THE last heat of the 2013 Okehampton Battle of the Bands took place in fine style in the Charter Hall last Wednesday, making it difficult once again for the judges — but a great night for the packed crowd.

First band of the night were Freedom Falls. The Okehampton-based line-up opened with a fantastically tight set reminiscent of the Kings of Leon meets U2 meets The Who. The only disappointment was the announcement that the lead singer was on holiday for finals day and so the band asked not to be judged.

Totally flip reversing the genres, next up was Chiyoda Ku. This young Exeter-based duo, guitarist and drummer, offered up complex and musically brilliant 'prog rock'.

Okehampton band DownFall were the next band on. Taking their influences from Sabbath, Guns and Roses and Motley Crew, they put on a show with loads of energy and enthusiasm, mixed in with some Alice Cooper showmanship — a top hat and a skull mask.

SkinDeep were the final act of 2013. The Crediton-based heavy rock outfit returned to Battle of the Bands and delivered their Metallica sounding set with confident efficiency. They were real crowd pleasers and another band with amazing energy.

While the judges deliberated on the scores the 2012 winners Badland Bandits played a fantastic headline set to a very appreciative crowd.

They mesmerised with their original material before finishing with the GnR classic, 'Paradise City' providing a very fitting end to a fantastic series of Battle of the Bands heats.

Winning heat three and joining 3's A Crowd and Ten Zero One at the Party in the Park final in Simmons Park on August 3 were the Okehampton band DownFall.

The judges also announced the wildcard placement which they awarded to Plymouth band, The 50 Shilling Tailors.

A spokesman for the organisers said: 'All three heats have been amazingly difficult to judge as the standard of the entries this year was higher than has ever been seen.

'Every year the , Okehampton Battle of the Bands seems to get better and better.'

The Party in the Park is in Simmons Park on Saturday, August 3 and starts at 6pm with the first band on stage at 7pm.

The headline act this year is Queen tribute, The Bohemians.

The spokesman added: 'The 2013 Battle of the Bands Committee would like to thank Stevens Estate Agents, The Okehampton United Charities and The Plymouth Inn for being the main sponsors for 2013 and also all the businesses and organisations in Okehampton that have given their support.

'Also a huge thank you to the public, who have really got behind this year's event and have given so generously.'

l Anyone who would like to see DownFall before August 3 can see them in The London Inn tomorrow (Friday).