Brand's Identity - Cleanse the World in... explosions?

Before, Brand was a fire-throwing elemental with the tender love of an active volcano. His burns hurt. His spells hurt. Now, the only one of his spells that "hurts" is his W. Nerfing his kit and trying to place the damage on his passive was an alright move game-play wise, but not identity-wise.

I'm not saying the new Brand doesn't play well, it's alright. You need to land 3 abilities to make any kind of use out of your passive, but it's alright. However, I really don't feel that the passive explosion fits Brand. His blaze becomes unstable? What a heavy-handed ability description.

Again, not saying the rework itself is bad, I'm just saying it doesn't fit the character of Brand all too well. Brand's previous gameplay was definitely combo-based, but in the way that his abilities got additional effects if the target was ablaze beforehand. And while I think rewarding landing your spells with more damage is an alright way of doing this, Brand isn't Ryze. Brand was just as much about using items and deathfire touch to augment his burns as much as he was about comboing up a nuke-storm.

The only thing I've seen Rioters say about the guy is that they're watching him after his rework. Is there any update on what Riot's opinion is of his current state? Why so quiet? Is he back to being forgotten?

I'm very passionate about my Brand love. He's my favorite champ in the game! So in the end, I'm just curious about what Riot thinks. I've tried to ask before, but never ever get a response.