Disco de Bad Religion: “The Empire Strikes First”

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.

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.

Bad Religion is one of the greatest bands in rock and roll history. That is not an opinion, it is a fact. They have influenced many bands and inspired many people. I am one of those people. The first CD I ever bought with my mom's lunch money was "All Ages". When I first heard the opening song, "I Wanna Conquer the World", I had tears in my eyes. Before listening to Bad Religion, I was a total hair/grunge/metal fan. I would never look back after this album. Every time I had enough money for a CD and a ride to the local record store, I bought a Bad Religion album. "Generator", "Against the Grain", "No Control", and "Suffer" were my next, followed by "Stranger Than Fiction", "The Grey Race", and "Recipe for Hate". I could name countless songs from each CD that makes me all gooey and happy inside. "Skyscraper", "Man on a Mission", "Too Much to Ask", "1000 More Fools", "Only Entertainment", "Anasthesia", "Parallel", "Better Off Dead", and "Do What You Want" are just a few.

Every album was just as good, if not better than the last. Each album unique, but still having the same sound. I finally bought the rest of them, "No Substance", "The New America", "80-85", "Process of Belief", "How Could Hell Be Any Worse", and "The Empire Strikes First".

"The Process of Belief" blew me away. It was their first release in like 4 years and I was kind of nervous. I was not disappointed and I think it's probably one of their best albums ever.

When I first heard "TESF", I thought "What the hell did you do, Bad Religion?" The same feeling I got with "Recipe" and "New America". But just like the latter albums, I realized I was ignorant and needed to listen to it a few times and grasp the musical genious behind it. "TESF" is by far my favorite album by Bad Religion. I know you may think I'm a complete idiot with other albums out there like "Generator" and "No Control". Greg Graffin's lyrics in this album are the best to date. More intelligent than ever before (not that they were even unintelligent), and the music has more rifts, solos, and melody than any other album. They went for something slightly different, actually totally different, and they hit the f*cking jack pot with it. I commend Bad Religion on their efforts and just want to say PICK UP THIS ALBUM NOW!

And this is long and pointless, but I'm bored.

I was blown away when "The Process of Belief" came out, and it still remains my favorite B.R. album to date. But most of the songs on TPOB we done pre 9/11, and a lot has happened since then including the war in Iraq, economic downturn, and the Patriot Act. I couldn't wait for B.R. to give the Bush Administration what it had coming! So here we are now with 'The Empire Strikes First" an overall, great album, with more politics and anger then ever before.

Here's my track by track review for anyone that cares:

1. Overture- It's dark, moody, and is a great lead in to-

I am now counting the days until I get to see Bad Religion at Warped Tour this year. I can't wait!

Following on the heels of THE PROCESS OF BELIEF, this album is highly political, openly atheistic, and totally rocking! The sound is very reminiscent of PROCESS, but with some more experimentation in form and style. There are fewer short-burst punk anthems, which is a good thing, IMO; BR is obviously evolving as a band, and letting the lyrics take center stage instead of the punk aesthetic. Not that the music is bad; it's great!

Released in an election year, it should come as no surprise that there's a lot of relevant songs here. SINISTER ROUGE, ATHEIST PEACE, LOS ANGELES IS BURNING, GOD'S LOVE, THE EMPIRE STRIKES FIRST ... practically the whole album seems to be speaking about the current world situation. Fans of the status quo, beware!

My favorite BR albums are GENERATOR and BELIEF. Well, those two, and now THE EMPIRE STRIKES FIRST.