Not all battles are fought on the field, and not all weapons are meant to kill.

Toad Holler, 1820 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines, will host a battle of the bands competition, co-sponsored by Coors Light and Lazer 103.3, Jan. 14 through Feb. 18, that will showcase the best war cries of metal, progressive and industrial rock bands in the area.

The event has been held at Toad Holler for the last three years. The winner of each battle will be determined by a fan balloting system and will receive prizes including cash, studio time, gift certificates to music-related businesses in central Iowa, and an opening slot for a national band at Toad Holler.

“It brings in new bands,” says Lou McCormick, a coordinator for Toad Holler’s regular battle of the bands competition. He says he enjoys the battles because he appreciates “seeing young people enjoying their music.”

Most of the bands involved are weathered battle performers. Bronson Konopasek of Des Moines-based act Cruciful says his band can win the Jan. 21 battle, despite the fact that the group has only existed with its current members since last April.

“We’re tight,” Konopasek says. “We’ve got a pretty good fan base, and we think that the music we are playing is what people want to hear.”

The members of another Des Moines band, Killpact, have no fears about winning Wednesday’s battle. Rick Funderburk, vocalist for the group, says Killpact, which has been together for about two and a half years, boasts intense performances and has already had victory at a recent battle of the bands at The House of Bricks, 3839 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines. Funderburk says the group’s style is death metal mixed with speed metal and progressive.

“The musicianship in our band is untouchable for any other band in Des Moines, and our work ethic is excellent,” Funderburk says. “Performances are in-your-face, and we know what our goal is.”

Not all acts appearing in the battle will be playing heavy music, nor are they all concerned with taking home a victory. Adam Horning, sophomore in business and guitarist for Des Moines-based pop-punk band The Lifestyle, says winning won’t be the objective Jan. 28.

“Music isn’t about competition, but a battle makes it that way,” he says. “I don’t really like playing them that much, but we need the money.”

The Lifestyle has had its triumphs, winning three previous battles, but this is its first time at Toad Holler.

Donnie Mengwasser of Mindrite says he would agree. Although Mengwasser is a former member of Lost Thot — a band that won second place in the battle of the bands at Toad Holler in 2001 — he says Mindrite isn’t playing to win.

“We like the opportunity to play in front of people,” Mengwasser says, “and make people remember who we are and leave saying, ‘Man, maybe they didn’t win, but god, they were awesome.'”

What: Coors Light Battle of the Bands

Where: Toad Holler, 1820 E. Army Post Road, Des Moines

When: 7 p.m., Wednesdays through Feb. 18

Cost: $6

Jan. 14: Draine, Killpact, People in the Woods, Two Words

Jan. 28: The Lifestyle, Lesser Known Saint, Mindrite, Only

Feb. 4: Albino Spiders, Ephraim Zenh, Marcato, Pushing Earth

Feb. 11: Arius, Devil with Cheese, Fuzzhawg, Inner Element

Feb. 18: Hipnotyc, Stricken with Trip, Violent Impact, Wreckage of the Modern City