As I mentioned during my reviews of SSTB, Coheed and Cambria sometimes have the ability to take something that, thematically and conceptually, is a rather traumatic and horrifying experience and make it sound energetic and upbeat. For IKSSE, this kind of songwriting is especially noted in the fourth track -- "Three Evils (Embodied in Love and Shadow)." Like "33" from the previous record, "Three Evils" is the sort of song that feels like it should have been a single but never was.

The song opens up with a chugging rhythm of chords played by Claudio and then quickly kicks into a full playing band, with Mic grooving on bass along to the same notes as Travis and Claudio and Josh performing some ever quick snare, hi-hat, and bass drum work. It's almost impossible not to bob one's head in time to the music while that first verse is playing. Of particular note is Claudio's singing. Still as high as always, it's clear however that since the first album Claudio has more control of his voice.

The unfortunate thing about this song is that it's likely what gave way to some critics mislabeling the band as being "emo." Being a concept band, Claudio's lyrics reflect certain events going on in the story at that particular time and place. It's easy to certainly mislabel this song as emo and depressing when considering the final lines being screeched out at the very end: "Pull the trigger and the nightmare stops." However, when one considers the story and even Claudio's own admission, the band never intended this song to encourage suicide in any way. I say this again: the song is NOT about suicide or encouraging it.

Rather, the song continues where "Cuts Marked in the March of Men" left off. Sizer, in an attempt to gain some sort of affection from his "father" Jesse, sacrifices himself to the United Red Army. The URA takes him off planet to Shylos 10, where they perform brutal interrogation techniques upon Sizer, going so far as to blind him, drive drills into his hands, and even disassemble him in order to gain information on Jesse and his rebellion. Realizing he won't talk, the URA scatters Sizer's mangled remains across the surface of Shylos 10. The song is a back and forth narrative between the act of the URA torturing him and Sizer's thoughts.

Overall, the song is quite fast-paced. Despite it's lyrical content, "Three Evils (Embodied in Love in Shadow)" remains one of the catchiest melodies in Coheed's catalog. It was played many times during the band's tour in support of the album. As later records were released and the band played other songs in support of them, "Three Evils" saw itself being pushed back a little in favor of bigger hits. I'm happy to say, however, that the band has brought back this amazing tune at recent concerts. For such a simply composed song comprised of the standard verse, chorus, verse formula it remains high on many fans' lists of favorite Coheed songs, including mine.

As the song winds down to a close, we hear what sounds like running water in the background and what sounds like someone singing a tune. As these two sounds wind down, all of a sudden we hear a rather loud scream: the battle cry of The Crowing.

Stay tuned for the next review.