Ding-ding! Welcome to round one of our new weekly war of the great unsigned!

The gloves are off for the first of our new weekly battle of the bands. The idea is simple: every Friday we’ll give you access to two unsigned bands. Download their songs and then vote for the band you like the most. The following Friday we’ll count the votes – and the winner will get a spot on a forthcoming Classic Rock magazine CD, taking their music to 70,000 rock fans.

So without further ado, here’s this week’s contenders:

Federal Black 40

Cambridge four piece Federal Black 40 formed early last year and have already supported the likes of Soulfly, Hawkwind and Chris Shiflett (of Foo Fighters fame), recorded a 5 track EP and been selected to play this year’s Surface Unsigned festival. Claiming influences from GN’R, The Almighty, Jet and AC/DC, their track The One showcases their intense, visceral style – packing melodies alongside a punky hard rock punch. Do they convince the hardened veterans of Classic Rock land? You decide.

Download Federal 40’s track The One!

To vote for Federal Black 40, send an email entitled ‘Federal’ to classicrock@futurenet.co.uk

For more FB40ness, visit their Myspace page.

The Deadly Romantics

Fronted by a mad Canadian called Thunder, and based in Glasgow, an early incarnation of the Romantics had the council-bothering name of Thunderfuck and the Deadly Romantics. Relocating to the UK in 2007, Thunder dropped the ‘fuck’, picked up two new reprobates and set about creating the unholy din you have before you. Influenced by Rose Tattoo, AC/DC, The Quireboys and Zodiac Mindwarp, the Romantics, they play sleazy rock’n’roll. But to an audience weaned on the stuff, can they cut it? Download their track Fucked By Rock’n’Roll and then you tell us.

Download The Deadly Romantics track Fucked By Rock N’ Roll!

To vote for The Deadly Romantics, send an email entitled ‘Deadly’ to classicrock@futurenet.co.uk

For more romance, visit the band’s official website.

It’s north versus south! England vs Scotland (and Canada)! Angst versus sleaze! Who do YOU prefer? Vote now and add your comments below! Voting closes Thursday 19 March, result revealed next week. One vote per person, multiple votes from the same email address will not be counted.

(If you’d like your band to be considered for Battle of the Bands, send CDs to Scott Rowley, Classic Rock, 2 Balcombe St, London NW1 6NW.)