Swedish hard rockers, CHRONUS, forges ahead with its brand of contemporary/modern hard rock on its second full-length album "Idols" (released April 24, 2020).

Formed in 2012, the quartet - featuring vocalist/guitarist Sebastian "The Baron" Axelsson, guitarist Svante Furevi, bassist Oliver Delander and drummer Adam Kapusta  - has a mystical-like quality to its image and sound. The band's '70s-inspired rock, mixed with NWOBHM elements, progressive influences and a poppy groove, hits the right spot.

From the infectious groove-based riffs of opener "Mountains of Madness," to the bluesy shuffle of "Heavy is the Crown," to the percussion-heavy opening of "Shepherd," CHRONUS has a fantastic knack for weaving sonically-charged tunes. Every one of the 10 tracks has something unique to offer. The one-plus minute instrumental "Sun" is a wonderful prelude to follow-up track "Pharos," which possesses poppy/commercial 80s twangy guitar melodies, while the heavy rocking of "Black Water" and the speedy vibe of "Memories" provides a nice cushion for the majestic closer and title track, exalting in a dramatic ending.

The Baron's engaging vocals throughout the 35-plus minute affair are fantastic; melodic, soaring, majestic and grandiose, while the instrumentation from the rest of the band is equally impressive. There's plenty of infectious melodies, proggy moments, heavy riffs and memorable segments.

Lyrically, the band's love of H.P. Lovecraft - most notably on "Mountains of Madness" - touches on the dark side of relationships. Motifs of human interaction, hope and personal emotions also shine through on tracks "Memories," "Pharos" and the ballad "My Heart Is Longing for You."

Although CHRONUS may still be unknown to most hard rock/metal fans, the amount of creativity the band put into this album is definitely worth checking out.