Kinich Ahau
• Clan Chama
• Warrior Of Chaac
• Eclipse
• Mask Of Death
• Elite Warrior
• Kilimbal