Brutal Assault, held within the atmospheric Josefov Fortress in Jaroměř, is a festival that perfectly blends history, architecture, and extreme metal. Having recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, this festival stands as a testament to the thriving metal scene and offers a truly unique experience with its incredible setting.
The fortress itself, surrounded by towering walls, offers underground corridors and passages that serve as both venues for various activities and a much-needed respite from the sun. The cool, shaded interiors are perfect for recharging between shows, adding to the comfort of the experience.
With 125 bands spread across four intense days, Brutal Assault never fails to deliver. The two main stages are arranged back-to-back, ensuring a non-stop flow of music. Right across from the stages, a raised platform offers a more relaxed yet excellent vantage point, while the two VIP platforms provide unbeatable views of the main performances.
For fans of more underground or extreme subgenres, the third major stage, tucked further down within the fortress, delivers an unforgettable showcase of brutality and innovation. Each time I attend, the festival feels fresh and immersive, making it a must for any extreme metal enthusiast. Brutal Assault Festival goes beyond just offering an incredible music lineup; it excels in providing a well-rounded experience for its attendees. Besides the regular and VIP camping options, the festival makes accommodations even easier with its partnered hotels. We’ve stayed at different hotels over the years, and the overall experience has been fantastic, especially for old-timer metalheads like us. The convenience of a free shuttle service to and from the festival grounds, coupled with the bonus of a free pass to a special viewing area for hotel guests, adds extra comfort and ease to the experience.
The festival also shines when it comes to food, earning its reputation as one of the best in terms of selection. The variety of international cuisines is impressive, and the vegan options are particularly noteworthy, always served hot and fresh throughout the event. Whether you’re recharging with a delicious meal between sets or seeking the comfort of a hotel room after a long day, Brutal Assault has thought of every detail to enhance your festival experience.
Brutal Assault Festival enhances convenience with a wristband equipped with a prepaid chip, allowing for easy, cashless transactions throughout the event. You can load credits onto the wristband either at cashless counters or online, making it simple to manage your festival spending. Any unused credit is easily refunded with just the click of a button, ensuring a hassle-free experience from start to finish. This system eliminates the need to carry cash and speeds up transactions, making it another well-thought-out feature of the festival.
Brutal Assault Festival goes beyond music, offering a truly immersive experience with a variety of activities and features that keep you engaged throughout the event. I’ve had the chance to meet several artists through the festival’s well-organized “meet and greets,” which follow a preannounced schedule. It’s a great way to interact with the bands you admire.
The festival app is another fantastic tool, keeping you informed with real-time updates, news, and the running order of performances. One of the best features is the ability to set alerts for your favorite bands, ensuring you never miss a set.
Brutal Assault is also known for its unique activities, from post-apocalyptic-themed shows like the ‘Convoy PA’ to various art exhibitions. But the standout for me is the “Pit of Doom”—an eerie, interactive experience that takes place in the fortress’s dark underground corridors. Without giving away too much, it’s a thrilling, one-of-a-kind adventure that’s both scary and fun! One of the great advantages of Brutal Assault Festival is its affordability. Since all expenses are made in Czech koruna, it stands out as a more budget-friendly option compared to other European festivals. This makes everything from food and drinks to merchandise and accommodation much more affordable.
And of course, no Czech festival would be complete without the renowned local beers. While there’s no need to promote them, being able to enjoy authentic Czech brews at the festival feels like a privilege. They add to the overall atmosphere and experience, making Brutal Assault not only a metal haven but also a great place to savor local flavors!