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| Bad ReligionThe Empire Strikes First2004 Epitaph 
  Review by: Adam See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on June 9th 2004
As much as The Process Of Belief was celebrated as a comeback record, one was left wondering, after all the hype and excitement of its release had passed, where Bad Religion would go from there. After all, a killer return to form twenty years into a career is quite an accomplishment, but sustaining that energy is a more difficult task entirely. More than a few people I spoke with had assumed Process would turn out to be a fitting swan song at the end of an already prolific career. While these dire predictions fizzled rather quickly, the question remained of what form was this new era of Bad Religion would take. It turns out that life made that decision for the band, and like so many of their peers they've begun to take a very activist approach to the policies of Bush administration. There's certainly something to be said about the ability of conservative US governments to light a fire under the collective ass of the punk scene. Yet while some bands fighting this battle have fallen into a pattern of sloganeering, Bad Religion's years of skill and insight have allowed them to craft one of the most literate statements our scene has yet made. Even The Empire Strikes First's most forthright political songs seem to be written with longevity in mind. While the band references what we've all seen repeated on the evening news they do so in a way that won't date their work when all this has passed. The title track is a perfect example, with it's sarcastic look at preemptive strike policy: "We strike first and we're unrehearsed / Here we go again to stage the greatest show on heaven and earth / Come on! Get your moneys worth." However if the war's rekindled the band's fighting spirit, the agenda of the radical religious right in has brought it to a full burn. Bad Religion truly lives up to their name with "Live Again - The Fall Of Man," "God's Love" and "Atheist Peace" among others. Yet again these messages are delivered with the poise and wisdom other bands never approach. Greg Graffin's soul-searching lyricism is at the same time thoughtful and indignant. This record stands testament to the greatness that is the Graffin / Gurewitz songwriting team. The duo has always been known for putting together huge, memorable melodic punk rock songs and this is no exception. The single "Los Angeles Is Burning" has the type of chorus you start singing to yourself without realizing. "All There Is" features one of the band's most accomplished arrangements in recent memory. Graffin sings "Contend upon a rail of pain for just a pail of rain" with a wonderfully pleasing harmony and one of those prefect pauses before the band explodes into the chorus. Drummer Brooks Wackerman continues to amaze, particularly in the raging "Sinister Rouge." The double bass drumming is new for the band, one of a few tricks they try out successfully on the record. "Beyond Electric Dreams" features some tasteful electronic work from Mr. Brett's co-conspirators in Error. Street poet Sage Francis guests on "Let Them Eat War" in what's a surprisingly well-integrated hip-hop contribution to a rock song. The track is highlight of the record, showcasing the interplay between the band's three guitarists and lyrically tackling the social impact of religion, poverty and war. The bottom line is that Bad Religion sounds amazing here. Throughout their Atlantic years the criticism always lingered that their recorded output simply didn't live up the Suffer era in terms of energy and drive. While this doesn't stylistically return to that territory, it shows the band charging forward with their guns blazing and that puts to rest any nostalgic urge for them to retread on their past. Like Process before it, The Empire Strikes First shows Bad Religion on top of their game, neither dwelling on their early glories nor held back by their late 90s slump. This is every bit as exciting, rocking and relevant as one would hope.  Bad Religion - Sinister RougeBad Religion - Let Them Eat WarThe Empire Strikes First Micro-Site People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
My first Punk rock album. Absolutely incredible. It still blows my mind. I like "Let them Eat War" and "Los Angeles Is Burning" best. They were at their best when The Process of Beleif was produced. I'm sorry to say it but This once glorious punk band has lost their touch after 20 some odd albums. brooks wackerman really adds a huge dose of energy to this record. The more I listen to the album, the more I love it. I was hooked from Sinister Rogue, but that's not the only great song on here. Wow....I hate you already. Bad Religion are crap, this is a perfect example of liking a band cuz u think u have to, they sound like your dad trying to sing punk rock, it sounds forced all the time and just doesnt sound like they mean it. Their is no better album ever made! fuckin legends all there albums are superb quite possibly one of the greatest bands of recent times and still havent lost the edge after all these years! Good to see that they're still making music. This record just doesn't have the same energy as the earlier stuff. They suck there last good album was 80-85. very very very good!!!!!!! People who call this band formulaic have no idea what they are talking about. Every single album has a different feel to it and you