Brutal Assault 2026: Festival Preview

Words: Oli Gonzalez
Photos: Tim Finch

Brutal Assault. It’s that time of the year when metalheads all over the world will descend upon the nation of Czechia and gather at Josefov Fortress for a five day feast of the finest extreme metal on the planet! Boasting a line up that commands respect from all corners of the globe, there genuinely is something for everyone. From blockbuster names that would comfortably sell out arenas in their home countries to smaller up and coming acts! From the grimmest of black metal through to punishing doom, aesthetic post rock, healthy dosages of death metal, and the experimental acts that call the Keep Ambient Lodge home, every taste is catered for. Whilst there’s many other festivals that have solid lineups, Brutal Assault offers a one of a kind experience. Whilst I attended Fortress Festival a few weeks prior to this, Brutal Assault actually takes place in a literal fortress! The network of tunnels, courtyards, and the infamous Natural Stand hillside provide an infrastructure that other festivals can only dream of having at their disposal!

All of this, however, is based solely off a combination of video footage, written reviews, and verbal accounts from friends! Whereas I’d normally be spending the first week of August in the fields of Catton Hall Park at Bloodstock Open Air, this will be the first time I’ve frequented the holy grounds of Brutal Assault! So, with the set times out (download the Brutal Assault app for more information on this), who’s on my list of must sees this week?

(Note: information accurate as of Thursday 9th July 2026).

Amenra

One of those bands you can just never get tired of seeing live! No matter where and when they play, Amenra leave absolutely everything on that stage! They never pull back from delivering an emotionally charged post-metal performance that tugs violently on your heartstrings whilst simultaneously delivering gut wrenching body blow after thunderous torso strike with walls of unfiltered crushing distortion! For the uninitiated, you’d better be ready!

Iotunn

Certainly not one of the bigger names on the festival bill, those who have seen the Danish-Faroese act live in the flesh have spoke of their pulsating energy and intense atmospheric performances! Having released “Waves Over Copenhell” in January of this year, this would have given many a taste of this – like yours truly – though the experience can’t be fully captured digitally sadly. Spearheaded by the superhuman vocals of Jon Aladara, Iotunn’s sound is characterised not only by this operatic cleans and guttural roars, but also by the soaring melodies, densley layered tapestries and utterly complex compositions that make each song a true work of art and voyage like no other.

Left To Die

Since Chuck Schudilner left this world, it’s a sad fact that we’ll never see his band Death grace the stage. One of the true pioneers and seminal extreme metal acts. However, Left To Die is arguably the closest we’ll ever get to this! With members from Gruesome and other prominent death metal acts, the band is also comprised of original Death members as they will lavish us with hits from the band’s early discography! With some originals thrown in for good measure. I’m sure they’ll do Chuck proud!

Ahab

Sitting high on top of Tuesday’s preshow are the German doom heavyweights. Having captivated audiences across the world for their gripping live shows, the entire festival will be at their mercy on the opening day as wave after wave of crushing nautical doom ferocity will wash over the fortress! They’ll have the entire festival headbanging in unholy unison no doubt and will leave many a sore neck come Wednesday morning.

Wardruna

Their Arctangent festival set and smaller intimate show in Liverpool, as part of a world tour, sit high up top as highlights amongst highlights of 2025! Often imitated but never replicated, a Wardruna show needs to be experienced in the flesh to feel it’s true raw beauty and transcendent power. With the genuinely spellbinding cocktail of melodies crafted by traditional Nordic folk instruments and underlined by the hauntingly beautiful Old Norse vocal chants, this was also provide a wonderful juxtaposition and much welcome mental break from the onslaught of extreme metal our senses will be no doubt be pounded with all week!

Wormed

As far as death metal goes, Brutal Assault boasts an embarrassment of riches! Though Wormed will still be amongst one of the standouts of the weekend. Not only for their electrifying live performances, but for their blend of technical sci-fi infused extreme metal that are underlined by a lethal concoction of heavy slams that refuse to compromise in their brutality! After they levelled Offal Fest 2025 with a legendary co-headline set, these memories need to be relieved again and simply cannot be missed.

Other notable acts on my list include French post-metallers Alcest, Finnish melodic death masterclass Insomnium, US progressive rockers Elder, and many MANY more!

So, it’s only a few weeks away as I type this! If you’re planning to go and haven’t got your ticket, don’t dilly dally and get yours. Now!

Photo credits: Tim Finch

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