The Empire Strikes First

Last updated

The Empire Strikes First
BadReligionTheEmpireStrikesFirst.jpg
Studio album by
Bad Religion
ReleasedJune 8, 2004 (2004-06-08)
RecordedNovember 2003 – February 2004
Studio Sound City, Los Angeles
Genre Punk rock, skate punk
Length39:38
Label Epitaph
Producer Brett Gurewitz, Greg Graffin
Bad Religion chronology
Punk Rock Songs
(2002)		The Empire Strikes First
(2004)		 New Maps of Hell
(2007)

The Empire Strikes First is the thirteenth studio album by American punk rock band Bad Religion, released on June 8, 2004. The album is heavily influenced by the then-current Iraq War (most notably in the songs "Atheist Peace", "Let Them Eat War" and the title track) and also has some nods to George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (the song title "Boot Stamping on a Human Face Forever" as well as the line "you deserve Two Minute Hate" in the title track are direct references to the book), the latter most likely inspired by the Patriot Act.

Contents

The album also marks the rare instance that non-members of Bad Religion received a writing credit, as Chris Wollard of Hot Water Music co-wrote two songs.

The song "Social Suicide" appears in the video games Tony Hawk's Project 8 and MX vs. ATV Untamed .

Release

On February 4, 2004, The Empire Strikes First was announced for release in a few months' time. [1] On March 17, 2004, the album's artwork and the track listing were posted online. [2] "Sinister Rouge" was made available for download through the label's website on April 11, 2004. [3] "Los Angeles Is Burning" was released to radio on April 27, 2004. [4] They toured Europe in May 2004, where they debuted several new songs from the album. [5] The Empire Strikes First was released on June 8, 2004. The following day, the music video for "Los Angeles Is Burning" was posted on the label's website. [6] Soon afterwards, they appeared at the KROQ Weenie Roast. [7] In October and November 2004, the band went on a tour of the US with Rise Against and From First to Last. [8] [9] After playing a series of multi-day stints in venues in the US in June 2005, Bad Religion toured across Europe in August and September 2005, which included an appearance at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. [5] [10] In October and November 2005, they went on a North American trek with Anti-Flag and Pennywise. [11]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 70/100 [12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Chart Attack Favorable [14]
IGN 9/10 [15]
Robert Christgau Scissors icon black.svg [16]
RTÉ Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [18]
Pitchfork 8.2/10 [19]

It peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 album chart, [20] the highest position the band had attained at the time. The album scored a minor radio hit with, "Los Angeles Is Burning", which also reached No. 40 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Alternative Press ranked "Los Angeles Is Burning" at number 90 on their list of the best 100 singles from the 2000s. [21]

Track listing

Songwriting credits adapted from the album liner notes. [22]

All tracks are written by Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Overture" 1:09
2."Sinister Rouge" 1:53
3."Social Suicide" 1:35
4."Atheist Peace" 1:57
5."All There Is" 2:57
6."Los Angeles Is Burning" 3:23
7."Let Them Eat War"Graffin, Gurewitz, Brian Baker, Jay Bentley, Brooks Wackerman, Sage Francis 2:57
8."God's Love" 2:32
9."To Another Abyss" 4:07
10."The Quickening"Graffin, Gurewitz, Wackerman, Chris Wollard 2:19
11."The Empire Strikes First"Graffin, Gurewitz, Baker3:23
12."Beyond Electric Dreams"Graffin, Gurewitz, Wackerman, Wollard4:02
13."Boot Stamping on a Human Face Forever" 3:49
14."Live Again (The Fall of Man)" 3:35
Japanese bonus track
No.TitleLength
15."The Surface of Me"3:01

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes. [22]

