When a young band describes itself as "In Flames meets Dream Theater, Opeth meets Children Of Bodom..." one can expect two things: either they stink and shouldn't quit their day job or they do sound like those great bands.
In case of young German band CONCEPT INSOMNIA I can only agree with them. Well, on the Dream Theater part, that is.
The band was founded in 2004 and released their first demo CD in spring 2006 named No Words that was even chosen demo of the month by German Rock Hard Magazine in September of that same year.

The compositions of Second Glance's four songs are well constructed, building up from a mid tempo haunting start to an overwhelming and somewhat delicious bombastic climax. The guitar parts are relentless and tight, the drumming very rhythmic with varied tempos, and the use of the keyboards a breath of fresh air and original. But all this is nothing compared to the vocal skills of Lukas Hofmeister. He sounds like the love child of Bruce Dickinson and James Labrie. Don't get me wrong: I just want to make clear to you how much I am impressed by this guy's voice and timbre. I cannot think of any other vocal style and tone that would fit this kind of bombastic rock opera metal more perfectly.
Lukas carries each of the four songs amazingly from beginning to end. If Dream Theater ever needs a new front man, look no further!
The growls by guitarist David Gahl are just great and truly menacing and sinister. I love the interaction between him and Lukas: it sounds like a demon trying to win over an innocent choirboy. Just the way we evil metal fans like it!

It is time that CONCEPT INSOMNIA releases a full-length album because this 4-track EP makes it perfectly clear that Germany is still a true rockin' nation with a band like CONCEPT INSOMNIA! Horns Up!!!