News
Brutal Assault Festival 2025: Full Lineup, Dates, and Everything You Need to Know
Jul
Date: August 6–9, 2025
Location: Josefov Fortress, Jaroměř, Czech Republic
Official Website: brutalassault.cz
If you live and breathe extreme music, then Brutal Assault Festival 2025 is your pilgrimage. Set in the eerie, historic military fortress of Josefov in the Czech town of Jaroměř, this four-day celebration of metal, punk, and hardcore will once again gather thousands of metalheads from around the world from August 6 to 9, 2025.
Now in its 27th edition, Brutal Assault continues to cement its reputation as one of Europe’s premier extreme music festivals. With over 130 bands across multiple stages, immersive visuals, thought-provoking art installations, and a unique fortress venue, it’s more than just a festival — it’s a full-blown experience.
A Fortress of Metal: The Josefov Setting
Brutal Assault is known not only for its brutal lineup but also for its setting. The Josefov Fortress — an 18th-century military structure — is unlike any other festival ground. Massive stone walls, underground tunnels, artillery bastions, and natural amphitheaters provide the perfect dystopian backdrop for metal chaos. It feels like you’re at the gates of hell — in the best way possible.
This stunning venue transforms into a playground of darkness every August, with music, art, food, and community thriving in this hauntingly beautiful setting.
Warm-Up Day: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Before the main stages erupt, Brutal Assault gives fans a chance to stretch their necks with an intense Warm-Up Day on August 5 at the Obscure Stage. This pre-party features rising underground bands and local acts ready to set the tone.
Highlights:
- Marked As An Enemy
- See You In Hell
- Cutterred Flesh
- Carnivore A.D. (featuring classic Crossover Thrash vibes)
- Macabre – Legendary murder metal maniacs return to wreak havoc.
Day-by-Day Highlights: August 6–9, 2025
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
Main stages (Sea Shepherd & Marshall) explode from noon:
- Ne Obliviscaris – Progressive death metal meets violin-laden atmosphere.
- Static-X – Industrial legends bringing their Evil Disco back to Europe.
- Ministry – Industrial metal pioneers promising a politically charged sonic assault.
- Mastodon – Grammy-winning sludge/prog titans headlining the night.
- Rotting Christ – Greek black metal icons bringing dark ritual energy.
Obscure & Octagon stages also deliver underground depth:
- Rivers of Nihil – U.S. tech-death heroes returning with new material.
- Orange Goblin – Classic stoner metal vibes to shake the earth.
- Zemial & Rüin – Rare appearances for cult underground black/death acts.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
From grindcore to avant-garde, Thursday’s lineup is diverse and fierce:
- Psycroptic – Australian technical death metal virtuosity.
- Car Bomb – Dissonant mathcore insanity.
- Suffocation – Brutal death metal royalty.
- Leprous – Norway’s progressive maestros offer a melodic break amidst chaos.
- Gojira – French heavyweights bring eco-activism, groove, and jaw-dropping live energy.
Obscure Stage:
- The Ocean – Post-metal explorers return with a new cinematic journey.
- August Burns Red – Metalcore heroes known for crushing breakdowns.
- Furia – Polish avant-garde black metal with hypnotic energy.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
This might be the most sonically diverse day of the festival.
- Angelmaker & Within Destruction – Deathcore firestarters guaranteed to cause carnage.
- Pig Destroyer – Grindcore legends performing raw, aggressive chaos.
- Counterparts, Asphyx, Overkill – Hardcore, doom-death, and thrash legends, respectively.
- Paradise Lost – Gothic doom pioneers headline with melancholic grandeur.
- Dimmu Borgir – Symphonic black metal royalty making their fortress return.
- Cult of Luna – Swedish post-metal giants close the night with transcendental force.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
The final day is nothing short of explosive:
- Exhorder – The progenitors of groove metal.
- Hanabie. – Japanese metalcore/idol fusion that’s gone viral worldwide.
- Benighted, Hideous Divinity – Deathgrind madness guaranteed.
- Kataklysm, Agonistic Front, Exodus – A triple punch of death, hardcore, and thrash classics.
- Meshuggah – The Swedish djent pioneers return to destroy with inhuman precision.
- The Halo Effect – Featuring ex-members of In Flames delivering Gothenburg-style melodic death metal.
- Dark Funeral – Black metal finale with unholy flames.
Multi-Stage Madness
Brutal Assault spreads its lineup across several themed stages:
- Sea Shepherd & Marshall (Main Stages A & B) – For the biggest names and headliners.
- Obscure Stage – A sanctuary for underground, avant-garde, and genre-bending bands.
- Octagon Stage – Intimate and intense, with late-night mayhem and cult acts.
This setup ensures that while you may have some hard choices, the flow is smooth, and you’re never far from incredible music.
The Brutal Experience: More Than Just Music
1. Art Installations & Horror Cinema
Expect immersive art exhibitions, controversial political statements, and installations designed to provoke thought and emotion. Previous years included activist zones, visual horror art, and even live sculpting. The Brutal Cinema brings horror, documentary, and underground film for late-night entertainment.
2. Craft Beer & Global Cuisine
Forget boring beer tents. Brutal Assault offers a craft beer paradise, with local Czech breweries and international selections. Vegan, vegetarian, and traditional Czech food options are available throughout the venue.
3. Eco-Friendly Initiatives
With strong ties to Sea Shepherd, the festival promotes ecological awareness, anti-fascism, and community activism. Waste sorting, reusable cups, and digital ticketing are part of the green initiative.
4. Merch Heaven
From exclusive Brutal Assault prints to vinyl, patches, and band merch — the festival marketplace is a must-visit. Rare finds and limited drops are guaranteed.
Ticket Info & Travel Tips
- Tickets: Available via brutalassault.cz. Early bird 4-day passes are typically cheaper — act fast before it sells out.
- Camping: Multiple zones with varying amenities. VIP and quiet campgrounds available.
- Hotels & Hostels: Jaroměř and nearby Hradec Králové offer budget and mid-range stays. Book early — they fill fast.
- Transport: Shuttle buses from Prague (about 1.5–2 hours), and direct train lines from across the Czech Republic.
- Pro Tip: Bring good boots — the fortress terrain can be rough, especially if it rains.
Why Brutal Assault Stands Out
While there are hundreds of metal festivals globally, Brutal Assault’s combination of extreme music, historical setting, and artistic ambition makes it truly unique. It’s not just about seeing your favorite bands — it’s about being immersed in a community that respects history, nature, rebellion, and sonic devastation.
Whether you’re into black metal, death metal, grindcore, doom, punk, sludge, industrial, or post-metal, Brutal Assault 2025 has something for every shade of heavy music fan.
Final Words: Join the Legion in 2025
As summer approaches, mark your calendar and prepare your battle jacket. Brutal Assault 2025 promises four unforgettable days of heavy music, artistic rebellion, and community in one of Europe’s most badass venues. Whether you’re a veteran of the pit or a first-timer, this is the kind of event that defines metal culture.
Get your ticket. Pack your gear. Embrace the chaos.
See you in the Fortress.
