Review Summary: The best of both, the charm of neither
On paper, this should be phenomenal. Silent Planet and Invent Animate are in the most successful eras of their career, each adding their own flourish to the metalcore scene. There’s no denying that either band is talented, both of their previous releases are displays of technical proficiency and strong songwriting. So a collaborative EP should be just as good… right?
Bloom in Heaven just doesn’t hit the mark. Invent Animate and Silent Planet (Invent Planet going forward) blend their styles together seamlessly, which sounds good, but each band loses the uniqueness that makes their music so captivating. In the short 12-minute duration, Invent Planet brings together the best of their modern songwriting without the charm of either counterpart. It’s difficult at times to pinpoint where each band shines through, which can be viewed as both a benefit and detriment to the project. While their display of cohesive songwriting together is impressive, it keeps the songs from reaching the highs of each band’s strengths. Instead of a unique back-and-forth performance, Invent Planet combines their elements together to create something less than.
Now, by no means am I saying this is a bad release. In fact, there are many moments throughout
Bloom in Heaven that hint at flashes of brilliance between the two. The final riff and breakdown of “Return to One” slows down the song in a way that allows the atmosphere to take the spotlight, and the chorus of “Armageddon Eyes” is supported by a strong chorus full of great guitar leads and strong vocal melodies. Yet at the end of the day,
Bloom in Heaven feels like it lacks a reason. It’s a fun listen, and it’s a great display of Invent Planet’s talents in the scene, but it simply comes and goes. Even many listens later, I still struggle to remember most of the EP, despite its short length. While I still love both of these bands,
Bloom in Heaven lacks the staying power that either band offers in their own discographies.
