Australian metal fans are a little stuck when it comes to festivals. There are a few in Australia, and nothing too crazy around Asia for us to enjoy. But when it comes to metal music, nothing beats festival season in Europe for metalheads. The summer in Europe is chock-full of massive lineups all across the continent with some of the biggest bands and experiences for all headbangers to enjoy. 

If you fancy a trip to Europe to experience these festivals, then I would recommend the Czech Republic for the Brutal Assault Festival. It is certainly worth the trip, and it offers one of the more intense and entertaining experiences you can have. This article will go through a bit of a guide for those considering heading over or who have just bought some tickets.

What is Brutal Assault?

This festival is held annually every August in the Czech Republic and is hosted inside an old military complex called Fortress Josefov, which is 130km from Prague. The festival is geared towards those who have a more intense taste for metal music. It includes a mix of death metal, black metal, grindcore, industrial, experimental and other genres. The setting is unique and you can see old stone walls, tunnels, military ruins and huge open-air stages that create an unmatched atmosphere. 

The event is usually held for about four days, with over 130 bands playing across multiple stages. Some of the bands that have played this festival in the past include Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse, Emperor, Napalm Death, Parkway Drive and Mayhem, to name a few. Most fans come for all four days, with most staying in town at nearby hotels and others opting to camp closer to the festival grounds.

Getting There from Australia

You’ll be travelling essentially to the other side of the world, so be prepared for a bit of a journey and lots of time sitting on a plane. Depending on where you are from in Australia, you’ll be flying from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Prague. But since there are usually no direct flights to Prague, you’ll need a stopover on the way, which is typically Asia or the Middle East. Tickets vary depending on the time of year, but during Brutal Assault, they’re typically quite reasonable.

After touching down, you’ll arrive in Prague but will need to take the train or bus to Jaroměř for about two hours. Most other festival goers who have come internationally spend some time in Prague before heading to the festival or even spending time there after it’s finished. Prague is a very beautiful city and I think it’s well worth it if you want to stopover with its array of beer halls, restaurants and music scene. While you’re in the area might as well make the most of it.

Tickets and Accommodation

Brutal Assault tickets are pretty reasonable for what you get out of a four-day festival, with the entire festival pass starting at about 200 euros, which is almost 400 Australian dollars. There is an array of options that also include collectors ‘ design tickets, kid passes, junior passes and disabled tickets that are less expensive. You can also get VIP lounge tickets at about 70 euros as well as other additional perks such as locker boxes, parking and bus tickets that can all be purchased on the website. 

As far as accommodation goes, you will have a few options to choose from, but book fast because many of the festival goers are booking well in advance. So I would plan this pretty early if you want the best options for accommodation. You can get in contact with a hotel or start scouring Airbnb options in the city of Jaromer. The Brutal Assault website also has online tickets you can buy for hotels or camping spots for your convenience, if you don’t want to look around separately.

What to Expect

If you haven’t explored European festivals or know much about Brutal Assault in particular, let me tell you that you’re in for a treat. Speaking from experience, this festival isn’t comparable to anything I’ve seen in Australia and an absolute buffet of international metal bands. 

You can expect a variety of metal bands, new and old. I was able to see Crossfaith from Japan, and Parkway Drive from Australia when I was at this concert, meaning that they have a good range of international performances. But there is also a good chunk of ambient and experimental acts during the night. It has something for all tastes, and you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to discover new bands.

The crowd is very diverse, and while you might think you’ll only be encountering Europeans, there are fans from all over the world, including Americans, Japanese and even fellow Australians. Surrounding the festival, you can purchase quality Czech beer, Eastern European food and plenty of vegan options. The festival has everything you need in terms of food, beverages to be really looked after and accommodation while overseas.

Tips for Australians

After my experience at this hectic festival, I think there are some things you should prepare for, the European festival vibe is pretty different to Australia. You will need to prepare a little more in advance and make some different considerations before you head hot. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Pack for Heat and Rain

While you’ll be there during the summer season with temperatures hitting over 30 degrees, you should also expect sudden downpours, as they are common in the Czech Republic. If I were to pack this time around, I would cover up with light and quick dry shirts or long-sleeve, take a hat and sunscreen, but also pack a light rain jacket just in case. The last thing you want to happen is to get soaked mid-festival without any options to cover up.

Keep Cash on Hand

Almost all the vendors at the festival will accept cards, but some stalls are cash only, and being an international visitor, you might run into problems using your card. When you arrive in Prague or even before, I would recommend keeping a large stash of cash handy just in case you need it. This could also be useful outside of the festival as you never know when you need some cash, whether you want to purchase some food, souvenirs or even in an emergency.

Learn Some Czech Phrases

It’s not typically necessary because most can speak English, and the festival does anticipate an international audience, but like visiting any country, learning some of the local language can go a long way. Before you hit up the country, learning a few phrases like hello, goodbye and thank you in Czech will be appreciated by the locals, and learning a new language can be fun even if it’s just a few words here and there.

Respect the Scene

The metal scene is tight-knit and close, with the community at Brutal Assault being very respectful, even if you’re an international visitor, most locals don’t appreciate bad attitudes or pushy crowds. Just enjoy your time there, respect the space, clean up your area and support the scene. The locals will appreciate it, and it helps foster the longevity of the festival. You want to treat it like your own backyard, and the other attendees like your family.