Lars Boquist – Larser Than Life (CD)

That has to be THE worst album title of the year… and it’s just my sense of humor! Lars has previously played with bands like Dizzness, Pole Position, Reptilian and Neondaze. Now, Lars has released his first solo album. The album kicks off with the melodic instrumental ”iSong”, followed by “Rushed” that continues in the same vein. It’s quite friction free with good melodies and great guitar playing. Lars, who plays guitar and some additional bass has used the services of drummers Gustav Liljenström and Magnus Jacobson and bass player Johan Helander. Singer Leo Nielsen also helps out as well, and he does a fine job on the melodic rocker “Shooting For A Falling Star”. This is not really a shredder album in the 80s sense. Lars has instead gone for classic hard rock sound and melodic songs with the guitar playing vocal lines. I will admit, it’s by no means revolutionary. But, it’s a good and easy listenable album! It kinda reminds me of the stuff Norwegian guitarist Mads Eriksen used to do in the 90s, but not many do today.

Janne Stark

Label: private

Country: Sweden

Year: 2016

Link: www.larsboquist.com

NEONDAZE - Neondaze (CD)

Anyone remember a Swedish band that released a couple of albums in the nineties, called Pole Position? If you do, their guitarist Lars Boquist, a highly underrated one I might add, is now back in action walking the same old path he once created. Neondaze truly sounds like a Pole Position of the new millennium. Stylewise, soundwise and even the new singer Marcus Lundgren sounds very similar to Pole Position vocalist Jonas Blum. Dated? Nope. Some may also remember Lars from his melodic power metal band Reptilian, and even if there are some minor similarities, this is much better in my book. Besides Lars and Marcus, Neondaze consists of Jesper Malm on bass and Hampus Landin on drums. There are some outstanding heavy hitters on this album, such as the slightly Def Leppard-goes-heavy sounding “Livin” with Lars’ guitar slicing the air like a giant razor. Not to forget the subsequent stomper “Stop Crying” and album opener “Intoxicated”, which could be added to the “Highway Soundtrack #1” compilation. However, just like TNT, with whom they also have some similarities, just listen to “Evil In Mind”, there are a few songs that just won’t stick. “Critical Mass” is one I just can’t get a grip of and the ballads “Caroline” and album closer “Oullbemi Vampire” just won’t do it for me. Nice to see Mr Boquist back in action, and great to hear he’s still got the chops. A CD well worth checking out.

/Janne Stark

Genre: Melodi metal

Label: Music Buy mail

Country: Sweden

Year: 2008

Website: http://www.neondaze.net/