Concepts have written and self-released a new five-song EP. They are based in Houston, Texas and have apparently undergone a series of lineup changes, halting what they intend to be a strong run at developing the band into a more a full-time project. All that being said, Concepts lay down what amounts to, if nothing else, an extremely well-produced and interesting EP in Transitions.

The EP appropriately opens with the heavy and forceful booms of the screaming and metal-influenced aspects of the band, namely in the vocals of Aaron Isbell. The music here is just as aggressive and brutal as the vocals, filled out by technical drumming blast beats. Just as those aspects settle in, enter the clean vocals and typically electronica breaks that come along with bands of this ilk. This fashion of writing – forceful and booming metal juxtaposed against melodic and electronica-laden pop – is the blueprint for the entire EP. And so, what the listener has in Transitions is a five-song record that draws very distinctly to the Rise Records sound of Dance Gavin Dance, etc.

The production goes a long way on Transitions, though. In the second track, “Mirrors,” the attention to layering the clean vocals throughout makes for a much more complex listening experience. In fact, it speaks to the stronger identity within the band. And that speaks to the main problem with Transitions. What muddles this release, for me, is the band’s decidedly undecided style. The transitions (pun intended?) between the clean and melodic music and the heavy bruising sound simply need improvement. What ends up happening unfortunately is five-minute long songs that could easily just be mash-ups of two completely different bands. The balancing act here is too shaky and creates a lack of continuity in nearly every song.

The band’s best offering on the EP is “Vultures.” The song is largely dominated by a cleanly sung vocal line but with great guitar work throughout as well. The band’s command of staccato riffs, electronica synth and intricate drum work are commendable. And this is the sound that the band should ostensibly move towards as they continue evolving. I get the whole Of Mice & Men and Memphis May Fire sound that has been trending as of late. But it’s becoming derivative and parody. Concepts have an opportunity in their musicianship to transcend that sound, and while Transitions doesn’t achieve that, the potential is still there.