Brutal Assault 2024 took place this year from August 7th to August 10th in Jaroměř, Czech Republic. This year’s festival lineup featured a diverse array of bands spanning various subgenres of metal. Some of the most notable acts included BEHEMOTH, CARCASS, MESHUGGAH, NAPALM DEATH, and GORGUTS. The festival is well-regarded for its strong lineup and vibrant atmosphere, attracting metal fans from around the world.
Experimenting with audiences has become an ongoing theme for major European festivals, aiming to attract larger crowds. Brutal Assault is no exception. At its core, the festival has always been heavily oriented toward black and death metal genres, but the promoters are not shy about spicing things up with bands that might not be a perfect fit for the bill. This includes inviting fashionable acts to stay competitive—a sign of the times!
The fourth and final day of Brutal Assault 2024 in Jaroměř, Czech Republic, continued the festival’s tradition of delivering high-caliber metal performances. Despite the festival’s progression into its final hours, the energy remained palpable and the lineup showcased a broad spectrum of metal subgenres.
The day began with the Dutch death metal classic PESTILENCE. Their performance was a testament to their longstanding reputation in the death metal scene, offering a solid, no-frills show. The set featured tracks from their most recent album, “Exitivm,” released in 2021, as well as selections from the best-of compilation “Levels of Perception,” released in 2024.
Following them, SADUS took the stage. Known for their thrash metal prowess, SADUS returned with a new LP, “The Shadow Inside,” released in 2023 after a 17-year hiatus. The band, now consisting of Darren Travis and Jon Allen, demonstrated they still have the fire and intensity that made them a force in thrash metal.
IMPALED NAZARENE, a cornerstone of Finnish black metal, delivered a performance rich with the genre’s classic elements. With over three decades of pushing boundaries in black metal, their set featured material from their latest release, “Eight Headed Serpent,” released in 2021.
The Polish black metal scene was well-represented by TOTENMESSE, a rising name in the genre. With members from acts like GRUZJA, ODRAZA, HORDA, and BELPHEGOR, their performance was a potent blend of spicy, rich black metal. Their most recent LP, “Fiktionlust,” was released in 2023, and their stage presence was enhanced by their distinctive attire, including tripaloski and bullet belts.
PRIMORDIAL, led by the charismatic A.A. Nemtheanga, brought their unique blend of black metal and Celtic folk to the stage. Their performance was a powerful, melancholic experience, promoting their 2023 album, “How It Ends.”
JULIE CHRISTMAS offered a more eclectic set, defying easy categorization but fitting within the broad realm of post-metal. Known for her work with BATTLE OF MICE and MADE OUT OF BABIES, her solo career was highlighted by her return this year with the new LP, “Ridiculous and Full of Blood.”
TEXTURES made an epic return after nearly a six-year hiatus. Their energetic progressive death metal set was a welcome comeback, with the band’s most recent release being “Phenotype” from 2016. Fans are eagerly anticipating new material from them soon.
The Polish stoner doom metal quartet DOPELORD captivated the audience with their hypnotic sound, blending ’70s psychedelic influences with heavy doom. Their latest LP, “Songs for Satan,” released in 2023, showcased their signature thick, smoky sound and fantastic vocals.
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut album by performing “Calculating Infinity” in its entirety. Although the absence of Greg Puciato was felt, Dimitri Minakakis stepped in to handle vocal duties, making for a memorable set.
As the festival drew to a close, BEHEMOTH delivered a commanding performance. Led by the charismatic Nergal, the Polish blackened death metal giants impressed with their well-oiled stage presence and formidable live show. Despite mixed reviews of their 2022 release, “Opvs Contra Natvram,” their live performance was nothing short of phenomenal.
To wrap up the festival, NEW MODEL ARMY brought a diverse blend of metal, punk, and goth influences. Their set reflected their 40-year legacy, showcasing tracks from their 2024 LP, “Unbroken.” Under the leadership of Justin Sullivan, the band demonstrated their ability to continually reinvent themselves while maintaining their unique sound.
Brutal Assault 2024 concluded on a high note, leaving fans with a rich array of performances from metal’s varied subgenres, and solidifying its reputation as a premier metal festival.
Photos by Maria Sawicka
Notes by Maria Sawicka, text by Laureline Tilkin
