Soaring, dramatic and moving, The Light Within introduces Surma as one of the most riveting symphonic metal bands on the contemporary scene. Spread out across 13 tracks in 47 minutes, there is not a moment wasted as they weave their epic stories of optimism around music that is suitably gigantic but compressed into relatively short songs. "I think the real message of the album is to give hope to everyone, no matter what they are struggling with," states vocalist Viktorie Surmøvá, best known for her work with Bohemian Metal Rhapsody.

Teaming up with guitarist/vocalist Heri Joensen of Týr, the band began in 2018 and spent most of 2019 writing, arranging and recording the music that would comprise their debut. Starting from vocal melodies and building the songs up around them, all are very dense, rich with orchestrations and searing guitar and propelled by driving rhythms. Despite being very cinematic sounding, cinema was not in fact an influence on the musicians, Surmøvá stating that she is most inspired by the predominantly Dutch symphonic and progressive metal she listens to. It was also important to her that a diverse range of emotions be expressed on the record, which did not come easily. "We were really trying to keep all the emotions I felt from each sculpture that inspired me for the lyrics. I was trying to give each song a different emotion than any other on the album.”