Round 1 complete. Late and Loud moves to finals (11 photos)

Every Wednesday during the month of April, a special event will take place in the Sault's downtown.

The Rockstar Bar and Case's Music, in association with The Sault Metal Scene and The Rad Zone, are proud to present their 2013 Battle of the Bands.

Nine talented local bands will vie for a prize pack that includes $1,000 and studio time at Case's Music.

Kicking off the month-long event last evening at the Rockstar Bar were Sarah's Valley, Haggith, and Late and Loud.

Sault-lebrity judges Jay Case (Case's Music), Rob Figures (The Sault Metal Scene), and Len Ward (The Rad Zone) were tasked with critiquing each band on originality and stage presence, musicianship, crowd reaction, and professionalism.

Each of last night's performers brought something different to the table, had a definitive fan-base, and fought a valiant battle, but when the numbers were tallied it was the hard rockers of Late and Loud that reigned victorious.

With that win, Jonathan Tiberi (vocals, guitar), Ben Garside (vocals, bass), Josh Hatherley (vocals, drums), and Brendan Christie (vocals, lead guitar) move on to the final round taking place on Wednesday, April 24.

Two more qualifying rounds are yet to come.

Round 2 on Wednesday, April 10 will host Northern Tragedy, Pesto Shirts, and the Suicide Kings.

Giwakwa, The Bear Hunters, and Sykotyk Rampage will duke it out in round 3 on Wednesday, April 17.

Performances begin at 10 p.m. at the Rockstar Bar, 864 Queen Street East.

You must be 19 or older to attend and admission is $3 at the door.

Admission to the April 24 final battle is $10.