A POPULAR Colchester bar held the first heat of a world-famous metal festival's battle of the bands competition. 

Four incredible Essex-based bands, Blackwater Kings, Shattered Knees, Fallen Relic and Baby Doll, all performed amazingly on the night.

Each of them will be hoping to win a spot on the line-up for the New Blood stage at this year's Bloodstock, which has been held annually at Catton Hall, in Walton-on-Trent, since 2005.

In a three-hour-long competition full of heavy music, the bands involved really put in their all to impress the large crowd.

The opening act was Baby Doll who got the crowd going with a brilliant set of trap metal songs and even gave out free CDs afterwards.

Shattered Knees performed next and wowed the crowd with some amazing vocals and their metallic hardcore sounds.

Following them was Fallen Relic, a hard rock and groove metal band which impressed the audience with an amazing set of songs.

Last but not least were Blackwater Kings, a traditional heavy metal band, who ended the night by riling the onlookers into a mosh pit.

A few hours after the votes had been taken in, the event organiser, Ian, announced Fallen Relic and Blackwater Kings would be moving on to the next round. 

However, in a Metal 2 The Masses first, Shattered Knees were also invited to compete in Heat 4, as one of the bands set to play had to drop out due to medical reasons.

The next event will take place at Coda again, on March 21.