All Our Kings Are Dead (Gold Edition) reviews

Quote :: Album Review: Young Guns - All Our Kings Are Dead: Gold Edition

In the space between the release of their vastly impressive debut and the recording of the yet-to-be-named follow-up,Young Guns offer up some brand new content on ‘All Our Kings Are Dead: Gold Edition’.

With the album itself identical to the original, it’s left to a bonus DVD to justify the re-release, and parting with your precious cash. A documentary entitled ‘Don’t Look Back, Just Keep Moving’, tracking the rapid rise enjoyed by the band since their humble beginnings at the start of 2008, is a distinctly personal insight, serving as a timeline, taking in their formation, the recording and touring of their debut EP and heading out on the road with the likes of Lostprophets, Taking Back Sunday, All Time Low and Bon Jovi.

What really hits home in listening to each member describe their experiences, is the sense of gratefulness, and the genuine feeling that, although they worked incredibly hard to achieve each of their feats (fronting Kerrang!, touring Europe and playing the O2 arena to name a few), that they value everything they have. You can’t help but think while watching, that not losing sight of how easily things can go wrong should stand Young Guns in good stead.

Accompanying the short film are two live offerings, one a stripped-down session, filmed at Red Bull Studios, the other, three tracks taken from a performance at London’s Electric Ballroom in December 2010. The contrast of the guys in their natural habitat, thrashing out the likes of “Winter Kiss”, “Stitches”, and “Weight Of The World”, and the tranquil surroundings of an acoustic session, couldn’t be more stark, but the fact that they look equally comfortable in both situations says a lot for the ability they possess.

It's a shame that there aren’t any new songs to whet the appetite for the new record (which the band are currently recording in Thailand) but the impressive video content makes sure you’re not disappointed. A must have for the die hard fan, a worthwhile investment for everyone else.

3.5/5

'All Our Kings Are Dead: Gold Edition' is out now.

Liam Mcgarry

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Subject: All Our Kings Are Dead (Gold Edition) reviews Wed Oct 12, 2011 1:45 am

Quote :: Young Guns – All Our Kings Are Dead: Gold Edition [ALBUM] Review

8/10

Record Label: Live Forever

I’ll skip over the excellent twelve tracks contained within this release, as these are unchanged since All Our Kings Are Dead was originally unleashed last year. Instead let’s focus on the video content which, lets face it, if you already own AOKAD; is the sole reason why you would part with your cash to buy this Gold Edition, even if the cover does look even more epic in black and gold.

Young Guns really welcome you in with a very home video style documentary, and it’s warming to hear about the lengthy and eventful evolution of the band as an entity through the voices of its members in such a relaxed and unforced way.

There is a real gem lodged inside this re-release, the acoustic recordings see the band demonstrate a seamless ability to perform their music in a delicate and poignant way. It’s a talent defining moment and a must see for anyone who thinks All Our Kings Are Dead is worth it’s weight in gold.

Words: Richard Barnes

All Our Kings Are Dead: Gold Edition is available now

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Quote :: Review: Young Guns – All Our Kings Are Dead (Gold Edition) (Album)
Posted by Jazz HTF

Band: Young Guns
Release: All Our Kings Are Dead (Gold Edition) (Album)

The last two years have seen Young Guns shoot in the rock and metal scene. Already, they’ve played huge festivals and supported massive acts including Bon Jovi and Lostprophets. HTF had a fantastic time seeing them at Download Festival earlier this year and are confident in saying how great the show was. Their album ‘All Our Kings Are Dead‘ was a huge hit and saw them soar and now they’ve just released a gold edition, including backstage footage, documentaries and live acoustic sessions.

The documentary, ‘Don’t Look Back, Just Keep Moving‘, shows the band at their barest. They explain their journey as a band and their thoughts from the very beginning. It’s like a bunch of home movies all added into one, showing a more personal side to Young Guns. Watching a documentary which dives into the members personal feelings really makes their efforts more meaningful; it shows the real people that they are.

The band have also includes a range of live performances on the DVD. The acoustic sessions show the band at their rawest. Huge hits including ‘Stitches’ and ‘Weight of the World‘ shine a completely new light. The music still reflects them but all seems more in depth and personal to them. The band has also included some live performances from shows at the Electric Ballroom. The bands live talent is spot on, and these videos do them justice.

Now to the music side of the album. First track on the album, ‘Sons of Apathy‘, is a great starter! It kicks in straight away with everything a good rock song could ask for. Fast paced guitars and drumming, gang vocals and a chorus that will stick in anyone’s head for days. It really reflects how the band stages their live shows as well; getting everyone involved and screaming along to every single song making it unbelievably fun.