Bad Religion

Additional personnel

Musicians

  • David Bragger – violin on "Atheist Peace"
  • Mike Campbell – guitar on "Los Angeles is Burning"
  • Sage Francis – guest vocals on "Let Them Eat War"
  • John Ginty – Hammond B-3 on "Los Angeles is Burning"
  • Leopold Ross – Sonic Alienator on "Beyond Electric Dreams"
  • Claude Sarne – goth choir soprano on "Sinister Rouge"
  • Atticus Ross – programming

Other

  • Joe Barresi – engineer, mixing
  • Tom Baker – mastering
  • Pete Martinez – assistant engineer
  • June Murakawa – assistant engineer
  • Nick Pritchard – design
  • Sean Murphy – photography
  • Matt Rubin – photography

Release history

CountryRelease date
United KingdomJune 7, 2004
Worldwide
United StatesJune 8, 2004

Charts

Chart performance for The Empire Strikes First
ChartPeak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA Charts) [23] 84
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [24] 99
French Albums (SNEP) [25] 177
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [26] 28
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [27] 42
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [28] 82
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [29] 2
US Top Album Sales (Billboard) [30] 40

Related Research Articles

<i>Smash</i> (The Offspring album) 1994 studio album by The Offspring

Smash is the third studio album by American rock band the Offspring, released on April 8, 1994, by Epitaph Records. After touring in support of their previous album Ignition (1992), the band recorded their next album over two months at Track Record in North Hollywood, California. Smash was the band's final studio album to be produced by Thom Wilson, who had worked with them since their 1989 eponymous debut. This also marks the first album where Dexter Holland is credited with playing the guitar as opposed to vocals only.

<i>The Process of Belief</i> 2002 studio album by Bad Religion

The Process of Belief is the twelfth studio album by the American punk rock band Bad Religion. It was produced by its leaders Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz, and was released on January 22, 2002, through Epitaph Records. After touring in support of its previous studio album, The New America (2000), Gurewitz re-joined Bad Religion in 2001 after a seven-year hiatus. The band re-signed with Epitaph, and then began work on its first album for the label in over eight years. The album also marked the first album to feature Brooks Wackerman, who replaced former drummer Bobby Schayer.

<i>Pump Up the Valuum</i> 2000 studio album by NOFX

Pump Up the Valuum is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on June 13, 2000, on Epitaph Records, their last through the company.

<i>Stranger Than Fiction</i> (Bad Religion album) 1994 studio album by Bad Religion

Stranger than Fiction is the eighth full-length studio album and major label debut by American punk rock band Bad Religion, released in 1994. It was a major breakthrough for Bad Religion, being certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and becoming the band's first album to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at 87.

<i>Indestructible</i> (Rancid album) 2003 studio album by Rancid

Indestructible is the sixth studio album by the American punk rock band Rancid. It was produced by Brett Gurewitz and released by Hellcat Records with distribution through Warner Bros. Records on August 19, 2003. Despite critical acclaim, the band was criticized by some of its fans for Indestructible's "poppier" sound on some of its tracks. It debuted at number 15 on the charts, selling 51,000 copies in its first week. It was Rancid's highest debut at the time, which was surpassed six years later with their 2009 album, Let the Dominoes Fall. Indestructible marks the last recording by drummer Brett Reed, who left the band in 2006 and was replaced by current drummer Branden Steineckert. Additionally, it is the only album that features songwriting contributions from Reed.

<i>The Gray Race</i> 1996 studio album by Bad Religion

The Gray Race is the ninth full-length album of the punk rock band Bad Religion, which was released in 1996. It was the follow-up to the band's highly successful 1994 album Stranger Than Fiction.

<i>The War on Errorism</i> 2003 studio album by NOFX

The War on Errorism is the ninth studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on May 6, 2003, through Fat Wreck Chords.

<i>Wolves in Wolves Clothing</i> 2006 studio album by NOFX

Wolves in Wolves' Clothing is the tenth studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. At 46 minutes, this is NOFX's longest studio album.

