Audio CD review:
Bad Religion - The Empire Strikes First

Bad Religion - The Empire Strikes First

Band: Bad Religion Title: The Empire Strikes First Rating: Release Date: 08 June, 2004 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Overture 2: Sinister Rouge 3: Social Suicide 4: Atheist Peace 5: All There Is 6: Los Angeles Is Burning 7: Let Them Eat War 8: God's Love 9: To Another Abyss 10: The Quickening 11: The Empire Strikes First 12: Beyond Electric Dreams 13: Boot Stamping On A Human Face Forever 14: Live Again (The Fall Of Man)

Customer Reviews Keeping True Punk Alive Bad Religion knows exactly what punkers want and thats to keep making music that we all remember from back in the Suffer, Generator days. The first time i heard this album, I was very skeptical about what i was gonna expect from hearing that first track, only to be swept away on how it lead to the next song, "Sinister Rouge", I knew that from this point there wasn't going to be a song that would dissapoint me or make me ask myself what the hell is this. I give this one 5 stars. Would you give it all up to live again? The band had been in a bit of musical doldrums in the late 90's, and had shaken that off with a fast, melodic comeback record that is every bit as good as the reviews will have you believe. Expectations were very high after The Process of Belief. The Empire Strikes First plays like an album by a band that is starting to settle into a new era. The songs are catchy yet abbrasive, the playing is tight and professional, and the vocals are as good as any other punk album you care to mention. Some people may be a bit put off by things like rapper Sage Francis being highlighted in one song, or the Heartbreaker's Mike Campbell taking a solo in "Los Angeles is Burning," but with preconceptions aside, Empire achieves everything it intends to. Imagine how many people were playing "Let Them Eat War" when they pulled up to the polls to vote in 2004. A sense of hope, a message of unity, and an attitude of discontent go a long way to raising spirits. It's time to turn the tides indeed. . Another Great Album By Bad Religion... Many had left them for dead after two straight disappointing releases in the late 90's (no substance, new america). This album continues the career resurgence for this band which began with The Process of Belief. However, BR came back with a vengeance with The Process of Belief. This album proves that Bad Religion has A LOT left in the tank. It has all of the fast paced, politically motivated anger that you'd expect from a Bad Religion. It also includes a few interesting changes of pace with songs like "Boot Stamping. . . " and "Beyond Electric Dreams". This is truly a welcome addition to the Bad Religion catalog and I'd reccomend it to anyone who loves good old fashioned punk rock!. . You can see a complete list of all Bad Religion discography, or go back to the Bad Religion tabs