UKHC stalwarts KNUCKLEDUST are no strangers to Ieperfest and their loyal Belgian fan base were out in force to greet Pierre and Co. In addition to staple KD classics like “25 Years Dead” and “Dust To Dust” the band aired a couple of tracks from their new album “Bluffs, Lies, Alibis”. Wema's trademark chunky riffs came to the fore in “Barbed Wire Noose” but it was the title track which really saw bodies pile upon bodies to get in on the spine-tingling chorus. It was a typically powerful set and merely served to undermine the next band to take to the main stage... 

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY.  Back as a crossover three piece with Pepper Keenan committed to Down, Mike Reed combined bass duties with the vocals. The first time I saw COC it was in front of 80,000 people at Donington in 1995. To see them wilting in the heat in the middle of a Belgian cornfield in front of a few hundred people brought a sense of sadness. The band clearly enjoyed themselves but, as emphasized by a static head-scratching crowd, COC were simply out of place on this occasion. 

It was standing room only, however, for the first CROWN OF THORNZ gig in 14 years. The NYHC legends, despite having their set cut short due to late running times, gave a 30 minute performance of hi-octane, rib crunching riffs that had the crowd rabid for more. Playing cuts from the acclaimed “Mentally Vexed” album and “Train Yard Blues” EP COT didn't let up with Danny Diablo, as always, in fine form on the mic. “Icepick” whipped the already frenzied crown into a state of delirium whilst the groove in “Mental Masquerade” had heads moving at the back of the field. Set closer “Juggernaut” saw hardcore fans of all ages hurriedly climb onto the stage, myself included, to share the mic and a moment with one of hardcore's most understated bands. Welcome back. 

Belgian legends and forefathers of the country's H8000 scene, CONGRESS were the band I was most looking forward to at Ieperfest. Their inclusion essentially swung it for me to attend. Despite having not played a show for several years the five piece flew out of the traps like they'd played several times a day for the past few months. Tight, intricate and intense, the Congress experience is a fierce and, ultimately, rare one.  Riff after urgent riff is delivered over cacophonous drums and an evil bellow. Unsurprisingly, the locals went beserk throughout as “The Release” and “Flame” proved particular highlights. Bodies stacked high on the stage during “Lifting The Ban”. If Congress had any sense they'd lift their own self-imposed one after this triumphant return.

AGNOSTIC FRONT put on a typical headliners performance later that night with their lengthy set resulting in plenty of grab-the-mic sing-a-longs and a stage invasion during “Gotta Go”. 

IGNITE without Zoli just isn't the same and so it proved when they hit the stage as night crept in. With their dynamic singer recovering from back surgery it was left to Sensefield frontman Jon Bunch to fill his shoes. He made a decent fist of taking on Zoli's big harmonies and the Orange County veterans were afforded a decent response ahead of headliners SICK OF IT ALL.

Like AF what can you say about a band that has been around for more than two decades that hasn't already been said? Lou and the boys certainly haven't lost the appetite for it, that's for sure. Possessing the boundless energy of pre-schoolers during breaktime, these NYHC stalwarts blasted through the usual set of crowd-pleasers (“Step Down”, “Scratch The Surface”, “My Life”, “Die Alone”) but, always one to surprise, they give “World Full Of Hate” a rare airing. 

CRUEL HAND then turned in an energetic performance in the sunshine, their thrash/hardcore crossover an ear-shattering treat, especially those refined head-banging anthems off their last album “Lock and Key”. The Maine boys did good.

Relentless tourers TERROR are always a good bet for a solid, whirlwind set and so it proved. As always, Scott Vogel and company are a terrific live act and their intensity was matched by those in the eager crowd. Being the music snob I am, they never play enough off their breakthrough EP “Lowest of the Low”, but other choice cuts were played as the Belgian cornfield was pulped into submission. Much is played off “Keepers Of The Faith” including the title track, “Stick Tight”, “You're Caught” and “Your Enemies Are Mine”. Can't wait for the next album.

The tent was rammed for local heroes RISE & FALL, and they didn't disappoint. Their slamtastic blend of Integrity-esque dirge and breathless vocals have made the Gent quartet a fearsome live act, even more so following the release of their stunning recent album “Faith”. Stand out track from that, “Hidden Hands” tore faces off whilst oldies like “Bottom Feeder” sounded as fresh and relevant today as they did then. Awesome stuff. 

Their contemporaries CONVERGE, however, offered such a slow start on the main stage that many, myself included, streamed for the exits. A critically acclaimed, genre-bending band they may be but Jacob Bannon and his not so merry men appeared to be anything but the insane live act from which they have built their reputation upon. It was a somewhat flat end to an otherwise fantastic festival.