DARKNESS SURROUNDING were formed in 2017 and they are from Wuppertal, Germany. The melodic Death Metal band released two EPs and one full-length album so far. Their sophomore album "Is There Salvation?" was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Andi Herr (ALMANAC) at Heyday Studios. It has a length of about 41 minutes, and it is an independent release. The album starts with the tension-building pre-lude "Is There…", leading into "Old Minds Go Blind". It starts with powerful guitar riffs, transitioning into the mid-tempo verse part. The vocals are two-parted: the female clean vocals drive the verses, while the male growls lead the bridges, the choruses, and the break. The female vocals vary around the medium end of the vocal range with a few tonal shifts towards higher notes. The male growls vary between the deep to the medium end of the guttural range. The tempo of the track includes some parts at a measured tempo with dark and epic melodies. One highlight of the song is the contributing lead guitar solo during the break. Altogether, it is a very strong opening track of the album. "Choke On Your Mistakes" is introduced by the main guitar riff at a measured tempo. The vocals alternate between the female clean vocals and the male growls. The melodies are orientally inspired. The guitar riffing is punishing and accompanied by a lot of double-bass drumming and a few blast-beats. There is a break built into the song, but it is a rather short one and it includes a lead guitar solo. The track is a real head-banger and an early album highlight.

"Achromatica" continues with the oriental vibes, and the track is introduced by the guitars, leading into a verse part at mid-tempo. During the verse part, the female vocals start, and the growls take over a bit later and drive the track forward. The guitar riffing is punishing, while the melodies are grim. The break slows down to a measured tempo, where some melancholy is introduced into the track. The lead guitar solo is very contributing and a highlight of the track once again. "Achromatica" is the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below. "Virtue's End" has a slow start with the guitars, the female vocals, and the strings, however, there is a quick turnaround, when the blast-beats and the growls kick in and the track develops into a mixture between mid-tempo and measured tempo. The melodies are dark and melancholic during the chorus parts that are driven by the female vocals. The melancholy in the melodies are also evident during the short lead guitar solo. As the album continues, the melodies of the tracks get darker. "Chained Eternally" starts with doom-laden melodies, leading into a verse part at a measured tempo. The guitar riffing is powerful throughout. Most of the track is driven by the female vocals, with the chorus parts include some progressive twists. The track concludes with another contributing lead guitar solo. "Through History's Lens" starts with the drums and crunching basslines, transitioning into thunderous guitar riffs at mid-tempo for the verse part. The male growls start the track alternating with the female clean vocals. It is a very heavy track in particular during the verse parts and the bridges, while the choruses are focusing on a catchy melodic delivery.

"Portrait Of Solitude" starts with the guitars and the strings, leading into a mid-tempo verse part with devastating guitar riffs and the male growls. After a short bridge transitioning into a fast chorus part delivered by the female vocals. The break is an abrupt slowing down of the track with the guitars and female vocals driving the first part of the break. The second part of the break is crushing with thunderous guitar riffs, the growls, and the lead guitar solo. "Lethargy" is introduced by the guitars, transitioning into a fast verse part with punishing guitar riffs and the growls. The transitions between verses and choruses are abrupt with a mid-tempo delivery of the choruses driven by the female vocals. The melodies remain dark and during the break, some traces of melancholy are introduced. Highlight is once again the very contributing lead guitar solo. The album finishes with the guitar outro "…Salvation?", which together with the opening pre-lude completes the title track.

DARKNESS SURROUNDING offer a good second full-length album. "Is There Salvation?" has the best elements of traditional melodic Death Metal: powerful guitar riffs, dark melodies, and great lead guitar solos. Some of the tracks are crushing, while others emphasize on a delivery of melancholic melodies. The combination of male growls and female clean vocals add an additional layer to the album. The album is well produced. DARKNESS SURROUNDING establish themselves in a very crowded melodeath market and fans of the genre can be delighted with the songs on "Is There Salvation?".