I was kind of going for the over the top cluster of everything look. Odd as that may sound it was actually to mimic many CoA I have seen over the years. A quick google search for "Coat of Arms" brings up many examples of what I am referring too. Had this been anything else I be right behind you cause this is busy as all hell and against my better judgement normally.
I know the type you mean, and aye they are overdone, and I even am not immune as I was reminded when making some 300px CoA's (my knuckles were duly rapped and the designs changed)