The Empire Strikes First
by Bad Religion
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Jun 8, 2004
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27

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  1. Andremax
    Jul 13, 2018
    5
    Regular to bad album. As usual, Bad Religion plays very well for a punk rock band and it became evident with the well clear production, although the musics structures are commons and nothing more. Bad Religions lyrics are intelligent, but here its looks pedant and even anti-accessible. Tiring and boring.
  2. SteveH
    Feb 3, 2010
    6
    This is a solid album that does exactly what Bad Religion are supposed to do. It's melodic, it's angry, it gets to the point. Fans won't be disappointed.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Magnet
    80
    As potent and timely as anything it released during the Reagan era. [#64, p.83]
  2. Alternative Press
    60
    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]
  3. AllMusic
    60
    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.
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