‘Weight of the World‘ has been one of the group’s biggest hits from the moment they started. The way in which Young Guns entice you into their music and get you pumped up is truly amazing. Listen to them for five minutes are you’re sure to be jumping around and feeling on top of the world. Vocalist Gustav Wood has the perfect voice for doing this, as if he’s calling out to everyone and pulling them in.

Another released single from the album is ‘Winter Kiss‘, which again shares the similar traits of having a remarkably catchy chorus and powerful instrumental backing that perks up the ears of any listener. They played this at Download this year and it was as expected – amazing with the amount of people chanting along! The audience participation really built up a huge atmosphere, and listening to this just brings back fun memories.

‘Beneath the Waves‘ is the final song on the album, and hell yes it’s a good ending to an amazing story! It’s chirpy, lively and sure to get your feet moving within seconds. The verse is slightly more toned down, with only a slight bit of instrumental backing, but it all comes in full throttle for the chorus. The ending is so intense too, with heavy and powerful guitars fading out.

The only downfall to this album is that there isn’t really a slow track, but it’s not really a downfall as such. Maybe it’s a perk to some? The main thing is that this album is super fun and super catchy. As soon as the album stops, it’ll be straight back onto the first song for sure.

The live footage and documentation shows Young Guns at their most vulnerable; their personal thoughts and decisions. It makes you feel more connected with the band, not on a friend basis, but just the fact that you get them. It makes their music a lot more meaningful.

Reviewer: Jasmine Sevette

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Quote :: Young Guns - All Our Kings Are Dead: Gold Edition [Album]

Live Forever
July 19, 2011

No matter how good your music is, if you’re going to re-release an album, especially your debut, you have to give the fans something new to sink their teeth into and Young Guns have realized this early on. All Our Kings Are Dead: Gold Edition not only gives you 12 songs, but a DVD featuring a half hour documentary, all five promotional music videos, three live sessions at The Red Bull Studios, and three live videos from the bands gig at The Electric Ballroom. How’s that for extras?

The documentary entitled Don’t Look Back, Just Keep Moving doesn’t necessarily give away too much information about the future which is what you might hope for. What it does do though is show the people behind the persona's. Each band member is filmed separately and the footage of the same questions is inter-cut to create the whole, they discuss the early years, how they managed to get just as big as they did in three years and what Young Guns means to them. If you only slightly liked the music, well, you probably won’t be buying this, but nevertheless you will admire the people. It’s only short and leaves you wishing for a more in depth look behind the scenes of a hardworking, constantly touring, up and coming British rock band. A close relationship with director Lawrence Hardy, the man also responsible for their music videos, indicates Don’t Look Back was only a teaser for what’s to come.

It’s a limited addition reissue and fans should snap it up to own what will ultimately become a collector’s item. Sure all the parts will end up online that’s just the nature of living in the 21st century, having a physical product though means so much more, everyone can have the album, but to be able to watch nearly half of it on your TV whenever you want is the idea behind a special edition such as this.

The songs are just as good as the last time round, giving you four minute bursts of dark, moody, visceral guitar music. For those who are new to the Buckinghamshire five piece, they sound much like the band that gave them their big break, Lostprophets, only heavier and less concerned with catering to the mass market. Part of the new breed of emo tinged alt-rock bands that are surfacing. They do automatically have the mainstream sensibilities of All Time Low, but unlike the aforementioned bands, Young Guns clearly have a love of metal and put a lot of energy in staying true to their heavier influences. In that respect their instrumentation can be held alongside bands like Biffy Clyro. It’s not metal or even post-hardcore by any stretch of the imagination though, BUT that doesn’t mean it’s not good! It’s hard to classify Young Guns style as it has all the markings of metal influenced power-pop, but with much more substance. Young Guns have a penchant, even a knack for a bloody good chorus that will have you singing in no time and they get straight into it with the opening tracks ‘Sons Of Apathy’ and ‘Crystal Clear’.

While all the tracks on All Our Kings Are Dead have a certain audible similarity; big choruses, breakdowns, and instrumental middle sections, they are by no means the same. ‘After The War’ and ‘At The Gates’ are the ballads of the record, with long drawn out notes and a lighter melodies driving the tracks, the drums are barely noticeable on the former, while the latter is a beautiful piano led number that catches you off guard as it builds slowly to the finale. Gustav Wood’s vocals are much more mature here than previously in the record showing real control and careful use of power. It's easily the best and most memorable track.

So what if some of the lyrics are cliché? “I’m still searching/ for a sign that you’re still listening,” they are delivered with poise and sophistication. The opening chord progressions on some tracks including ‘Weight Of The World’ sound familiar, but it’s easy to forgive when all you want to know is how to play it. Young Guns might not be the best band in the world, but they are certainly the best new band in Britain and are much wiser than their contemporaries. If you hate what happened to your favourite bands after they became successful (Lostprohets) then get a copy of All Our Kings Are Dead because it will reinvigorate your passion for the underdog.

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