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 third day of Brutal Assault 2024 in Jaroměř, Czech Republic, was a compelling conclusion to an extraordinary festival, showcasing a diverse lineup of metal’s finest acts. Despite the scorching temperatures, the energy and enthusiasm from the crowd remained high throughout the day.
The morning kicked off with PARTY CANNON, the cheeky Scots known for their party slam brutal death metal. Performing at the ungodly hour of 10:30 a.m., they managed to draw a substantial crowd and keep the festival’s spirit high with their energetic performance. Their commitment to the crowd’s physical fitness, with push-ups and steps in the pit, added a unique twist to their set amidst the sweltering heat of at least 30℃.
LIK, the Swedish death metal band, followed with a more subdued stage presence but delivered a phenomenal musical performance. Their latest album, “Misanthropic Breed,” released in 2020, was a testament to their dedication to the genre.
Next up were KALMAH, a Finnish group known for their “swamp death metal.” Contrary to their gloomy moniker, their stage presence was vibrant and full of energy. They are currently promoting their self-titled album, “Kalmah,” which was released in 2023.
The Italian sludge and psychedelic act UFOMAMMUT brought a deep and immersive sound to the stage. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, they performed tracks from their latest album, “Hidden,” released in 2024. Their unique sonic experience was enhanced by their distinctive stage setup.
LEGION OF THE DAMNED, the Dutch death thrash metallers, continued the day with their uncompromising, pure death metal. Their latest LP, “Poison Chalice,” released in 2023, was showcased with their characteristic ferocity.
ABORTED followed with their intense performance, marked by high energy and crowd engagement. Notably, their set included a memorable on-stage engagement, which ended with a joyous “yes” from the couple. Their latest release, “Vault of Horrors,” came out earlier this year and was a highlight of their dynamic set.
TOXIC HOLOCAUST, the American thrash and speed metal trio, delivered a powerful set led by Joel Grind. Their latest LP, “Primal Future: 2019,” was a testament to their relentless thrash kick, even with a minimal stage setup.
The Ukrainian quartet JINJER took the stage with their groovy progressive metal. Known for their ability to seamlessly switch between clean vocals and aggressive growls, they are still promoting their album, “Wallflowers,” which was released in 2021, and are expected to release new material soon.
LEFT TO DIE, an American supergroup featuring former members of DEATH and GRUESOME, paid tribute to the late Chuck Schuldiner by performing the entirety of “Leprosy” and “Scream Bloody Gore.” Their set was a powerful homage to one of death metal’s greatest pioneers.
Swedish doom metal legends CANDLEMASS brought their classic sound to the festival, performing with the passion and energy that have defined their long career. Their latest LP, “Sweet Evil Sun,” released in 2023, was a highlight of their set.
The most anticipated act of the day was CULT OF FIRE performing with the BOHEMIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRAGUE. Unfortunately, their tribute to Czech composer Bedřich Smetana was marred by sound issues, with blast beats overpowering the orchestra. Despite the concept’s brilliance, the execution fell short of expectations.
EMMA RUTH RUNDLE delivered a nearly intimate performance despite the open-air setting. Her post-rock sound, characterized by her emotive guitar work, stood out as a true gem of the day.
LAIBACH, the Slovenian band known for their distinctive military aesthetic and powerful stage presence, performed tracks from “Opus Dei” and “The Greatest Hymns.” Their set was a striking display of their iconic sound.
KAMPFAR, the Norwegian pagan black metal band, showcased their intense performance style. Celebrating over 30 years of music, they are promoting their 2022 LP, “Til Klovers Takt.”
The festival’s third day concluded with DEATHSTARS, the Swedish industrial goth act known for their theatricality and stage presence. Their set, featuring their latest album, “Everything Destroys You,” released in 2023, was a fitting end to the evening.
Photos by Maria Sawicka
Notes by Maria Sawicka, text by Laureline Tilkin
