BRUTAL ASSAULT 2025 Kicks Off in Full Force – A Blistering Day 1 Video Recap

Following a blistering warm-up on Wednesday, the official first day of BRUTAL ASSAULT 2025 exploded into full force on Thursday, August 7, as the Josefov Fortress transformed into a battleground of sound, sweat, and sonic extremity. With the full-scale production in motion and all stages firing, fans were treated to an unforgettable onslaught from a wide spectrum of heavy music’s finest.

Modern metalcore juggernauts Crystal Lake tore into their set with unmatched energy, rallying a sea of fists and circle pits early in the day. The chaos only escalated as Thrown and Warbringer brought crushing grooves and old-school thrash fury to the battlefield. Industrial veterans Dope and Static-X delivered pounding nostalgia with mechanical precision, while Ministry turned up the intensity with a dystopian wall of sound that shook the fortress to its core.

As the sun set, the darkness took over — both sonically and visually. Dark Funeral summoned blackened chaos in a performance that was as ritualistic as it was relentless. Rotting Christ followed with their signature blend of atmosphere and aggression, offering a set that felt both spiritual and savage. Death metal titans Dying Fetus pummelled the crowd with surgical brutality, proving once again why they remain a cornerstone of the extreme scene.

Closing the night with fire and fury, Kerry King brought his solo material to Brutal Assault for the first time, riffing through a molten set that honored his legacy while forging something new. Mastodon delivered a masterclass in dynamics, balancing crushing heaviness with ethereal melody. Day 1 of Brutal Assault 2025 is in the books — and if this was the beginning, the fortress has much more devastation ahead.