THE first quarter-final of this year's The Herald South West Battle of the Bands competition was a corker.

There was drama, energy, a wicked crowd and – most of all – four bands who pulled out magnificent sets.

But only two bands could go through to the semi-finals of our competition – and their names are Kernuyck and The Adventures Of...

And they both deserve their places in the final eight.

The opening quarter on Thursday at The Hippo, in Bath Street, saw the heat in the regional competition being turned up a notch.

All four bands deserved their places in the quarter final battle, but they each had to take their gutsy performances up to the next level to make it past the quarters.

And that's just what they did.

Fathom Fifteen, a unique metal act who sound like Lostprophets meets AC/DC meets Opeth, opened up the quarter-final stage with a block-rocking set which scored highly on the music but needed a sharpening up on the vocals.

The Adventures Of... followed up with a set from a Hammer Horror film. Which is a bonus in their case – because that's just what they do.

The indie-rock band, donned in tops, tails and phantom-white make-up, put on a real show straight from the circus. It was freaky and off-the-wall but effective and different – and the lads coped well when the bass drum skin snapped.

Cornish metal giants Kernuyck were on third and they played a masterful set which included some exceptional crowd interaction. They made the audience sit down for the start of one song before going ballistic.

Kernuyck – which means Cornish in Cornish, according to the band – played five high octane metal songs and just looked like they loved every minute. They are a real favourite in the competition.

Last up on the night was The Quantize, from Saltash. The indie-rock band brought an entourage to the gig and their fans were electric. And the lads put on an electric performance to complement.

The judges had a tough decision on Thursday – but it was eventually decided that Kernuyck and The Adventures Of... just shaded it and they will go on to the semi-finals.

Adam Hanington, who is believed to be 126 years old, is vocalist for The Adventures Of.... He said it was a night of drama due to the drum break, a jacket going on fire, an electric shock on stage and a 'crackhead' trying to mug a friend of the band in the streets outside the venue.

He said: "We will put on a proper show next time without things going wrong."

Dave Rotherham, drummer for Kernuyck, said: "It was a great night with really good bands. It's a great place to play and a great competition.

"Roll on the semi-finals."

The Herald's Battle Of the Bands will run throughout the summer. A total of 32 bands started in the competition a month ago. We're already down to 14.

The winning band will take a £1,000 prize from sponsor St Austell Brewery, four days' studio time at Plymouth's Deep Blue Sound and 200 CDs and digital distribution to iTunes from city firm www.thegenepool.co.uk – as well as other prizes.

The quarters take place throughout August, with the semi-finals on August 27 and September 3, and the grand final at The Hippo on Saturday September 12.

The second quarter-final this week will see The Teleheads, The Iconyx, Avalon Groove and Courting Summer on Wednesday night. Doors open at 7.30pm each night, with bands on from 8pm.

Check out the www.thisisplymouth.co.uk website for video footage of the heats.