Instead of being so linear with cutting it down the middle, could you try to do that some other way? I agree, it can be a little distracting. I'd much appreciate it if you could find a more unobtrusive way to add a little bit of depth of colour and the gloss feel you were going for.

About the flames around the banners: I actually really like the idea and it looks really nice. The only problem for me is that all the flames are... well, the same. Even for a much smaller word, the flame is the same. I don't think it'd hurt to tweak with that a little bit and try to create a couple different general designes for the flames. (Remember, asymmetry, like dissonance in music, can be your friend if you treat it right.)