The Empire Strikes First
by Bad Religion
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Jun 8, 2004
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. Spin
    91
    Good records from the Descendents and Bad Religion in one year? Joe Strummer's ghost must be keeping close watch. [Jul 2004, p.110]
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  2. Pitchfork
    82
    One of its most charged and inspired records in years.
  3. Magnet
    80
    As potent and timely as anything it released during the Reagan era. [#64, p.83]
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  5. Mojo
    80
    This is the band at their melodious best. [Jun 2004, p.112]
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  6. Los Angeles Times
    75
    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]
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  7. Trouser Press
    70
    While not as edgy as The Process of Belief, it is more complex and better produced.
  8. Blender
    70
    Angrier than ever, Bad Religion aim punk's adolescent fury at grownup targets. [Jun/Jul 2004, p.134]
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  9. Rolling Stone
    70
    Bad Religion sound more relevant than ever on their incendiary, political manifesto The Empire Strikes First.
  10. Q Magazine
    70
    A thrill from first to last. [Aug 2004, p.106]
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  11. 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]
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  12. 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.
  13. PopMatters
    60
    Despite Graffin and Gurewitz's intelligence and historical awareness, their artistic vision here suffers from oversimplification.
  14. Drowned In Sound
    60
    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?
  15. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    The album is not a total loss, however. When Bad Religion turn to more interesting subject matter, the results are more than worthwhile.
  16. Village Voice
    30
    A bore of an album.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
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
  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,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.… Full Review »
  2. Mezmer
    Oct 28, 2016
    9
    This is in my top three Bad Religion albums of all time. Sure, they did milk the whole, "George Bush sucks" cash cow, but who cares? ItThis is in my top three Bad Religion albums of all time. Sure, they did milk the whole, "George Bush sucks" cash cow, but who cares? It resulted in some very provocative and interesting lyrics, surely to capture the listener. Songs like, "Sinister Rouge", "Beyond Electric Dreams, "The Empire Strikes First", and "Social Suicide" show the band's tenacity, that they still have. The opener blasts you with double bass and Wackerman's superb drumming. The production quality is incredible, and everything about this album is great to me. I would've liked to hear some more slower songs, as they did very well with, "To Another Abyss", but I'm fine with that. One song that might be a little weak is, "The Quickening", but, its chorus saves it from flopping. Anyway, if you're a true Bad Religion fan, there's no excuse as to why you can't listen to this awesome album!… Full Review »
  3. 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 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.… Full Review »
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