1.0 Prelude
This was my third Brutal Assault that I have attended. Last year Brutal Assault 2024 was a blast. The leak for the upcoming year at the given festival guideline 2024 book has persuaded us to attend this year Brutal Assault 2025. The decision was confirmed with remaining three from last year, me, Nazri & Dikin and this year my fellow schoolmate and Dikin's friend - Noorwan join us during transit at Qatar connecting his flight from New Zealand. This was a short trip starting from Munich few days before persuading to Prague and Jaromer (Brutal Assault) to finish off the 12 days trip.
We were assigned at same camp spot at Aamon, but due to late arrival from Prague, we only managed to be located at Section 7C instead of last year at 6C. The location doesn't impact much compared to last year Wacken (obvious increase of walking distance). Got 24hrs mini-set up stall just beside our camping area. Basic food and drinks with reasonable price.
The weather was scorching heat during day and only cold on the first night of arrival. Remaining nights was comforting breeze. This year Brutal Assault was sold out (first time??). What we love about Brutal Assault, because Czech Rep. is a beautiful country and their people was such friendly in all ages. Not kidding, they were really extrovert friendly people not only in the festival but also during my encounter at Prague city :) As for the festival itself mainly due to its "mid-tier" festival which make easy to walkaround due to not very large area and the price for food & beverages, merch and such relatively at reasonable price. This year Brutal Assault edition has excellent line up, as interesting compared to my first Wacken outing during 2011. Much of the bands I haven't seen yet and look forward to check them out.
disclaimer;
TLTR, scroll down to last for conclusion
the writing is according to my humble perspective
credit to You-tube links, which I did not record much as I was enjoying the festival.
2.0 Brutal Assault 2025
day.1
We reached the festival area much as similar to last year around 2pm departing from Prague around 10AM, after undergone smooth camping registration and install tent around 1 hour earlier.
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The entrance goodies were top-notch. NFC tag for the 100% festival cashless payment (few top up booth inside festival and camp area), booklet for festival guide and nice printed lanyard. Those beverage glass design was great and made from good printed material.
I arrived during Crystal Lake was performing at main stage area. Skipped the band and went for scouring the festival area to watch for any changes from last year edition. Reached the Obscure Stage at behind area and watched Exorcizphobia perform nearly the end of their show.
I arrived during Crystal Lake was performing at main stage area. Skipped the band and went for scouring the festival area to watch for any changes from last year edition. Reached the Obscure Stage at behind area and watched Exorcizphobia perform nearly the end of their show.
Exorcizphobia
Moving back to mainstage area and while waiting for Dope, we checked out Ne Obliviscaris. The band was good, performing with violinist, however progressive metal was not my liking.
Ne Obliviscaris.
One of my anticipated band to see on day 1 was Dope, Static X and Rivers of Nihil. Next was Dope and it blew me away. Short performance, probably the vocalist need to prepare his stuff as Xero for Static X.
Dope
Luckily the band somehow finished their set earlier which make me managed to get on back to Obscure Stage watching Rivers of Nihil. Unfortunately this time my favorite track The Void From Which No Sound Escapes was not in the setlist. It was OK, because this was my first time watching them live, but I've didn't managed to watch the last song, Where Owls Know My Name because rushed back to main stage area to watch Thrown.
We missed out the Free & Easy showcase few days earlier at Munich where Thrown was playing. This was the redemption hour to watch them again.
Thrown
I've went back to the Obscure Stage to watch Fleshgod Apocalypse. Last seen them 10 years ago. So much improvement and delivered the sound and energy at its best. I'm glad they played many songs from their latest album Opera (2024), consisting Ode to Art, I Can Never Die, Pendulum and Bloodclock. The band finished off with classic 2011 favorite, The Violation.
Fleshgod Apocalypse (previously Wacken 2014, Hammersonic 2014)
Next band was the purpose I've needed to attend Brutal Assault 2025. Personal bucket list since my school days, to watch Static X live (regardless without late Wayne). They didn't disappoint with their delivery of evil discotheque metal. Play lot of Wisconsin Death Trip materials. Armed with great props and showmanship, the rest was history.
First night was cold, at least for us as Asians, due to acclimatization, head back to tent to get ourselves sweater. Following nights was breeze and no longer chilled. Had to abandon Dying Fetus after Static X, regretfully even it is on my list of watch. Resume back for the show, with heavyweight likings Mastodon and Ministry on the mainstage back to back after one another.
The crowd was full occupied at the main stage area. Only managed to see from far behind with less enjoyment due to freezing weather condition (not very cold actually, but due to acclimatization).
I was freezing badly and move myself to back area looking for shelter indoor KAL stage. Before getting warm treatment, managed to see Between the Buried and Me playing entirely Colors albums at Obscure Stage.
