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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
The Empire Strikes First
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 15 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 19 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Epitaph
Release Date: 08 June 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Punk, Rock
Summary
The veteran Southern California hardcore punk band returns with--as you may have guessed from the title--a political-themed disc, complete with carefully-footnoted lyrics.
Also By This Artist: New Maps of Hell The Process Of Belief
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Spin
Good records from the Descendents and Bad Religion in one year? Joe Strummer's ghost must be keeping close watch. [Jul 2004, p.110]
Mojo
This is the band at their melodious best. [Jun 2004, p.112]
Magnet
As potent and timely as anything it released during the Reagan era. [#64, p.83]
Los Angeles Times
Even if some tracks unfold more like political manifestos than songs, Bad Religion has succeeded in expressing its outrage more eloquently while sustaining its musical muscle over the years. [6 Jun 2004]
Blender
Angrier than ever, Bad Religion aim punk's adolescent fury at grownup targets. [Jun/Jul 2004, p.134]
Rolling Stone
Bad Religion sound more relevant than ever on their incendiary, political manifesto The Empire Strikes First.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
A thrill from first to last. [Aug 2004, p.106]
Trouser Press
While not as edgy as The Process of Belief, it is more complex and better produced.
Read Full Review >Alternative Press
The songs have the urgency and vitriol we've come to expect from the band, but there's one major problem: the spit shine production. [Jul 2004, p.128]
All Music Guide
The Empire Strikes First isn't a return to Bad Religion at its most vitriolic and unstoppable -- whether that could ever really happen is unclear, and probably unnecessary.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Despite Graffin and Gurewitz's intelligence and historical awareness, their artistic vision here suffers from oversimplification.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
This is by no means a ‘bad’ album... and you’ll be hard-pushed to find a more topical anti-Bush punk album released this year, but after 20+ years and umpteen albums that - lets face it - haven’t really strayed much from their influential style, does anyone really need another Bad Religion album after this one?
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
The album is not a total loss, however. When Bad Religion turn to more interesting subject matter, the results are more than worthwhile.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Dan gave it a9:
I think i have listened to this cd a dozen times in the past 24 hours and each time i find myself singing along, fist in the air. Let them Eat War is my new favorite Bad religion song.
Anders gave it a9:
A solid, if unspecacular album. There are a bunch of good songs on here, and it's a good listen.
Brian D gave it an8:
Great album but not compared to process of belief, it is a slight let down. Also, I needed more songs like gods love.
[Anonymous] gave it an8:
Bad Religion is one of the few "older" bands that has managed to retain its sound, message, and dignity. Empire is no exception to this statement, though this is by no means their best album.
Bob Bananas gave it a10:
Wonderful!
ketn b gave it a9:
som very good songs... br is back on track.
Sally S gave it a 10:
i am really frightened that they call it gods love.
