Interview with Jan Bruggeman of Belgium's Fragmentum

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Jan! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it’s greatly appreciated.

CV: How has the addition of Herwig on keyboards and Frederik on drums altered how Fragmentum now writes and arranges new music?

Jan Bruggeman: Initially they joined the band to play on the 7 shows we did with Children of Bodom on their North American Hexed tour. Since Herwig joined earlier then Frederik, he was able to write some extra material that finally made it on the album. As they are now fully integrated in the band, they will participate in the writing of new material but without affecting the Fragmentum feel.

CV: What new type of dynamics have Herwig and Frederik brought to the band on a personality level?

JB: They have their own personalities but these fit in perfectly both musically and in the way of thinking. Gunnar and myself know each other through and through, but as for Fragmentum, we put our ambitions high, so it was difficult to find people with a vast musical background and similar opinions. Concerning our music we challenge each other, but we always preserve the good vibes.

CV: The band's debut album "Pugnacity" is now out and available to fans worldwide.  What has been the reaction to its release? Is the reaction what you expected?

JB: Reactions are great so far both in Europe and US. Lots of guys we met after our shows in the US posted pictures on our Facebook page and write awesome words about what they saw and about the album. Of course as a band, you hope for good feedback, but since this is our first full album these comments are beyond expectations.

CV: Jan, what are you hoping fans come away with after hearing the album?

JB: It would be cool to build up our fan base all over the world. Like some US fans mentioned on Facebook to come back to their country and play a bigger show. Good fans like your music, they buy some merchandise, etc, but they also like you as a person. That is a great feeling and in fact the essence of what we try to achieve with our music: making people happy and perhaps give them something they can hang on to?

CV: How do you feel about bands that put image first, above the quality of their music?

JB: People want to be entertained, that’s for sure, but personally for me it’s disappointing when the quality of the music is secondary. If that works for the band, it’s fine for them. I think these days image is important, but of course music is what it is all about. For us the music comes first, so we spend a lot of time revising our songs until everything gets in place. For instance, Gunnar had put a little melody at an unexpected place. For me it was a fantastic idea, but it was a challenge to make it work for the whole song. At the end we’re both so happy ‘bout the final result! You know what I mean?

CV: How would you then describe Fragmentum's work ethic? Does the music come first above all else?

JB: ;-), it’s not like we have a written out ‘work ethic’, of course not. Like we mentioned before, Gunnar and I are working on our Fragmentum concept since 2015. It’s funny that at some rehearsals we only did talk about fancying the stage...like creating a special mic stand. We did not want to have the feeling that making music is like a contest. Making music is so much more than playing (or writing down) notes! But it’s important to have a good balance...at the end you need to have at least 50 minutes of music to put on a full album, so that’s hard working sometimes too.

CV: Jan, there's a saying that goes "Never concern yourself with criticism from those who you wouldn't take advice from." Do you concern yourself with what critics have to say one way or another...good, bad or indifferent…about the band's music? Does it have any effect on you?
JB: Of course critics have there effect, but they have to be well considered and seen in their true colors. Critics are important, because you can learn from them. Even people who are not musically inclined can give a surprising comments, just because they don’t see or hear the things the same way as a musician. Of course some critics should be neglected, because you need to keep your identity and try to reach your goals in the way you want it to be.

CV: Let's talk about the album's theme of inner struggle and how we, as a collective people, react to such struggles.  What was the motivation to write about such a deep and personal subject matter? Is the subject especially personal to you?
JB: The inner struggle is reflecting on me personally, but I guess almost everyone has been in a situation where it is difficult to make choices. In fact, this struggle can also be subconscious, like in a nightmare where you deal with your deepest emotions. Imagine a sudden occasion where you have to make hard decisions. Choosing is losing. Even that moment is extremely short. I like to put myself into that and describe it. Some people freeze, others flee and then there are people who get meanly aggressive. This is unpredictable. So it’s a curious thing, because even the most gentle man can react unexpectedly hard or strange in certain circumstances. Reflecting on me, it’s not that I’ve been a lot in such situations, but I like to think about human’s instinct to survive, because then you mainly react as an animal!