Between the Buried and Me
Finish off the night with Rotting Christ, as I am seating at the natural stand uphill to get better view. Bearing the unfortunate seal of no - Fgmenth, Thy Gift even on my 3rd Rotting show. Funny, the played the track during encore at Bangkok last year. Rotting Christ deliver one of the most energetic amongst other bands performance throughout the festival beside those hardcore bands.
Rotting Christ (previously Wacken 2011, BA 2019)
skipped show with backdrop on day.1
Dark Angel and Skamold
day.2
Had enough rest last night and woke up early. Get a Bramborak for breakfast to power up my energy for the rest of the day.
The reason to woke up early was to watch the death metal band from Italy, Fulci. They have a good crowd support even in the early morning.
Siting on the plant at hill stand area having breakfast around 11.30am watching Fulci. Manage to watch another band played after Fulci while finishing the large Bramborak. The India extreme metal band called Gutslit. It was a fantastic afternoon since the crowd pledging for all these bands quite eventful.
Gutslit
One band caught off my radar but played nice was Australian Psycroptic. They performed after Gutslit. Raw death metal with slight technical at its finest. Got a melodic and nice sound setting. I was impressed by them as I watched them played until their last song.
As afternoon kicked in, the scorching weather was inevitable. I only managed to see only 1 songs from the math metal Car Bomb. Was not kind of my hearing. Sorry.
Car Bomb
After having a good rest at good shelter, its was time to resume for the heavyweights of the evening. Resuming the ears with Nile back to back with Gutalax.
Anything goes with death metal was OK for me. Missed out Nile during their visit to Singapore last year. Luckily they play a bunch of good stuff this time around.
Gutalax was one of the three bands during this festival had a pack solid crowd. Its was nearly immoveable except for those crazy moshing party army. Last Brutal Assault I've attended they was playing as early on 10AM, but the decision to put it on evening was great. Surfing toi-toi, raining toilet papers and Christmas tree doing circle pit. Crazy batshit :)
Gutalax (previously Brutal Assault 2019)
The crowd slowly dispersed after Gutalax to make way for the much modern metalcore, Kublai Khan TX. Just managed to see few songs while getting drinks for refreshments. Too much breakdown for me to take this band.
Kublai Khan TX
The memory watching Suffocation was still fresh on my mind during recent show at Jakarta last year. Slightly disappoint because playing nearly the same setlist as last year tour at Hammersonic, but don't get me wrong, they delivered it nicely.
Suffocation (previously Pulp Summer Slam 2015, Hammersonic 2016 & 2024)
While waiting for Landmvrks at the mainstage, I've went back to Obscure stage to watch August Burn Reds. They was playing SOAD's Chop Suey cover as intro.
August Burns Red (previously Wacken 2014)
Landmvrks was one the band I was anticipated to watch them live. Much more incorporating melodic arrangement metalcore band from France. They did a great show blending synchronic lyric on the background prop. May the future look bright for them.
As dark creeping the sky, it was Drowning Pool show. Getting more relaxed tone as the band clashes with the great Obituary. I've only watched Obituary few songs after finishing Drowning Pool set. Instant cult classic was played at the end - Bodies.
Drowning Pool (previously Hammersonic 2016)
Rushed to the mainstage area to get seating for Gojira (after Obituary). Managed to see Obituary played few songs. Its been quite a while seeing them playing live since 12 years ago.
Obituary (previously Hammersonic 2013)
Finally it was the night where the festival headliner make the entrance, Gojira. One of the two bands which had immovable solid pack crowd (check the video). I was not fond of Gojira music, but have to see them for their rapid achievement for the past few years, Their prop was escalated to another level.
It was difficult to move after Gojira set, so I just sit back and relax at the hill stand area resuming another headliner, Blood Fire Death, a tribute great music of Quorthon and Bathory. A stunning tribute for the band Bathory which left implication to me as the one of the founders of black metal Viking metal.
Having watched Fear Factory recently at last year Hammersonic, They played quite a different set compare to Jakarta, but exceptional for cult classic such as Demanufacture and Replica. The nearly all new line up was satisfying and hope the band can retain its line up for couple of years ahead.
Fear Factory (previously Hammersonic 2024)
Closing the night with one of the band which I've probably listened to Noorwan tape or zine (if i can remember) during high school, Absu. Not a fond of old school black metal, but just to get a glimpse of nostalgia that grew up with me.
Absu
day.3
I've decided to take a break and explore the city Hradec Kralove for having lunch, since the next band to watch today started around 4PM. It was just an hour away from the festival inclusive of walking and taking local commuting train.
I've reached back in time to watch Pig Destroyer playing their sets. A strong present of crowd was already marching in the main stage are. The first grind core for me in this year festival fall on the late 3rd day.
