The Empire Strikes First

Bad Religion

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 8, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 8, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Epitaph / Ada
• ASIN: B00025ETFK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,744 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: BAD RELIGION
Title: EMPIRE STRIKES FIRST
Street Release Date: 06/08/2004
Domestic
Genre: PUNK

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Showing "Process" Was No Fluke, December 21, 2004

By	Mark (Bogota, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

After the bad "No Substance" and the just okay "New America" Bad Religion finally delievered an awesome album with "The Process Of Belief". And now "Empire Strikes First" shows that "Process" wasn't a fluke. Bad Religion is back writing great songs again.

While Bad Religion retains their trademark sounds, there is a bit of a different feel this time around. Released pre-election, there is a newfound sense of urgency. Also continuing from Process of Belief, the underlying theme of religion is present throughout, questioning faith, and wondering why people so blindly follow it.

For those familiar with Bad Religion, if you like most of their stuff, you'll like this CD as well. For newer fans, you may want to check this out before getting into their older stuff like "No Control" or "Against The Grain"

For those who want to check out songs before buying, check out the best of the best:

"Atheist Peace"
"All There Is"
"Los Angeles Is Burning"
"Let Them Eat War"
"Live Again (The Fall of Man)"

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music is 'all there is' to this album., June 26, 2006

By	Brent M. "Melon" (south-eastern Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

I really don't understand how someone could NOT like this CD. I'd put "The Empire Strikes First" among my top 10 favorite CDs of all time. Although I may not agree with the message that Bad Religion is trying to send, I certainly love their music. One of the reasons why this band is so great is because almost none of their songs are similar to each other. These guys have been coming up with new material for almost two decades, and it's always interesting and fun to listen to. It's going to be very difficult, but I will try and select my favorites of this album below :

6. Los Angeles is Burning - Definitely the most relaxing track of the CD. The backing vocals help make this chorus one of the best parts of this CD.
7. Let Them Eat War - I like the message that this song sends. Its tempo helps support it, too, although the tempo does change a lot.
8. God's Love - The structure of this track is different from the others on this CD. Once again, the backing vocals in this song shine brightly.
11. The Empire Strikes First - Groovy, groovy, groovy. The title track will be stuck in your head forever, as it still is in mine. Very catchy track

Once you buy this CD, you will be listening to it all the way through all through the next year, or maybe even beyond that if you're like me. It may be considered as punk, but I just call it quality music. Thank you for your time.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another amazing release..., December 18, 2004

By	Mike-o (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

Another amazing release from one of the greatest punk, dare I say greatest bands on the planet? I've been a fan of Bad Religion for awhile now, I own every album, Generator being one of my favorites. It amazes me that this band is still making music after 25 years. This release is one of their best.

1) Overture - Intro
2) Sinister Rouge - The audible equivalent of being punched in the face. Great vocals. (5/5)
3) Social Suicide - Another fast song, not quite as fast as the first but just as lethal. (5/5)
4) Athiest Peace - Very good that Graffin has Docterate and knows what he's talking about. (5/5)
5) All There Is - "Once again, like a bullet as a friend, tell me; is that all there is?" Brillaint. (5/5)
6) Los Angeles is Burning - Very catchy, and it is, I live close enough to feel the heat. (5/5)
7) Let Them Eat War - Another catchy song, a little radio-friendly, but if it came on the radio, I'd listen to it. (5/5)
8) God's Love - It seems that something was lost, good backup vox, but it just doesnt hit. (4/5)
9) To Another Abyss - Slower, very good lyrics, proof that the band doesn't need blistering speed to rock. (4/5)
10) The Quickening - Another fast song, amazing chorus. (5/5)
11) The Empire Strikes First - Title track, great song to pump your fist to. (4.5/5)
12) Beyond Electric Dreams - Not quite as fast, but probably one of the best Bad Religion songs to date, great lyrics. (5/5)
13) Boot Stamping... - A different direction for Bad Religion, worst song on the album, but still very enjoyable, slower. (4/5)
14) Live Again... - Great ending song, another Bad Religion classic, reminds me of Process of Belief. (5/5)

All for all, Bad Religion have produced another amazing album, surely one of the best punk albums in the last 10 years. Cheers.