Heavy Sound Festival Revival

13/06/2026

𝙰 𝚏𝚎𝚠 𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚖 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙻𝚞𝚌 𝚆𝚊𝚎𝚢𝚊𝚎𝚛𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚢 𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍:

"June 12 marked the second anniversary of the unveiling of the Metallica Monument in Poperinge, Belgium.
We still look back with immense pride on this achievement, made possible thanks to the dedication of countless volunteers, supporters, and everyone who believed in the project.

Special thanks also go to Loes Vandromme, who immediately recognized what this could mean for Poperinge and helped make it happen.
Poperinge holds a special place in the hearts of both Metallica and their management team, and that is something we will always cherish.

It is also worth remembering that June 10 marked 42 years since Metallica played their very first open-air concert in Europe at the legendary Heavy Sound Festival in Poperinge.
In 1984, the band performed in Poperinge no fewer than three times, becoming part of the town's rich musical history.

A remarkable legacy, and a story that continues to unite metal fans from around the world!" 🤘

🎥 Watch Metallica's message to Poperinge:

Deze BOODSCHAP van Metallica hebben Rudy De Doncker en ikzelf op h...

10/06/2026

☆ 𝟜𝟚 𝕐𝔼𝔸ℝ𝕊 𝔸𝔾𝕆 𝕋𝕆𝔻𝔸𝕐 ☆

Motörhead
Twisted Sister
Metallica
Barón Rojo (replacing MANOWAR)
MERCYFUL FATE
Lita Ford
Faithful Breath
H-BOMB

06/06/2026

3 weeks since Heavy Sound! 🖤

This week’s spotlight goes to Raven's photogenic Gallagher brothers, John and Mark, together with their insane drummer Mike (also known from his work with Fear Factory and Abigail Williams, to name a few)! 🤘

Still hard to believe how fresh, fast and razor-sharp they sound after nearly 50 years of band history! 🤯
101% absolute legends, bringing chaos, high voltage energy, and a performance that made it feel like time stood still! ⚡

📸 by Schutz Franky • Moris DC • Mariel Rohrbach • Rudy Den Boncker • Jean-Christophe Baugé [Deadly Pix]

30/05/2026

Two weeks since Heavy Sound, and the dust in the Maeke-Blyde is still settling! 🤘

One of the absolute highlights was the first-ever appearance of Angel Witch in Poperinge!

With captain Kevin Heybourne at the wheel, Angel Witch sailed through a set with all the classics like 𝘈𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘴, 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 and 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥, closing in total style with 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 and the absolute anthem 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 - leaving the entire crowd singing along, completely under their spell! ✨

Enjoy these cool pics by Schutz Franky, Moris DC and Mariel Rohrbach! 🖤

26/05/2026

☆ 𝟜𝟙 𝕐𝔼𝔸ℝ𝕊 𝔸𝔾𝕆 𝕋𝕆𝔻𝔸𝕐 ☆

UFO
Slayer
Lee Aaron
Pretty Maids
Tokyo Blade
Tobruk
Crossfire
DORO 's Warlock

24/05/2026

Today, the Heavy Sound crew raises a drink to our dear friend Filip Hopbelt 🍻

A true lover of music, beer, and good company.
During one of his legendary beer tastings, Valerie and I received an original Heavy Sound 1985 poster from him, a gesture we will never forget! 🤘

Very soon, Filip leaves this world on his own terms, but he will forever remain part of the Heavy Sound family 🖤

Cheers, my friend.
Forever with us!

23/05/2026

Today marks exactly one week since Heavy Sound Festival 2026… and honestly, we still haven’t fully recovered from what happened in Poperinge last weekend! 🖤

What an absolutely incredible edition this was!
One that will NOT be easy to top.

Every single band gave everything they had on our stage… and Lee Aaron was no exception.

These amazing shots by our talented photographers Rudy De Doncker, Schutz Franky, Peter Peeters, Mariel Rohrbach & Moris DC perfectly capture the fire, energy, joy and passion she brought back to Poperinge after 41 years! 🤘

And let’s be honest…
in every possible way, she was even hotter than in ‘85! 🔥

What happened in De Maeke-Blyde last weekend was truly historical!
A respectful and heartfelt return of the original Heavy Sound spirit that once put Poperinge on the Heavy Metal map back in the '80s!

Nothing but respect for Lee Aaron and her absolutely killer band for giving Poperinge a performance we will never forget! ❤️

20/05/2026

Enjoy these first wonderful atmosphere shots from Heavy Sound Festival 2026! 🤘

Schutz Franky always captures the heart and soul of the festival perfectly! 🖤

19/05/2026

HEAVY SOUND IS BACK IN TOWN! 🤘
POPERINGE ROCK CITY IS ALIVE & KICKING!

Finally some time to make a proper 'thank you post'…
but where the f**k do you even begin when you’re completely astonished and almost speechless after a weekend like this?

So let’s start with a MASSIVE THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts and souls, to every single one of you who was part of Heavy Sound Festival 2026! 🙏

🖤 OUR WONDERFUL BANDS 🖤

Lee Aaron, Angel Witch, Raven, Girlschool, TYTAN, Elixir and Existance PLUS of course our resident DJ Alex Kayne!

It was such an incredible honor to have you on our stage, giving absolutely everything you’ve got!

Seeing all these legends hanging around De Maeke-Blyde, sharing stories, laughing together in our DIY backstage and then going on stage to absolutely destroy the place with raging oldschool Heavy Metal setlists…

Excuse our language, but we’re just so damn proud!

🖤 OUR INSANELY AMAZING CREW 🖤

Honestly, there are no words that can truly describe how thankful we are…

It’s only the 2nd year we’re organizing this festival, yet somehow we already found such an unbelievably talented, reliable, intelligent, hardworking and lovable crew.

• From our artist hosts and drivers, to our BBQ masters and our legendary Heavy Sound host…
• The crews at the bar, entrance, coupons and stage.
• Our fierce build-up and break-down warriors.
• My mom and dad at the HSF merch, the ladies at the band merch, the rock solid light and sound team from YPSILON SOUND and the backline from La Musica.
• As well as all our parking crews, first aid team, photographers, press, reporters, IT crew, our beamerman and every all-round helping hand behind the scenes, including our internal security team and FBS-security bv.

You're the beating heart of this festival! 💪

And of course… the absolute driving force behind Heavy Sound:
♠ The one and only ERIC DEROO
♠ The legendary Luc Waeyaert
♠ The sweetheart Franky Bruyneel

Valerie and I simply could NOT do this without you!

🖤 OUR VISITORS: THE HEAVY SOUND FAMILY 🖤

People came from all over the world, far beyond the Belgian borders, to celebrate Heavy Metal together in Poperinge! 🤘

Seeing the venue packed to the brim, hearing the crowd scream and sing along, seeing (and smelling) battle jackets everywhere, mazoutjes and metalhorns raised high and smiles all around…

That’s exactly why we brought Heavy Sound back to life!
Built out of pure love for the incredible Heavy Metal history of Poperinge, carried by friendship, passion and dedication!

THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU! ❤️

From Valerie & Jorg, with love.

So maybe… see you again next year? 🤘

📸 by Schutz Franky

16/05/2026

🔥 Girlschool SET MAEKE-BLYDE ON FIRE!

Wild, loud and rock 'n' roll! ♠️

Now on stage: Raven ! ⚡️