Review Summary: originality is lacking, but it's still loads of fun.
If you thought I Am Abomination’s last album,
To Our Forefathers, was pretty goofy, you haven’t seen anything yet. While their previous album was loosely based around a concept,
The Passion Of The Heist is an unashamed concept EP – I’ll give you one guess what the story is about. If you guessed that the story involves aliens from outer space abducting someone, dissecting him, and eventually killing off the human race, then you are correct! If any band could do this concept properly, it would have to be this one right? With their technical riffing, generally fun attitude, and random sci-fi sounds/synthesizers, they could definitely present this cheese on a platter of good music. In fact, they have, and it’s time to take notice of this band. They definitely aren’t breaking new grounds with their story about an alien invasion, but they sure know how to tell it.
A sea of eyes beneath me.
They're watching me as I increase in altitude.
Though my future is tainted, what a beautiful view.
Scared to death, on the edge of distress.
My blood is pumping, heart is racing as I enter the nest.
With an EP such as this, it gives the band good reason to fool around, and that’s just what they do. However, this isn’t a fun encounter with aliens, which the ominous, vivid lyrics remind us. Also, I Am Abomination have attempted to grit up their slick, cheesy, metal this time, although they do not always succeed. They are now appropriately heavier at times, and even borrowed Caleb Shomo for some screams in ‘Ascension’. The band have taken the ridiculous concept quite seriously, and it pays off in the end. Unfortunately though, despite the band’s efforts, their fun brand of metal often contradicts the dark theme of the lyrics. Their music is still catchy as ever, with the front man still singing zany vocal hooks that are clean, and easy to listen to, and therefore the music just isn’t convincingly moody. There are many contradictions afoot in the EP, but if one can accept it for what is – fun – all negatives can be safely ignored. Ultimately, whether or not the concept is executed properly, the EP is still a blast to listen to, and a worthy follow up to their previous album.
