When Marcus Lundgren appeared on Swedish TV talent show Star Search he decided to be the late, great Bon Scott of AC/DC fame. He lost, but sometimes good can come from even the most disappointing defeat.

Watching television that night was Lars Boquist. The former Reptilian and Pole Position guitarist was mightily impressed and quickly invited Lundgren to audition for a new band he was putting together with bass player Jesper Lahn and ex-Miss Behaviour drummer Hampus Landin. When the three heard Lundgren, the final piece of Neondaze fell into place.

The plan was to perform powerful, riff-driven, melodic rock and they set out to write a set of hook-laden songs. Sweden has a thriving melodic rock scene and to make any impression their band would have to be very good indeed. The eponymous debut from the group achieves both goals, hitting most of the right targets in the process.

Neondaze rocks out with twelve solid tracks filled with enough hooks to reel in plenty of instant admirers. From the opening of “Intoxicated,” one of the most effective tracks on the album, you know this band is capable of making an impression.

Guitarist Lars Boquist is quite exceptional. In Lundgren they have found a vocalist with enough presence, voice, and talent to carry the band forward. With Landin and Lahn driving the band's tight and powerful rhythm section, Neondaze have delivered a highly effective first album. Never overstated and never overplayed, they write high quality rock tracks that showcase their indubitable talent and promise.

“Critical Mass” picks up where “Intoxicated” left off with a powerful piece of catchy, hard-edged rock. Who do they sound like? The band themselves describe their as containing "the power of Hardcore Superstar, the hooks of The Poodles, and the songwriting talents of Brother Firetribe."

Now maybe it’s just me having had too much vino collapso or too many late nights, but isn’t there just a hint of Autograph, a splash of Def Leppard, a brief dash of Kiss, and, dare I say it, The Darkness guitar mixed down in there too? Whatever it is, on a power melodic rock level it works.

Okay, there is nothing amazingly new here, but why should there be? The album is what it is and it's good at it. The songs stick and that's the whole point of melodic songwriting, isn’t it?

“Live For Tonight” has more than a hint of Kiss and “Crazy Crazy Nights” about it. “Caroline” offers with a nicely-paced breather highlighting Lundgren’s good, but not very Bon Scott, voice.

“Million Miles,” “Hold Me,” “Livin,” and “Stop Crying” all draw on various influences providing a strong midsection to the album. “Chains” is lifted nicely by Lars guitar work. “Evil In Mind” opens powerfully taking us back in time even further.

“Traitorous” leads into the highlight closer, the strangely titled “Oulbemi Vampire," a melodic ballad. This is eighties AOR done very well indeed.

Neondaze is a highly competent, easily digestible, radio friendly, and promising debut album. It leaves you knowing that there is plenty more where that came from and in the meantime gives us some well-crafted, well-played songs that stick in your mind. A promising debut.

You can visit band's official website or their Myspace profile for a listen.