Funds from RCA records allowed Atkin enough resources to book the same musicians for all the rhythm elements, providing better cohesion.

“All the Dead Were Strangers” began as a title, inspired by a line from a James Cagney movie and recent events such as the conviction of Captain William Calley for his role in the Mai Lai massacre.

On "Apparition in Las Vegas,” Atkin asked Chris Spedding to evoke the style of long time Elvis guitarist, Scotty Moore.

Sounds critic Paul Weir lauded the levels of complexity that rewarded repeated listening, while Jerry Gilbert, writing for the same publication described the songs as "precious stones in a beautiful setting."

"Some time ago, I gave Pete Atkin's A King at Nightfall a half-hearted review," wrote Andrew Bailey of the London Evening Standard.