can tell easily, that is of course unless you are already biased and refuse to listen any closer. Your fucking ears must be broken. It's a good album. But far from the best BR ever put out. There are a lot of ups and downs on this one. their best album, beyond electric dreams is amazing this band is awesome i give them a 10... this has got to be one of the worst bad religion albums i really didnt like this one I have never heard bad religion before. but i bought the album cause all my friends said it rocked. and i have to agre with them. I thought this was one of the better albums of Bad Religion's. I enjoy it very much. Well, what can I say? Bad Religion was a very good band and have relesed one good album after another. When The Gray Race went out - despite many great songs it had - it was flawed (maybe in relation to Brets exodus) by the first signs of a change... and a negative change in my opinnion. The music started to get calmer and slower, and what's most important - that music didn't really sound good. Their lowest point was "The New America" album. Anyone who compared "1000 Memories" song with... shall we say: "Operation Rescue" (of "Against the Grain") for instance should get the picture. So when I thought that they couldn't get much worse than that, I was actually right, because "The Process of Belie"f was a big suprise for me. Listening to the fast-paced "Supersonic" momentarily reminded me everything I loved about Bad Religion. If I would to compare The Process of Belief with any other BR album I would definatly compare it with The Gray Race. Because it still had some of those not-too-good songs (sort of a heritage of The New America), but there were a DEFINITE signs of a somewhat "back to the roots" aim. Great album. Can't wait till they come to Norfolk with Rise Against. My favorites ongs on this are Atheist Peace, All There Is, Los Angelos is Burning, and Live Again. I am happy to say that this is the first Bad Religion recording since "Against the Grain" that I've been able to, not only sit all the way through, but actually enjoy! That was kind of Brett, since it seems he's the one with an ear for a hit song. I usually like Greg's songs better, but those are a lot less likely to end up on radio playlists (the only single I can think of written by Graffin alone -- not including the time Brett was out of the band, of course -- is "Struck a Nerve"). klasticono: They wrote the songs seperately. "Officially" it says they co-wrote, so that each gets equal pay. (Songwriters gets paid each time their songs are played on the radio, tv.) I am a musician, and rather than that making me view Bad Religion more negatively, it makes me more in awe of them. Listening to a band like BR is frustrating, because it makes you think, "Why am I even trying? No matter how hard I try, how could I ever create something that could stand up to 'Suffer' or 'Generator'?" Ok so yeah, this album sounds alot like their other ones. It incorporates mixtures of their older sound with their newer sound and some of the riffs sound like some of their other songs. Sure, theyve had the same messages forever and the lyrics, while pretty good, are more of the same themes as their old ones, but so are Hitchcock's films. The truth is though that Bad Religion are still good at what they do. They are still tight and know how to write songs. The harmonies and melodies here are great. I personally think that the last album was a little boring and sappy, "She was barely a teen just a part of the scene"? Come on. This albums sounds a lot better than that one too. My question is, for all of you that think this albums sucks or sounds the same, WHATS GOOD? What bands do you like that don't sound the same? OK, I know I just commented on this album within the last hour, but then I read everyone else's comments.... Who the hell are these people saying that The Empire Strikes First is recycled? I don't think the band's sound has changed as much since it did between Back to the Known and Suffer.... There's Brooks' insane drumming, which really stands out on this album (moreso than on the last one, probably, because he's been in the band longer and I imagine he was more involved in the creative process this time around) and the repeated use of digital effects on the vocals and music, there's a rap cameo (which is surprisingly good lyrically and fits well with the song) and Bad Religion's best harmonies and melodies ever. Also, the three-guitar lineup comes through from time to time (again, you probably notice that more on TESF than on TPOB because it is this lineup's second effort). Yeah. I hated this album when I first listened to it also... and talked a fair amount of shit about it (oops). But then I saw it on sale and picked it up and it's really aged well. It seems like the lyrics are more musical - without giving up that special Bad Religion sound. The music is also a lot "deeper" than on some of their past releases with some really great arrangements. Bad Religion's pretty much always been my favorite band, but when I first heard this album (a couple of months before the release date, thanks to Soulseek), I was disappointed, mostly because of the digital production and some of what I perceived as lyricism that was too blatant and cliche (the title track for example) to come from minds like Greg's or Brett's. I want Greg to eat my cock - this cd is great - I take it in the ass to this cd, I didn't think that this record would be so good. respect. AGAIN