Brutal Assault Welcomes Another 26 Acts: Brutal Assault Drops Knocked Loose, Uncompromising Hardcore, Death Metal, And Avant-Garde Gems

The jubilee 30th edition of the Brutal Assault festival kicks off another massive wave of bands, adding 26 more names to an already stacked lineup. Headlining this batch are American hardcore heavyweights Knocked Loose, joined by proven staples like Agnostic Front, Heaven Shall Burn, and cult video game soundtrack composer Mick Gordon. They join previously announced giants such as Children of Bodom, Mercyful Fate, The Sisters of Mercy, Emperor, Carcass, Mgla, Dethklok, and the iconic Master's Hammer.

Kentucky hardcore sensation KNOCKED LOOSE is currently tearing through global arenas and festival stages with unprecedented brutality and an uncompromising sound. Their relentless fusion of hardcore punk and intricate metalcore—marked by sudden rhythmic shifts and Bryan Garris's urgent vocals—has redefined modern aggressive music. Their live shows are synonymous with total mosh pit chaos, massive breakdowns, and raw energy.

The lineup is further strengthened by essential pillars of the global scene. New York hardcore royalty is represented by pioneers AGNOSTIC FRONT, while Germany's HEAVEN SHALL BURN bring their impenetrable wall of melodic death metal and metalcore backed by a clear social message. A unique highlight is a performance by composer MICK GORDON, creator of the cult, aggressive soundtracks for video games like DOOM and Wolfenstein, who will bring his thrilling industrial-electronic live show to the stage.

The 26 new additions showcase a broad spectrum of subgenres, ranging from the brutal underground to progressive visionaries. Death metal and deathcore fans get a heavy hit with Texan brutality from Gorgasm, technical deathcore from Carnifex, the uncompromising The Acacia Strain, progressive output from The Zenith Passage, and the legendary Six Feet Under. Italy's occult death metal and grindcore fusion comes courtesy of Fulci, while Belgian fierce energy is represented by Schizophrenia. Joining Agnostic Front on the hardcore front are the cult Gorilla Biscuits, Canada's Get The Shot, the more melodic Volumes, and Taiwanese powerhouses Whispers.

The darker and more atmospheric side of metal is covered by Nordic avant-garde act Arcturus, folk-black metal pioneers Vintersorg, and American black metal phenomenon Stormkeep, accompanied by Iceland's Forsmán.

After two years, the star-studded project A Tribute to Quorthon and Bathory (formerly named Blood Fire Death) returns to Josefov. Devotees of complex soundscapes will appreciate instrumental post-metal veterans Russian Circles, Danish blackgaze from MØL, German progressive innovators Unprocessed, and devastating Swedish thall courtesy of Humanity’s Last Breath. Heavy, swampy tones and doom riffs will be delivered by stoner-sludge titans Yob alongside John Garcia, the former voice of the iconic Kyuss.

These new names join previously announced giants for the upcoming 30th edition. Standout acts include the exclusive return of Children of Bodom, occult heavy metal from Mercyful Fate, and gothic legends The Sisters of Mercy. The lineup is completed by iconic bands such as Emperor, Carcass, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Master's Hammer, Mgla, Dethklok, Kanonenfieber, Azarath, Belphegor, Benediction, Destruction, DevilDriver, Malevolence, Shadow of Intent, Sylosis, as well as projects by John 5 and John Bush.

"We are very pleased to expand our already packed lineup with more major names in global metal, as well as artists who are on the verge of becoming household names. The 30th edition holds special symbolic value for both us and the fans—plus, even including the COVID-era Josefoff and Josefstadt editions, we are returning to the fortress for the 20th time. Naturally, we aren't done announcing bands yet, so I'd recommend not waiting too long to buy tickets" stated festival director and head booker Tomáš Fiala, hinting at the fact that less than 10 months before the festival starts, over 66.6% of total ticket capacity is already sold.

Brutal Assault will take place in the Czech Republic at the Josefov Fortress during August 4-7, 2027.

Festival passes are available HERE!