For those of you that have been to Ypres, you will know what a beautiful town it is. Situated in the West-Flanders region of Belgium, it is rich in World War I history, and filled with wonderful architecture such as The Menin Gate, and the stunning Cloth Hall that is the centrepiece of the Grote Markt. It has also been home to one of Europeâs premier festivals of aggressive music for the last 22 years in the shape of Ieperfest, and 2015 is no exception, as the festival returns for its 23rd Edition.
Fiercely independent, Ieperfest has gained a reputation as being an important stop for many bands touring Europe each summer, and a place where some of the most important bands in our scene choose to play exclusive shows. There is more than just music to Ieperfest as well, as they promote the finest vegan food you will find at any festival, and provide a platform for many organisations to voice their opinions on animal rights, environmental issues, and more.
Despite the weather that plagued the Friday and Sunday of last yearâs festival, there was a world exclusive from a returning No Warning, a wild set from Turnstile as they made their first trip to Europe, and Morning Again playing a one-off show with Damien Moyal on vocals for a set comprised of only their early material. That was just a few of the highlights, and this yearâs line-up is set to raise the bar once again. While it would be impossible for us to cover all of the 80+ bands playing across the Main, Marquee, and Trench stages, we have picked out what we believe are 15 of the must-see acts at this years event.
We will be bringing you all the action from the festival this year, and you can use the #PTIeper hashtag  on our Twitter and Instagram accounts across the weekend to stay updtated.
Lets start with Friday..
DisXease
The Trench Stage
This intense vegan straightedge band are coming all the way from Sao Paulo, Brazil to share their message with you, Â and are one of the unmissable smaller bands of the weekend. DisXease are not for the faint of heart, and are destined to make you pay attention to their politically fuelled hardcore punk, that will open your eyes to the ills of this world.
Give
The Trench Stage
Thereâs no mistaking that Give are a hardcore band at the core, but there is so much more to them than just that. Their sound is a throwback to âThe Revolution Summerâ of Washington D.C circa the mid 80âs, and they back it up with an incendiary live show. With them being on the smaller Trench stage, it is the perfect setting for their performance that will surely be filled with blood, sweat, and tears.
Sweet Jesus
Main Stage
When Boston straightedge icons Have Heart disbanded in 2009, a huge hole was left in the hardcore scene. Now vocalist Pat Flynn has returned with Sweet Jesus, who also feature members of Dropdead, Fucking Invincible, and Soul Control among their ranks, and are bringing their heavy, old school inspired hardcore to Europe for the first time.
Ceremony
Main Stage
They may not be the same band they were the last time they played Ieperfest, and their new album âThe L-Shaped Manâ saw them move further from the frantic cacophony of their early albums. They are still very much a punk band at their core, and if their staggering performance at Groezrock earlier this year is anything to go by, be prepared for both heartbreak and chaos from Ceremony.
Judge
Main Stage
They said it would never happen, that there was no chance of Judge reuniting. It turns out all the superlatives they used were wrong, and Judge returned to the hardcore scene a couple of years ago, almost by surprise, and to critical acclaim. Anyone who has witnessed the sheer force that this legendary New York hardcore band bring during their live show will know how special there first ever performance on the main stage at Ieperfest will be. The storm is comingâŚ
And on to SaturdayâŚ
Loma Prieta
The Trench Stage
For 10 years, Loma Prieta have carved out a name for their self in the hardcore scene, and have becoming a force to be reckoned with. They decimated Ieperfest back in 2013, and now armed with their new album âSelf Portraitâ due later on this year on Deathwish Inc, they will bring the Trench to its knees during their Saturday performance.
By The Grace Of God
The Marquee Stage
In somewhat of a reunion for the Saturday at Ieperfest, By The Grace Of God have returned to playing live shows after more than 10 years as they head out on the road with Trial. They carry an important and political message, and were arguably one of the most outspoken hardcore bands during their original run in the 90âs. With powerful tracks such as âBoy and The Riverâ and âDead Endsâ in their arsenal, By The Grace Of Gods performance will be one to remember.