CV: For you, do the lyrics drive the kind of music you write or is it the other way around - where the music drives the kind of lyrics that are written?
JB: Good question! Mostly the music is written first, and when the song has its final structure, I try to write the right lyrics on it. This is a process and for that I listen to the music several times, trying to catch the main feeling. Then I make my head empty and listen to the song again, writing down some words on crucial points, often times on the chorus. Once I have this starting point it doesn’t matter when I finish the lyrics or how much verses there are needed.

CV: Jan, do you think song themes and lyrical subject matters are important to music fans or is it more of an artist thing?
JB: I think this is important to your fans. Whenever you join a concert, you always see people saying or yelling the lyrics together with the vocalist on stage. Secondly, going back in history, musical instruments came gradually with the narrator, so in fact they were just subjoining. And third, remark on that is that most bands have their artwork with them on stage or do a big show on stage. People still want to be entertained in many ways. First time listening to a band, the overall sound or atmosphere will linger, but good lyrics will address much people too, so that’s another thing we keep in mind!

CV: How do you feel the new album stacks up against the band's US counterparts of Melodic Death Metal?  Is there a difference in your opinion between the US and European bands when it relates to how music is being written?
JB: Nowadays it’s hard to say if there is a different approach. Writing music is a whole process, doing some research, listening to many many other bands... The world is now connected in many ways, internet is world-wide and flying to another continent is easy and quite fast. It’s very easy nowadays to have your songs mixed in Belgium and do the mastering in US or Sweden, for example. Maybe the final sound of an album can be pushed into an American approach (lot’s of bass and treble) or a more British way with more emphasis on the mid frequencies?

CV: Fragmentum recently supported Children of Bodom on a number of US dates in March and April making it the band's first trip to the United States. What was the experience like?
JB: We had a very awesome experience being on that tour. Although it was a big challenge, like doing all the miles with a rented RV, trying be on time to the next gig. Herwig, and especially Frederik, were new to the band, so we did not know how such a trip would work out personally. But also the other bands travel a lot and work hard, so lot of respect goes out to them too! We’re still grateful they gave us that opportunity. Playing in very beautiful big venues in big cities for a lot of people is like a gift from the gods! We enjoyed so much, can’t wait to do another tour.
CV: Jan, was there one thing you wanted to do while you were in States? If so, what was it and did you get that chance?
JB: We knew beforehand there was a tight time schedule, so we focused on that and on our shows. The main goal was to try to return with a good feeling fed with good reactions from the audience, the other bands we played with and from the tour manager. Apparently they all did. Beside from that, for me personally, I wanted to know the guys of COB a little better, because I know their music from their first album. Building up the relation a little bit, we had a small meeting with them and took some cool pictures together. 

CV: Will fans be seeing Fragmentum return to the US anytime soon in support of “Pugnacity?"
JB: We don’t want to exclude that, although we are focusing on a European Tour to expand our fan base. Hopefully we can stay in contact with those guys who really liked us until we go for another US tour. As for now, it’s really hard to say what will be possible for us, but we feel our album Pugnacity is a good start.

CV: What's next for Fragmentum?
JB: Doing this interview is one of our steps we take seriously to build up our image. Fragmentum is unknown for lot’s of people, but that needs to change! I want to thank you guys from THE COSMICK VIEW for having us to talk with...it opens some doors again and that’s what we need! Beside focusing on gigs, we want to play... we’re hard working on having our band completed with a bass player, so check our website www.fragmentum.zone for the latest news on that. Of course we think a little further and are already writing some new material and building up ideas for the next album!

CV: Thank you again Jan for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It has been a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.

JB: Thanks again to you guys. It was a pleasure talking to you! Regards from Fragmentum!

Check out Jan and Fragmentum at:
Official: https://www.fragmentum.zone/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fragmentum.zone/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.

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