Brutal Assault may not be the biggest festival when it comes to the European metal festival scene, but it still manages to maintain a strong lineup that attracts a whole lot of metalheads. This year the festival took place from August 9th until August 12th, 2023. Located at monumental Fortress Josefov – which is probably one of the best locations to host a metal crowd – it not only boasts the atmosphere of a heavy festival but also allows participants to cool down in its chilly nooks and corridors, or hide from rain as it did on the festival’s first day.
The festival’s second day continued with bands like DISMEMBER, BIOHAZARD, DYING FETUS, BELPHEGOR, ENSLAVED, and WATAIN.
Swedish death metallers DISMEMBER have refrained from releasing a new LP since 2008. Yet, much like the sentiment with I AM MORBID, none of us are complaining, as long as we can witness their commanding stage presence. Emerging from a hiatus in 2011 and resurrecting their band in 2019, just before the world faced the turmoil of the pandemic, DISMEMBER has reemerged with a vengeance. Happily shredding fans in the first rows, they exude a ferocity that matches their title.
New York City’s hardcore punkers, BIOHAZARD, reunited last year with their original singer, Evan Seinfeld. This homecoming adds even more reason to experience their performance. Despite the passing years, their stage presence remains infused with punk energy, as they deliver an unabashed blast of their authentic sound.
The motto “listening to proper grindcore once a day makes sadness go away” holds its wisdom, and DYING FETUS takes that sentiment to heart. The Baltimore trio defies any notion that a smaller group can’t conquer a festival stage. With their upcoming album “Make Them Beg for Death” set for release in September, DYING FETUS‘ appearance promised a thrilling treat. Sweeping the audience off their feet, their performance stood out like none other.
BELPHEGOR‘s last-minute addition to the festival’s lineup was perhaps a surprise, but a delight for concert junkies no matter when the show was announced. Their raw, rough signature style extends seamlessly to their live shows. With their most recent album “Devils” released in 2022, their onstage delivery of these tracks was nothing short of enthralling.
Attempting to classify ENSLAVED‘s sound becomes a futile endeavor. Drawing inspiration from both black metal and their Norse roots, their music defies easy categorization. And their performance is no different. Despite the usual association of black metal acts with a more introspective presence, ENSLAVED‘s vibrant stage show delved into their more melodic facets. Their newest album “Heimdal,” released in March 2023, provided the basis for their captivating performance.
Swedish black metal juggernaut WATAIN continued to tour with their 2022 release “The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain.” Their stage presence, adorned with elaborate gear and activities, may seem excessive, but authenticity and passion ooze from every moment of their performance. The night concluded fittingly with a black metal ceremony, complete with fire, blood, and torch tossing—a poignant ending to a night of relentless musical intensity.
Notes by Maria Sawicka, text by Laureline Tilkin
Photos by Maria Sawicka
