In the second single from In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 ("A Favor House Atlantic" being the first, though not chronologically appearing on the record until later), the band delivers one of their most radio-friendly "pop" songs. Certainly, it's a different style from any single off SSTB, and appears after such heavier riffs as "Cuts Marked in the March of Men" and "The Crowing." Thus, when listening to "Blood Red Summer" for the first time after those previous songs, I was rather put off.

It took me some time to enjoy the song as many others have grown to enjoy it. In fact, it took me quite a while. I would skip over it many times simply because I didn't feel it flowed too well with the rest of the album. However, like so many of Coheed and Cambria's songs, it eventually grew on me. With catchy lyrics and melody, it's safe to say that if there's ever a Coheed song that's more sing along than any others it's this one.


Indeed, while Claudio's voice makes a return to high pitched -- and, in more crude terms from critics, whiny -- the vocal style is just as important as the music. The bridge has undoubtedly one of the most well known parts as Claudio continually chants "Woah oh!" a few times alongside repetitions of "What dd I do to deserve?"

From earlier songs, it's clear that the band is very much guitar-driven. On "Blood Red Summer" this is made even more prominent. Together, Claudio Sanchez and Travis Stever play rhythm and lead, respectively, in a perfect balance where neither overshadows the other. Instead, it's a perfect compliment. Taking together Josh's simple drumming pattern for this song and Mic's equally just as simple bass lines along with the guitars, the song is a bouncy tune. Quite truthfully, the best part of the song is the fact that it's so simple.

Conceptually, the song more of an info dump, as often happens in stories. The character Claudio, naturally unwilling to believe in the destiny that lays before him, chooses to at least take up the promise he made to himself to fight back against Wilhelm Ryan. With Ambellina nevertheless guiding him, Claudio meets up with with his uncle Jesse, who relays to him the events of the past years and what happened to his parents and siblings, as well as just why Ryan wanted to destroy the family -- he knew one of the children would have the power to destroy him. With Claudio having returned, Jesse has new found hope in a better tomorrow for the people of Heaven's Fence. Claudio, however much he tries to accept this, merely asks "What did I do to deserve this?"