Halfway through Pig Destroyer, I've checked out Mantar at Obscure stage. The sludge metal duo from Hamburg delivered their songs sounding like a full basic band. I like the position of the drummer placement on side so that we can see some skill out there.
Hentai Corporation was next. A relaxing abstract trash band from Prague. Not to my liking due to complexity similar to Car Bomb. Was there to wait for evening trash heavyweights at the mainstage area.
Hentai Corporation
Asphyx come next, with the best sound setting I've heard so far at this festival. It was amazing for them to produce modern sound for some old school stuff. Coincidentally met another Malaysian attending the festival, Ashok from the band Malapetaka.
Overkill was another band with reminisce memory during my school days. The first ever trash album I've brought was their tape- Horrorscope. next to Nocturnus the Key (another bucket list of show). At the age of 66 this year, Bobby Ellsworth still stand strong delivery the band vocals. Unfortunately no Coma for us this time.
As night soars the sky, the most disappointing clash arrived for this festival. The split between Gaerea and Paradise Lost. It was unfortunate to split the band into half show each. Regardless, I managed to watch both bands in half. Gaerea from Portugal was quite new comer in modern black metal. A nice addition to solid popular modern black metal such as MGLA and UADA, They did delivered a good performance, but produce a lot of delay with unnecessary appraisal the organizer and fan speech.
I've just stayed at the same spot as Dimmu Borgir will play on the exact stage after Paradise Lost, but in between, there was classic black metal Mayhem. Can't even see a thing from this angle due to fog effects. Too boring for me for this old school black metal. Just have to listen while waiting next band.
Mayhem (previous Wacken 2011, Wacken 2024)
Dimmu Borgir comes next as the crowd was nearly as packed as Gutalax and Gojira previously. Great start with Puritania, but no instant classic Spellbound was played. Not sure they were in rush but they played quite short like an hour sharp instead of 1.30 minutes as slotted in the festival guideline. Band interaction and prop management was great.
Ended the night with slight Cult of Luna never lasting repeating riff of post metal stuff and did not survived long enough to repeat for Tsjuder since Wacken 2011 at Obscure stage.
day.4
A very hectic final day, as I consume almost all day to watch bands perform on this day. Started as early 11 AM to watch the Brazilian death metal band Crypta. A great Saturday morning introduction. The only regret is once played in morning, they have a shorter time, as this band played only six songs :(
With some spare time before Benighted taking over the stage, I managed to scour the merch area. Just to show some merch available during this year festival
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| Old norse jacket. very nice stich finishing. 90 euro is a steal for this quality. |
lots of LP.
Many many store selling shirts and vinyl.
official merch, long queue up to day 3.
As I reached the main stage area after break, To The Grave was playing few of their last songs before Benighted kicked in. So many Australian band this year!
To The Grave
Glad to revisit this band since their performance in Kuala Lumpur in 2017. Tight play as ever in my defense as hybrid grind/death metal.
Benighted (previously Kuala Lumpur 2017)
While others of my friend have gone for Crypta meet and greet session, I was hooked to another band that caught of my radar, Exhorder. The groove produced was there for me to stick listening to them to the very end.
"Harajuku-Core". Hanabie. Very unfortunate to sacrifice time slotted because of their early technical difficulties. It was super duper entertaining. Even during the malfunction session, the band managed to interact with the crowd cheerfully.
Hanabie. (pronounce as Ha-Na-Bie-Eey)
Grabbed a snack and watch another filler a replacement band Half Me.
Half Me
Next was Brujeria. A lot of Mexican crowd overwhelming them while performed. I was amazed by the headcount from Mexico attending this fest.
Brujeria (previously Hammersonic 2018)
I swear it was the hottest hour since day 1. Can even stand long to watch anything in the open space. All the shaded area has been occupied.
Next was Unleashed. I was excited as my first time seeing them, but I'm not so convincing by the sound setting which I found quite terrible to my likings. Quit them not because of the show, but can't stand the scorching heat.
Luckily the heat dissipate an hour later. Managed to check the post black metal, Harakiri For the Sky. Did not seen them entirely as I was rushing to the Obscure stage to watch my anticipated band in the festival, Envy.
.Next band was the most anticipated band to for me to watch for the day. Missed out twice (2019, 2023) on them while having shows in Kuala Lumpur. In fact during 2019, its was just merely 1km away from my house. Fate finally nailed the Envy shall be played 10,190km away for me to watch them live. I wasn't fond of post metal/rock, but Envy was on another level. Not a single track from the inspiring album Recitation (2018) but this show had my bucket list ticked with various albums post Recitation performed by them.
Missed out Kataklysm because of the clash between Envy. It was OK since I've already watch Kataklysm during Wacken 2011.