Bad Religion kick. "But even ten million souls marching in February couldn't stop the worst" Truly the most influential band ever, Bad Religion does it again with this one. They set my soul afire. I own every single Bad Religion Album , and yes this album is the kind of thing I have come ot expect. and thats great! With BR, you know what you're going to get. Most of the 90s were such a wash for this band, it's great to see them have a return to form. "Los Angeles Is Burning" is one of the strongest tracks they've recorded in years. Warped is going to be a great warmup for them, but I'm looking forward to seeing BR tour properly ... i don't know why some BR fans bitch about all their cds sounding too similar...well when they went out and tried to make a different sounding cd with slower tones and pianos in "Into The Unknown" the fans complained that they didn't like it! make up your fucking minds...It's like damned if you do damned if you don't...BR Great cd but i still think POB and RFH still are a little better... mmm, Im a very fan of this band , but i think they are just old, i dont think the music on this album will surprise you, If you are a very fan , buy it but... This album Rocks!! People who don't like this album need help as soon as they can get it. This is a superb record, although the title track sounds like "21st Century Digital Boy" and the last song reminded me of "Sorrow" - still it's brilliant, better than Process and their best album since Recipe For Hate (underrated) Great cd, Great album. album rocks. end of story. i'm trying to figure out where any visitor of punknews.org would get off trying to give this a low score. This record's okay but definately not as great as NC,ATG,G,RFH,STF,TGR. This album is alright. I still think POB was better though. there are some tracks which kind of lose me 20 seconds in. However, songs like Sinister Rouge keep you really happy There is no message in this band except buy our record it's fast again,we're back on Epitaph,Brett's back,download our video,call KROQ and remember never sell out to the majors. There is no message in this band except buy our record it's fast again,we're back on Epitaph,Brett's back,download our video,call KROQ and remember never sell out to the majors. "And just what is Bad Religions message? And just what is Bad Religions message? i can agree that unlike most bands out there today Bad Religion do and always have and a very strong and positive message in thier music (at least lyrically) This is puuuuuure punk biiitch!! I'm happy I was able to get a promo copy, after a few listens I find Empire to be quite boring compared to Process Of Belief. What sound are you talking about dude? While other bands, most notably acts like Anti-Flag, recycle ideas using catchy hooks and cliched catch phrases, one can defend them by asserting that at least they are saying what needs to be said and what the mainstream would never dare to say. Bad Religion, on the other hand, transcends the likes of such lesser-thans by writing music that ranges from righteously indignant to inspiring in its dissent. Graffin writes with anger and disbelief yet few have ever been more poetic or eloquent. At the same time, the band has found the sound they've been searching for for about a decade. Stellar release and it couldn't have come at a more important time. www.stereokiller.com/bands/JAUA OMGZ!! JAUA JAUA JAUA THEY RULKE I LOVE JAUA. www.stereokiller.com/bands/JAUA www.stereokiller.com/bands/JAUA Very simple this just plain sucks! Very simple this just plain sucks! how can anyone dislike this cd? Are BR now going metal ? "Are BR now going metal ? "I'm still looking for shit by Siege and Deep Wound." Are BR now going metal ? I thought you all said this record was good? Great review and great album. "Let The Eat War" is probably my fav song so far. I'm still looking for shit by Siege and Deep Wound. BSD is the most diabolical hater on this entire site. He is bar none the biggest hater on Earth. Dare I say, bar none the biggest hater in this nebulus. I love how BSD can defend himself almost single handedly against an entire board full of haters. Jesus Christ this album blows!!! Bad Religion is not for everyone but they are certainly awesome and much different than ANY band I've ever heard. Screw the shit talkers. You don't like em? Then do better or shut it. This album rocks. "The actual artwork on the new Atreyu album is a lot worse than the banner ad." as far as the rating for this album goes - good/bad who gives a shit. Please seperate punk and rock, folx. punk is a mindset; music, fashion, whatever will follow. The actual artwork on the new Atreyu album is a lot worse than the banner ad. How disgusting is the idea behind Boston Beatdown? how disgusting is the artwork for atreyu's new one? hate it. i really do wish the banner at the top of the site would stop on that one. I've never liked Bad Religion. It's basic punk with thick vocal harmonies. It's never sounded different. And the kids love it. Who knew? To the dude below "I HATE METAL and I HATE DOUBLE BASSDRUM"!!!! I kinda tend to agree with some of the stuff the dude below with the long parapgraphs said even though his English sound Quebecois ;) (but thats ok I am too). Bad Religion has been very important and influential to the seen whether you like them or not. Greg an dBrett have alot of things to say and in my opionion they say them very well and most of the songs make you stop and think. 