http://www.indystar.com (excerpt from:) 2003 was a Benchmark year for local music by David Lindquist December 19, 2003 Benchmark Records planned a big 2003 and then delivered the goods. That's the best way to summarize the year in local music. In addition to staging the third Midwest Music Summit and third Battle of the Bands, Benchmark thrived in its first year as an independent label with a roster of artists. Although company executives Josh Baker, Jeff Zuckerman and Mike Kenney have yet to hang a platinum sales award in their Broad Ripple headquarters, they're putting bands on the road and establishing the groundwork for a national identity. But is the music any good? Check these picks for Central Indiana's best recordings of 2003, where Benchmark resembles an emerging dynasty: 2. Devil to Pay, "Thirty Pieces of Silver" (Lax Wax/Benchmark Records). There's larger-than-life potential in Battle of the Bands winner Devil to Pay. The foursome is half-cartoon, half-bulldozer and all rock. In the old days, metal dudes tried to jump on the grunge bandwagon but often fell flat. Devil To Pay vocalist-guitarist Steve Janiak goes the other way. He's a grunge-era warrior who's transferred his smarts and hooks to metal.