Brutal Assault reveals massive lineup update with Body Count, Primus, synthwave titans, and Cradle of Filth heading to the fortress

The lineup for the 27th edition of Brutal Assault is shifting into high gear. The current roster expands with over thirty new names, underscoring the festival’s commitment to genre diversity. The confirmed list includes essential extreme metal acts, pioneers of heavy electronics, and the highly anticipated return of legendary artists.

One of the most significant highlights of this year’s edition is undoubtedly the Californian trio PRIMUS. Les Claypool and his crew, who have defined their own category of “oddity” for decades, are bringing their unmistakable fusion of funk, alternative metal, and instrumental virtuosity to Josefov. Their performance promises a surreal experience that will take on a new dimension within the historic fortress walls. Primus are more than a band; they are storytellers whose musical eccentricity fits perfectly with the dramaturgy of a festival that isn’t afraid to break boundaries.

Another major act set to unleash pure mayhem at the Josefov Fortress is the legendary BODY COUNT. Fronted by the charismatic and relentless Ice-T, this outfit stands as an unshakable crossover icon, uncompromisingly blending the ferocity of hardcore punk with the crushing power of metal. Currently experiencing an incredible renaissance—cemented by a Grammy win and their latest album Merciless—the band arrives at Josefov to solidify their reputation as one of the most electrifying and socially conscious live acts today. Fans can look forward to an uncompromising performance where raw street energy meets razor-sharp riffs and a defiant attitude.

Modern progressive metal will be represented by one of the most vital formations of today – PERIPHERY. The djent architects led by Misha Mansoor return with material that balances crushing technical precision with catchy melodies. If you are looking for the definition of modern guitar sound for the 21st century, Periphery will serve it with surgical accuracy.

Dark electronics and synthesizers will have unprecedented space in Josefov this year. The roster features two giants of the synthwave/darksynth genre – PERTURBATOR and CARPENTER BRUT. Both French projects are renowned for forging 80s aesthetics into an aggressive, almost metal form that performs live with the energy of a runaway steamroller. They will be flanked by industrial veterans KMFDM and DIE KRUPPS, who defined the “Ultra Heavy Beat” long before electronics became a common staple in the metal world.

Fans of classic extreme metal will also find plenty to celebrate. The vampiric troupe CRADLE OF FILTH returns to the fortress. Dani Filth and his pack have been enjoying a strong renaissance in recent years, and their symphonic black metal has an irreplaceable tradition on the Brutal stages. Emerging from the darker corners of the scene are Swiss duo BÖLZER, who manage to create a wall of sound more massive than most five-piece bands, and the orthodox liturgy of Poland’s BATUSHKA.

The genre variety is further enriched by the Icelandic melancholy of SÓLSTAFIR, Swedish masters of gloom KATATONIA, and stoner/fuzz legends FU MANCHU, bringing Californian sun wrapped in dense riffs. The hardcore and deathcore scenes are heavily represented by THY ART IS MURDER, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, and CHELSEA GRIN.

The fortress is filling up, and the lineup is taking its final shape. Don’t wait until the last minute. Tickets are available on the festival website: https://brutalassault.cz/en/tickets

Full line-up (new bands are highlighted): 200 STAB WOUNDS, 3rd AND THE MORTAL, A.A. WILLIAMS, ALCEST, ALLT, AMENRA, AMORPHIS, ANGELUS APATRIDA, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, ARMORED SAINT, ARTHUR BROWN, AURA NOIR, BAEST, BATUSHKA, BLACKBRAID, BLEED FROM WITHIN, BODY COUNT, BÖLZER, BORKNAGAR, CARPENTER BRUT, CASTLE RAT, CHELSEA GRIN, CLAWFINGER, CONJURER, CORONER, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, COVEN, CRADLE OF FILTH, CRIPPLING ALCOHOLISM, CRYPTOPSY, DEAFHEAVEN, DEATH ANGEL, DECEASED, DEICIDE, DEMOLITION HAMMER, DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT, DESERTED FEAR, DEVOURMENT, DIE KRUPPS, DRACONIAN, EIVØR, ELDER, FALLUJAH, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, FU MANCHU, GRAVE, GUILT TRIP, H2O, HEAVY//HITTER, ILL NINO, ILLDISPOSED, IMMINENCE, IMMOLATION, INSOMNIUM, INTERNAL BLEEDING, IOTUNN, KATATONIA, KIM DRACULA, KITTIE, KMFDM, KYLESA, LEFT TO DIE, MARDUK, MASTER BOOT RECORD, METAL CHURCH, Misþyrming & Nergal plays BEHEMOTH’s SVENTEVITH, MONSTROSITY, MORTAL SIN, MUNICIPAL WASTE, NEVERMORE, NOVEMBER’S DOOM, OLD MAN’S CHILD, ONSLAUGHT, PALEFACE SWISS, PEELINGFLESH, PERIPHERY, PERTURBATOR, PRIMUS, PROTEST THE HERO, PSYCHONAUT, RATOS DE PORAO, REVOCATION, RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR, SACRED REICH, SADISTIC INTENT, SAMAEL, SANGUISUGABOGG, SAOR, SEPTICFLESH, SIGNS OF THE SWARM, SLIFT, SLOPE, SNĚŤ, SÓLSTAFIR, TERROR, THE CASUALITIES, THE GHOST INSIDE, THE LAWS performing SARCOFAGO, THE RUINS OF BEVERAST, THE SISTERS OF MERCY, THY ART IS MURDER, THY CATAFALQUE, TORMENTOR, TRIPTYKON, VADER, VENDED, VIO-LENCE, VULVODYNIA, WARDRUNA, WITCH CLUB SATAN, WORMED, WYATT E.