Next was Agnostic Front. There was no doubt age was not a reason to define hardcore band. They played like young kids delivering powerful performance. Then band end up with Ramone's Lets Go. Kind of weird but checked the crowd mood singalong setting a wonderful finish by them. I think I only watched 2 hard core bands at this year festival, the other was Thrown on previous day.
Agnostic Front (previously Brutal Assault 2019)
Then there were two heavyweights of progressive metal played back to back. Was not fond of this genre and only watch single song from Karnivool, then rushed to pack my stuff during daylight at the tent as we will moving out from the festival by early next morning. As I reached back mainstage area to watch The Halo Effect, I have to endure watching Opeth again as they were still playing middle set priot to The Halo Effect.
Opeth (previously Wacken 2014, Wacken 2024)
Finally The Halo Effect kicked in with a smooth performance. It was less than a year ago when I saw the vocalist, Mikael Stanned played in the same festival with Dark Tranquility. No Jesper on guitar (he was not on touring) but it was a worth of performance delivered by them.
As the crowded crowd dispersing after The Halo Effect, many still waiting for the last band at the main stage area, Dark Funeral. I wasn't so sure it was a great performance, look sluggish at my perspective, Probably I've seen better black metal performance prior to Dark Funeral during this festival. Just a few songs for me before I've moved out to Obscure stage.
Dark Funeral (previously Wacken 2019)
I have listened to Gost sound at spotify and was eager to see how the actual sound they delivered during live set. It was a blast. Instant favorite for me onward for the genre- Darksyth / Synthwave. A slight discotheque as the drunk crowd begin to dance along to the sound of the trance music. I supposed in my local scene this probably assigned as "Fengtau metal"
A great finish to this year Brutal Assault, as we rested indoor KAL stage getting the warmth and listening to gothic discotheque will waiting around 3.30AM to move to our tent to collect our stuff and move out from the festival.
KAL stage indoor sound doesn't bother us to have a power nap to prepare our exit in few hours.
We move out around 4.30AM from the festival to get the 5.40AM train back to Prague.
.encore / summary
green - successful compulsory watch
blue - successful optional watch
red - failed planned to watch
day 1
day 2
day 3
day 4
3.0 Conclude
my rating for best show BA 2025;
Best Overall - Gojira
Best Sound - Asphyx
Best Prop - Static X
Best Crowd - Gutalax
One of the most important highlight was the overall crowd maturity. Majority of the crowd respected the view surround them while doing some recording and taking pictures. For god sake, please just record your moment, as the full video usually available at social media platform. The stupidity DNA for those bearing selfie stick and such and those recording like nobody business will always be at any live event, but luckily it was nearly noticeable in this festival :)
There was feedback complaints on the sound for both mainstage. It was still enjoyable as this was a long festival, not a singular concert. Barely noticeable for me even on slight note for the overloud sound during Grave band set and Paradise Lost weird crunching sound.
The arrangement of bands selection was good. Organizer managed somehow limiting to metal and such only. Should kept it that way in future.
Lots of bee in the festival, like to sit and share my orange juice. Nice array of flavored ice cream.
For this year review, I did not include review on food and merch since it was almost as same as last year festival, you may check my writings from last year edition. Additional new food stalls at camping area was very welcoming.
I didn't event went scouring to all area this year. Missed out to observe the chili eating contest event. However I did notice additional prop, statues and art gallery set up in the festival. I also found out Gojira's drummer was selling his artwork in the gallery section.
Art
Booked the hill stand area to have a relax view. Worth of the money invested but need to be quick as it can quickly sold out.
Found out new kind of dance which I may expose to my local scene; credit to her(in the video)
It was a wise decision for the organizer to release festival merch daily with new shirt design. This decision somehow reduced the long queue as some would probably wait for their preferable design to be released on other day. The official band merch however may quickly sold out on daily basis. No complaint on the official festival merch price, as it was reasonable around 25 euro, 640 CZK per official merch shirt. The band merch can be slight expensive as the price varies.
Brutal Assault provided great meet & greet line up, although I never been bothered because of short session per band might look impossible to get a slot, as I am also much fond to watch band performing nowadays.
The shower at camp area was good and nice, at 30 CZK for 3 minutes on timer. Fair enough to get refreshed. Get naked and prepare those soap before putting the activation token.
For my own record, try to finish the cashless credit, as it would be refunded into Paypal instead back to credit/debit card.
Again, ALL the crowd were friendly and thank you for being part of my experience especially to the Czech people :) Thank you to Noorwan, Dikin & Nazri for being the part of the trip.
For the rest of my humble picture and videos - Brutal Assault 2025 Gallery
"Definitely will not be my last Brutal Assault"
Dekuju.