Brutal Assault – 6-9 August 2026 – Jaroměř, CZ

The lineup for the 29th edition of Brutal Assault is gaining momentum.

Over thirty new names have been added to the current roster, underscoring the festival’s commitment to genre diversity. The confirmed list includes major extreme metal acts, electronic music pioneers, and the highly anticipated return of legendary artists.

One of the absolute highlights of this year’s edition is undoubtedly the Californian trio Primus. Les Claypool and his band, who have defined their own category of “eccentricity“ for decades, will bring their distinctive blend of funk, alternative metal, and instrumental virtuosity to Josefov. Their performance promises a surreal experience that will reach a new dimension within the historic fortress walls. Primus are more than a band; they are storytellers whose musical eccentricity perfectly complements the dramaturgy of a festival that isn’t afraid of genre boundaries.

Another top act that will unleash pure madness at Josefov Fortress is the legendary band Body Count. Led by the charismatic and relentless Ice-T, this band is considered an unshakeable crossover icon, uncompromisingly blending the ferocity of hardcore punk with the raw power of metal. Currently experiencing an incredible renaissance, the band comes to Josefov to solidify their reputation as one of the most electrifying and socially conscious live acts of our time. Fans can expect an uncompromising performance where raw street energy meets razor-sharp riffs and a defiant attitude.

Modern progressive metal is represented by one of the most important bands of our time: Periphery. The djent architects around Misha Mansoor return with material that combines brutal technical precision with catchy melodies. Anyone seeking the definition of the modern guitar sound of the 21st century will be blown away by Periphery’s surgically precise delivery.

Dark electronics and synthesizers will be given unprecedented prominence in Josefov this year. The lineup features two giants of the synthwave/darksynth genre: Perturbator and Carpenter Brut. Both French projects are known for transforming the aesthetics of the 80s into an aggressive, almost metal-like form, delivering a live performance with the energy of an out-of-control steamroller. They will be joined by industrial veterans KMFDM and Die Krupps, who shaped the “ultra heavy beat” sound long before electronic elements entered the metal scene.

Fans of classic extreme metal will also be in for a treat. The vampish band Cradle of Filth returns. Dani Filth and his band have been experiencing a strong renaissance for several years, and their symphonic black metal has an irreplaceable tradition on the Brutal stage. From the darker corners of the scene emerge the Swiss duo Bölzer, who create a wall of sound that eclipses most five-piece bands, as well as the orthodox liturgy of the Polish band Batushka.

The diverse range of genres is further enriched by the Icelandic melancholy of Sólstafir, the Swedish masters of dark Katatonia, and the stoner/fuzz legends Fu Manchu, who combine Californian sunshine with dense riffs. The hardcore and deathcore scene is strongly represented by Thy Art Is Murder, Fit For An Autopsy, and Chelsea Grin.

The fortress is filling up, and the lineup is taking shape. Don’t wait until the last minute! Tickets are available on the festival website: https://brutalassault.cz/en/tickets

200 Stab Wounds, 3rd And The Mortal, A.A. Williams, Alcest, Allt, Amenra, Amorphis, Angelus Apatrida, Animals As Leaders, Armored Saint, Arthur Brown, Aura Noir, Baest, Batushka, Blackbraid, Bleed From Within, Body Count, Bölzer, Borknagar, Carpenter Brut, Castle Rat, Chelsea Grin, Clawfinger, Conjujer, Coroner, Corrosion Of Conformity, Coven, Cradle Of Filth, Crippling Alcoholism, Cryptopsy, Deafheaven, Death Angel, Deceased, Deicide, Demolition Hammer, Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Deserted Fear, Devourment, Die Krupps, Draconian, Eivør, Elder, Fallujah, Fit For An Autopsy, Front Line Assembly, Fu Manchu, Grave, Guilt Trip, H2o, Heavy//Hitter, Ill Nino, Illdisposed, Imminence, Immolation, Insomnium, Internal Bleeding, Iotunn, Katatonia, Kim Dracula, Kittie, KMFDM, Kylesa, Left To Die, Marduk, Master Boot Record, Metal Church, Misþyrming & Nergal plays Behemoth’s Sventevith, Monstrosity, Mortal Sin, Municipal Waste, Nevermore, November’s Doom, Old Man’s Child, Onslaught, Paleface Swiss, Peelingflesh, Periphery, Perturbator, Primus, Protest The Hero, Psychonaut, Ratos De Porao, Revocation, Rise Of The Northstar, Sacred Reich, Sadistic Intent, Samael, Sanguisugabogg, Saor, Septicflesh, Signs Of The Swarm, Slift, Slope, Sněť, Sólstafir, Terror, The Casualities, The Ghost Inside, The Laws performing Sarcofago, The Ruins Of Beverast, The Sisters Of Mercy, Thy Art Is Murder, Thy Catafalque, Tormentor, Triptykon, Vader, Vended, Vio-Lence, Vulvodynia, Wardruna, Witch Club Satan, Wormed, Wyatt E.