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 Europe’s premier festivals of aggressive music for the last 23 years in the shape of Ieperfest, and 2016 is no exception, as the festival returns for its 24th 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.
While we would love to give you a run down of every band that is playing this year, we tasked ourselves with picking 18 of what we feel are the most unmissable at Ieperfest. From veteran hardcore bands to some of the hottest acts in metal, the 24th Edition of Ieperfest has something for everyone once again.
We will be bringing you all the action from the festival this year, and you can use the #PTIeper hashtag  on our Twitter account across the weekend to stay updated.
Lets start with Friday..
The Black Dahlia Murder
Following the 2015 release of their blistering seventh album, ‘Abysmal’, The Black Dahlia Murder showed they still have much to offer the death metal market. They last performed at Ieperfest in 2012, and now they will return with what will no doubt be a chaotic hail of blast beats and ferocious guitar riffs.
Tribulation
With the release of ‘The Children Of The Night’ last year, Tribulation cemented themselves as one of the premier bands in the metal community. The Swedish titan’s brand of blackened death metal is even more intoxicating live than on record, and their debut Ieperfest performance will is essential viewing for anyone in attendance.
Ghost Bath
It’s safe to say that Ghost Bath have been one of the most divisive bands to emerge on the metal scene in the last few years. The reality is that their 2015 album, ‘Moonlover’, was a depressive suicidal black metal masterpiece. Ghost Bath’s recent US tour has garnered them endless praise, and their first trip to Europe will no doubt be the same as they bring their mesmerising show to Ieperfest.
King Dude
Certainly a different sound compared to many of the bands at Ieperfest this year, but with a voice that Satan himself would be jealous of, King Dude’s bleak neo-folk is deserving of its place. If you are looking for something different to give you chills over the weekend, make sure you stop by for a sermon from this incomparable singer/songwriter.
Negative Approach
There are few bands that can only have one official studio album within a 35-year legacy and still be considered one of the greatest hardcore bands of all time. Negative Approach make it look easy, and since their return to playing live in 2006 they have shown the hardcore community how it’s done properly. These legends will no doubt be one of the highlights of the Ieperfest weekend.
Sick Of It All
Sick Of It All really need no introduction, and are no strangers to the Ieperfest stage. The New York hardcore legends put on a show stopping performance last year, so it feels only right they come back again as part of their 30th Anniversary tour. Expect classic cuts from their extensive back catalogue, and plenty of stage dives and singalongs.
And on to Saturday…
I Killed The Prom Queen
Having been one of the premier metal bands to come out of Australia for the last 15 years, I Killed The Prom Queen are still going strong. Their huge choruses that drop in between frantic guitar shredding will get people banging their heads. They are celebrating 10 years of their magnum opus, ‘Music For The Recently Deceased’, so will no doubt be playing a lot of classic cuts during their return to Ieperfest.
xBishopx
Formed from the ashes of Until The End and Remembering Never, xBishopx will be bringing their heavy hardcore to Europe for the first time since 2009. With a powerful straightedge message, a whole lot of groove, and fronted by the incomparable Mean Pete, xBishopx will no doubt set the mosh pit on fire at Ieperfest this year.
H2O
Arguably one of the most beloved hardcore punk bands of all time, H2O always give it their all during every live performance, and their Ieperfest slot will be no different. With last years ‘Use Your Voice’ being an instant classic, and a back catalogue stacked full of anthems, even the most jaded hardcore fans will be raising a smile on the Saturday. H2O Go!
Atari Teenage Riot
They saw the future of digital hardcore over 20 years ago, and now Atari Teenage Riot will be bringing their ferocious style of EBM to Ieperfest. It won’t be for everyone, but their cacophonous, blistering beats will make everyone in attendance want to move whether they like it or not.
Jello Biafra and The Guantanamo School of Medicine
When Jello Biafra took to the Ieperfest stage in 2013 he absolutely stole the show. Now he will return to show exactly why he remains relevant in 2016. You can expect tracks from their 2013 album, ‘White People and The Damage Done’, as well as plenty of Dead Kennedy’s classics thrown in for good measure.
Cro-Mags
In 2016 it would seem that Cro-Mag’s classic album, ‘The Age Of Quarrel’, is more important than ever before. The band broke the mould of metallic hardcore in the 80’s, and they continue to be on top of their game with each passing year. Their return to Ieperfest will no doubt be hard-hitting and filled with classic Cro-Mags anthems such as ‘It’s The Limit’ and ‘We Gotta Know’, and essential as always.
Finally, on the Sunday…
Ironed Out
Another one of the fine UK hardcore bands to be featured at Ieperfest this year. With their members collective CV featuring stints in Proven, Knuckledust, Crippler, 50 Caliber, and more, Ironed Out are no strangers to heavy hardcore. Having already gained praised for their crushing live show, their Sunday afternoon slot will shake off any cobwebs from the night before.
Dying Fetus
Having been one of the premier death metal bands in the scene for the last 25 years, Dying Fetus will be unmissable at Ieperfest. They made a staggering return to form on their 2012 album, ‘Reign Supreme’, showing they are still on top of their game. Their complex song writing, monolithic breakdowns, and brutal blast beats will knock you for six and shake off your Sunday hangover.
Reagan Youth
After become one of the most political and powerful bands to blend hardcore and anarcho-punk in the mid-eighties, Reagan Youth are one of the most influential bands in the scene. After the tragic loss of their original vocalist, Dave Rubenstein, it seemed unlikely they would ever play again, so they are going to be essential viewing at Ieperfest this year.
Knuckledust
Twenty years into their career and Knuckledust are still going strong, and undeniably the best band in UK hardcore. They make their return to Ieperfest after 5 years, and their recently released sixth album ‘Songs Of Sacrifice’ showed they haven’t lost any of their power. Knuckledust will be representing the UK in style this year, and you can expect plenty of carnage during their set.
Iron Reagan
Everyone enjoys a good party to a thrash band, and no one brings the party like Iron Reagan. Featuring Municipal Waste legend, Tony Foresta, their short, sharp bursts of fury bring the final day of Ieperfest to a close perfectly. Just watching out for whirlwind circle pits and dozens of bodies hurling themselves from the stage to this excellent band.
Agnostic Front
These NYHC veterans are returning to Ieperfest once again this year, and if their 2012 set is anything to go by, they will once again be unmissable. With Agnostic Front’s career now spanning over three decades, and a back catalogue for off classic hardcore anthems such as ‘Gotta Go’ and ‘Once Voice’, you can expect plenty of singalongs with this timeless band.
This is just a handful of the bands that will be appearing across the weekend, and there is plenty more such as Broken Teeth, Chaos UK, MDC, Pro-Pain, Reproach, Goatwhore, 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 on Twitter for all the highlights of the weekend.
Ieperfest takes place at the crossroads of Poperingseweg and Hazewindstraat, 8900 Ieper on August 12th, 13th, and 14th, with tickets still available from the official Ieperfest website.