BRUTAL ASSAULT 2026: 4 THRASH METAL BANDS YOU CAN´T MISS

The Brutal Assault 2026 Festival will feature over 140 bands. All metal styles will be represented there, from classic heavy metal to grindcore and everything in between. Death metal, black metal, thrash metal, metalcore, everything will be on the Festival. And we can recommend you some bands that you can´t miss. Some of them are classic, some of them are underrated. 

DEMOLITION HAMMER

This band from New York, formed in 1987 can be characterized by a brutal sound that has evolved throughout the years adding some groove metal and death metal elements to their original sound. The band has released three albums that are classics of the style: "Tortured Existence" from 1990, "Epidemic of Violence" from 1992 and "Time Bomb" from 1994. After the third album the band broke up from 1995 to 2016 before reuniting. Since then, they have not released a new studio album. Their most recent line-up feature three classic members: Steve Reynolds on bass and vocals; James Reilly on guitars and Derek Sykes on guitars. Plus, they have added Angel Cotte on drums. You can´t miss this band if you are into intense and aggressive thrash metal.

VIO-LENCE

Another really underrated band with killer musicianship and total power. Maybe you have listened about the band because it featured Machine Head´s Robb Flynn in their classic era. It has also featured Phil Demmel on guitars who plays in Kerry King´s band and also on Metal Allegiance. Besides he has played and toured with Overkill, Lamb of God and Testament among others. Vio-lence has released three classic albums: "Torture Tactics" in 1988, "Oppressing the Masses" in 1990 and "Nothing to Gain" in 1993. The band went on a long hiatus after the third album and they reunited a couple of times before their more prolonged reunion that started in 2019. Since then they have released the EP "Let The World Burn" from 2022 and also a demo compilations in 2023. Their line-up only features Sean Killian on vocals from their classic era and they have added Ira Black on guitars and vocals who playd with Lizzy Borden, Vicious Rumors and Dio Disciples among others; Nick Souza on drums; Jeff Salgado on Bass and Claudeous Creamer on guitars who has played with Possessed, Sadus and Dragonlord. We strongly recommend to not miss these guys on the Brutal Assault Fest.

 METAL CHURCH

A classic thrash metal band that has been around since 1980. The band has released incredible thrash and power metal albums throughout all its history. The band features only original member Kurdt Vanderhoof on guitars and long time guitarist Rick Van Zandt who has been on the band since 2008. Besides, Metal Church has a killer rhythm section featuring former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and Flotsam and Jetsam, Fifth Angel drummer, Ken Mary. Plus the band will be on the Brutal Assault presenting their new vocalist Brian Allen who is in the band since 2025 and is replacing the charismatic Mike Howe who passed away in 2021.

MORTAL SIN

Coming from Australia this is another truly underrated band that is an essential part of metal history in Oceania. Formed in 1985 the band has released classic thrash metal albums such as "Face of Despair" from 1989 and "Every Dog Has It´s Day" from 1991. After some break ups and reunions the band is back since 2025 featuring original members Andy Eftichiou on bass and Mat Maurer on vocals. This line-up also features longtime members Nathan Shea and Ryan Huthnance on guitars. Plus they are welcoming drummer George Delinicolis who has played in Bastardizer and Bane of Isildur. The band´s latest album is "Psychology of Death" from 2011 so maybe we can expect some new music from them.

More info on the bands: https://brutalassault.cz/