Brutal Assault metal festival draws thousands to Josefov fortress

The 29th edition of the Brutal Assault extreme‑music festival opened in the baroque fortress of Josefov, Jaroměř, on 5 August and will run until the night of 8 August. Organisers expect tens of thousands of fans from many countries and have booked more than 160 bands. Headliners include American acts Body Count and Primus, Norwegian group Wardruna and Finnish death‑metal band Waltari, whose one‑off concert will be accompanied by the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague.

To cope with the summer heat, the festival provides free drinking water, misting stations and expanded shaded areas. Police have increased patrols inside the venue and in the surrounding town, advising visitors to use public transport and leave cars at designated parking zones. The event also features workshops, lectures and exhibitions alongside the music performances.