Guns Up!
Main Stage
Arguably one of the most anticipated – and unexpected – reunions of the year, Boston hardcore kings Guns Up! will play their first shows since a brief return in 2009. Their initial run ended in 2006 after just over 4 years, and releasing one of the great modern hardcore records in the form of âOutliveâ. Expect plenty of stage dives, and sing-alongs during their explosive live show, which is an exclusive at Ieperfest this year.
Touche Amore
The Marquee Stage
Ieperfest may have one of the heaviest, and aggressive line-ups this summer, but there is still room for Touche Amoreâs emotive, and melodic hardcore on the bill. Never a band to put on a bad performance, and with a back catalogue of soul-stirring anthems such as âHome Away From Hereâ, and âJust Existâ, they will show how much they have grown since their appearance at this festival back in 2011.
Entombed A.D
Main Stage
So the band may have an extended name now and a few new members here and there, but this is very much Entombed. The same Entombed that released such furious punk metal classics as âLeft Hand Pathâ and the blistering âWolverine Bluesâ through the 90âs, and even in 2015 are still a terrifying force to be reckoned with. They told us that they were the most vicious of all, and if that is to be believed, then Ieperfest may not survive their Saturday main stage performance.
Finally, on the SundayâŚ
Rosetta
The Trench Stage
Self described as âmetal for astronautsâ; Rosettaâs monolithic post-metal certainly does sound like it has come from another galaxy. Over in Europe supporting their latest album âQunitessential Ephemeraâ, which is a brooding mixture of doom, metal, and ambient drone, they will shake the very foundations of Ieperfest.
Oathbreaker
The Marquee Stage
Make no mistake about it, Oathbreaker are one of Belgiumâs finest exports, and they are coming back to Ieperfest following a jaw-dropping performance in 2013. Fronted by the enigmatic Caro Tanghe, Oathbreakerâs blend of metal and hardcore is caustic, and at times terrifying, meaning this exclusive show in their home country will be something incredibly special.
Pentagram
The Marquee Stage
40 years is a long time to be in the game for any band, but doom legends Pentagram are still going strong, with no sign of slowing down yet. Whether you want to bang your head to âWhen The Scream Comesâ or get romantic with your girl during the seductive âForever My Queenâ, Pentagram will have you covered during their first ever Ieperfest performance.
Less Than Jake
The Marquee Stage
Always the perfect festival band, Less Than Jake are somewhat of a dark horse at Ieperfest given then nature of the rest of the bill, but just because we are enjoying a weekend of aggressive music, it doesn’t mean we cant have a little fun to close the festival on Sunday does it? Grab a few beers, grab your friends, and pack out the Marquee tent for what will no doubt be an unexpected highlight of Ieperfest this year.
Sick Of It All
Main Stage
What can be said about Sick Of It All that hasn’t been said before? Probably nothing, because anyone who is anyone knows that this legendary, salt of the earth hardcore band always deliver during their high octane live performances. They played a career spanning set at Ieperfest back in 2012, and now they can add tracks from the current album ‘Last Act Of Defiance’ into this years headline slot, and bring Ieperfest to a close in style.
This is just a handful of the bands that will be appearing across the weekend, and there is plenty more such as Birds In Row, All Out War, Biohazard, Caliban, Discharge, xRepentancex, and music from just about every corner of metal, hardcore, and punk for your enjoyment. Don’t forget to drop by the More Than Music tent where there will be discussions and talks from various artists and activists, and be sure to try some of the fantastic vegan food that Ieperfest has to offer. We will see you there, and again, remember to keep track of #PTIeper across our social media for all the highlights of the weekend.
Ieperfest takes place at the crossroads of Poperingseweg and Hazewindstraat, 8900 Ieper on August 14th, 15th, and 16th, with tickets still available from the official Ieperfest website.