9/10 for the album. so...I'm supposed to re-rate this album, and Bad Religion in general, because that guy wrote 5 paragraphs? I used to eat Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches every day but I got sick of them quickly. To bad I will make a long post, that will stop most of the people who SHOULD read this coment to actually read it but hell, I had to say something... minor threat...nice I was once just like you I love recipe for hate, but I think calling "New America" mediocre is giving it way too much credit! On a second thought, I think I'm going to sell all of my oldschool hardcore 7 inches and albums and just go Saddle Creek. I think it's really funny that so-called Bad Religion fans call this album "formulaic". The Empire Strikes First is completely different sounding than any of their other albums. Ever heard slow songs like these before? Not like this you haven't. I think it's amazing and even while some songs have a weak spot or two, that doesn't take away from the overall quality of the record. The experimental portions are a great addition. Yes, that includes the rap portion on Let Them Eat War. You want to talk about a mediocre album? Then talk about Recipe For Hate or The New America. This one rocks. Damn it, I keep having to sign back in! "The only ones complaining about Bad Religion are the fucking boring post-rock kids who jack off to the noise solos of (ugh) Sonic Youth and love (shudder) Cursive." "Ragtime fanatic" I think I'm going to reinvent myself as an introverted ragtime fanatic. It wouldn't surprise me if you reinvented yourself again, BSD. You're like the Madonna of attention whoring internet elitists. Well it says a lot when I think such a comment could come from you. That comment wasn't by me... I bet someone's gettin' a pretty big laugh about now! But I'll just log in from now on! Ba da da da da, I'm lovin' it. Why does everyone hate me?Im just a kid who likes emo I hope this is the last record because let's face the facts here kiddies Punk rock and all bands(NOFX,Pennywise,Rancid,AFI,Warped Tours,etc,etc) are all overpayed and overbloated embarassments to the human race as we see it today. The only ones complaining about Bad Religion are the fucking boring post-rock kids who jack off to the noise solos of (ugh) Sonic Youth and love (shudder) Cursive. "They're are only a few good punk bands left, and even they are starting to suck." "Anyways, yea, BR's lyrics are usually shit. People think because Graffin is almost upfront about things, he's some kind of genius. He states the obvious - Bush sucks, religion sucks (although his views on all religion are based on pricks like Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson, etc.), the world sucks, blah blah blah. He's never offered valid answers to any problems. " This is ridiculous..seriously. Everybody keeps saying BR sounds the same. How many bands out there constantly reinvent themselves with each new record? This formula works...Bad religions career can attest to this. These guys make good, quality music. Whether you like it or not these guys helped form punk rock into what it is today. In 20 years if all these ridiculous Screamo and pop punk bands are still around, and I seriously doubt that...I'm sure you will be there saying, this all sounds the same. Furthermore, I challenge anyone who says this sounds the same to create something better.... Bad Religion sucks. Case closed. Punk rock is dead. They're are only a few good punk bands left, and even they are starting to suck. Oh, to the guy who asks about the limited edition of the album, the DVD with it, just contains the first 20 minutes of footage of the "Along the Way" DVD.. If Bad Religion is saying the same things for two decades, it means the people out there doesn't get them. It's pretty ridicolous to complain to a group for being faithful to its sane and strong ideas. I also defy every single "so called" punk group to survive for two decades, having so motivated followers. Bad Religion may not now much about politics, but they know a lot about how life works. And that's not really common. They don't talk shit like most of the bands out there. It's simple. lieutenant: "Just a question though, as I have a record store promo copy, I am left without a DVD (I think the retail version comes with one?) -- What am I missing" ****This makes no sense to me. There are a BILLION bands which sound exactly like the Ramones, but they always get bad reviews and tons of criticism - but when Bad Religion turns out yet another CD that sounds exactly the same people call it the "album of the year." **** really good album... that's all - im going to play it once more...and l.a is burning.... Can someone name a band that change their style on every new album? Cause i cant.... and i know many bands.... This is truly an incredible album for a Bad Religion fan, no less perfect for an evening stroll across the downtown scape and the street parklife in between. Why does everyone hate me?Im just a kid who likes emo seeing as i am now an official "new hybrid" punk, after taking the quiz, i am going to be punk and diss up these freakin bad religion people...THEY SUCK! HAHAHAHAHHA i am going against the grain, so i am punk right? hahahahahaha jjk Sorry, I forgot to sign my name on the post below. The people who say "BR sucks, listen to Starbucks Music for the Plastic Generation like Cursive!" are oblivious to how DONE bands like Cursive are. It's been done before, they're just making it boring. |
