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)"

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.

After the Atlantic phase, most of which was without Brett Gurewitz and with outside producers, it seemed Bad Religion was done. I still remember listening to No Substance and The New America thinking that the glory days of BR were over. However, The Process of Belief reassured me. As they once did with the blistering Suffer, BR made another strong comeback years later, but would it last? There were enough new ideas on Process to keep things interesting, and it surely seemed like their last record. When I heard that a new one was coming, I got a little worried since I didn't think they could keep up the high level of quality.

However, after hearing this album, I realize how wrong I was. This band had shown considerable growth from Suffer through Recipe For Hate, adding a new dimension to their sound with each album. However, since Starnger Than Fiction, that had ended. I'[m more than ecstatic to say that they have returned to this formula, pushing the boundaries of their sound. The best tracks are the experimental ones and the hard rockers sound just a invigorated as on Process. In particular, 'Boot Stamping on a Human Face Forever' sounds like nothing else they've ever done and is instantly the most memorable track on the album. The Recipe for Hate direction that was taken to the next level on Process is pushed further here on the exceptional 'To Another Abyss' and 'Live Again', both of which sound like tracks from Recipe and Generator, just like 'Sorrow' did.

So far, I prefer the second part of the album, as more experimentation is done, but the first side rocks hard. You cannot go wrong with this one, it cements BR as one of the all-time greatest punk bands and keeps things interesting throughout. If you haven't listened to BR in a while, Process and this record are musts! You will understand once you hear them...

bad religion had a mid to late nineties downfall where they realesed a bunch of mediocore albums, but this one is back on the genius style BR had on there earlier albums.
Overture-musical intro
Sinister Rouge-10/10-excellent song, heavy guitar, and as always great lyrics.
Social Suicide-9.5/10-great song, i love the note that greg hits when he sing suicide.
Athiest Peace-9/10-Awsome song, completly openly atheistic, and really badreligions style.
All there is-10/10-Amazing. My second favorite song on the album. The chorus is amazing and the melody on the last line of the verse sound great.
Los Angeles is Burning-9/10-This one is so great, but a little to poppy. still really fun song.
Let them eat war-10/10-awsome guitar, my third favorite song, the rap verse is really great.
Gods Love-10/10-Favorite song on the album. Fast through the whole song until the middle where it gets kinda slow, and then makes a dramatic break into the speedy chorus. Excellent lyrics and this one is a BR classic.
To another Abyss-9.5/10-this one is slower but i really like the chorus.
THe Quickening-8.5/10-Not to memorible but still a very good song.
THe Empire strikes first-9.5/10-I really like this song, the chorus where they spell the E-M-P-I-R-E is really cool.
Beyon electric dreams-9/10-Weirdest lyrics on the album, but awsome nontheless.
the one with the long name-5/10-I can never remember this ones name, it like boot stamping or somthing like that (???). Worst song on the album but the guitars alright. THis ones actually kinda annoying.
Live Again(The fall of man)-9.5/10-great ending song, lots of fun, and very happy.
Thats it, a great BR album, so go get it, youll love it.