It's easy to think "The Light & the Glass" is the last song off In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3. The back of the album lists it as so. On the first play through, one might be surprised therefore to discover twelve tracks that follow "The Light & the Glass" only to be surprised that these tracks are completely silent. They're not officially named tracks on the album, but they have collectively been titled as "A Lot of Nothing I-XII." However, the real prize lies at track number twenty-three -- "21:13".

The song is a continuation of the dream that the character Claudio has during "The Light & the Glass." Where that song was about Claudio desiring to see his girlfriend again, "21:13" is a manifestation of Claudio's thoughts about the night he came home to find his sister Josephine murdered, and the subsequent deaths of his parents. The line "When I fall asleep, your face is all I see" is repeated several times during the song, which indicates to me either Claudio seeing the face of Newo, or even his mother, Cambria.

Because the song is a re-enactment of that night, the band incorporated returning themes and riffs -- most notably the opening riff from "Time Consumer," as well as a rendition of "IRO-Bot" that ends the song and, ultimately, the album. To me, the return of these themes cements the band as storytellers. Themes and motifs are common elements in stories, and their recurrences are used for a reason. The use of these songs helps to connect IKSSE with SSTB seamlessly, reminding the listener that there is still a story here.

"21:13" is a typical progressive rock song. The song structure varies, as does the time signature. Elements of progressive rock were seen on the album's title track, but it was subtle. Here, however, the band lets loose their hard rock and progressive influences. As I pointed out long ago, it is important to keep note of this changing style in their music. The next record is especially rooted in progressive rock. In fact, if there's any genre can Coheed and Cambria can fall under, it's most certainly progressive. Aside from these elements, the band continues to show its liking for moments of rocking out. Several parts of the song contain moments where the band performs a full instrumental breakdown, one of which uses a highly catchy solo. One of my favorite moments is when the battle cry of the Crowing is heard. This scream gives me chills all the time.

Hands down, "21:13" is one of Coheed and Cambria's best and most well known songs. How anyone discovered this hidden track is beyond me, but since then it's become a popular and often used closer in Coheed concerts. Out of the three concerts I've attended, the first and only time so far I've heard this song was at my second show just this past May, where the band played it as their final song for the night. The atmosphere, the combined sound of everyone singing along to it especially at the "woahs", and the intensity behind the guys and their instruments makes "21:13" one of the most memorable tunes in Coheed's arsenal. No better ending could have been used for this album.

And today's post officially ends the review series for In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3. I'm really enjoying this project of mine. Next up on the reviews is the third Coheed and Cambria album. Until next time!