<i>Decemberunderground</i> 2006 studio album by AFI

Decemberunderground is the seventh studio album by American rock band AFI, released on June 6, 2006, through Interscope Records. The album was supported by three singles, "Miss Murder", "Love Like Winter", and "The Missing Frame".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Religion discography</span>

The discography of Bad Religion, an American punk rock band, consists of 17 studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, one box set, two extended plays (EPs), 29 singles, five video albums and 25 music videos. Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1980, the band originally featured vocalist Greg Graffin, guitarist Brett Gurewitz, bassist Jay Bentley and drummer Jay Ziskrout, who released their self-titled debut EP in February 1981 on Gurewitz's label Epitaph Records. Pete Finestone replaced Ziskrout before the release of the band's full-length debut album How Could Hell Be Any Worse? in 1982. The following year's Into the Unknown featured bassist Paul Dedona and drummer Davy Goldman, before Bentley and Finestone returned to the band and Greg Hetson joined as second guitarist.

<i>New Maps of Hell</i> (Bad Religion album) 2007 studio album by Bad Religion

New Maps of Hell is the fourteenth studio album by Bad Religion, released on July 10, 2007.

"Los Angeles Is Burning" is a single by the punk rock band Bad Religion from their 2004 album The Empire Strikes First. "Los Angeles Is Burning" was released to radio on April 27, 2004. The song reached number 40 on the Modern Rock Tracks in July 2004.

<i>Coaster</i> (album) 2009 studio album by NOFX

Coaster is the eleventh studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX. It was released on April 28, 2009 through Fat Wreck Chords.

<i>Let the Dominoes Fall</i> 2009 studio album by Rancid

Let the Dominoes Fall is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band Rancid. It is their first album of new material in nearly six years, following 2003's Indestructible, and their first with drummer Branden Steineckert, who joined the band in 2006 after the departure of founding drummer Brett Reed.

<i>Deep Blue</i> (Parkway Drive album) 2010 studio album by metalcore band Parkway Drive

Deep Blue is the third studio album by Australian metalcore band Parkway Drive. It was recorded in Los Angeles, California, and was released on 25 June 2010 through Resist, Epitaph and Burning Heart Records. The album was produced by Joe Barresi. It debuted at number 2 on the ARIA charts and at number 39 on the Billboard 200 chart. It is also Parkway Drive's most critically acclaimed release, having a three-year separation between their previous album, Horizons.

<i>The Dissent of Man</i> 2010 studio album by Bad Religion

The Dissent of Man is the fifteenth studio album by American punk rock band Bad Religion, which was released on September 28, 2010. It was their first album in three years, following the release of New Maps of Hell in 2007. The band commenced writing new material in 2008, but would not begin studio work until May 2010. The writing and recording process spanned two years and was slowed down considerably by touring schedules. The album was finally finished in June 2010. Some of the material was originally performed live by Bad Religion on its 30th anniversary tour in early 2010. "The Devil in Stitches" was released as a single to accompany the release of this album, while "Cyanide" and "Wrong Way Kids" also received radio airplay. Clocking in at 43 minutes, The Dissent of Man is Bad Religion's longest album to date.

<i>All or Nothing</i> (Pennywise album) 2012 studio album by Pennywise

All or Nothing is the tenth studio album by the American punk rock band Pennywise, which was released on May 1, 2012. It is Pennywise's first album since Reason to Believe (2008), their longest gap to date between studio albums. This is also the band's only recording with vocalist Zoli Téglás, who replaced Jim Lindberg from February 2010 to October 2012, as well as their first release on Epitaph Records since 2005's The Fuse. "Let Us Hear Your Voice" impacted radio on April 17, 2012.

<i>Honor Is All We Know</i> 2014 studio album by Rancid

...Honor Is All We Know is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band Rancid, released on October 27, 2014. It is the band's first studio album since Let the Dominoes Fall (2009), and their second one to be recorded under its current incarnation. Work on ...Honor Is All We Know began in 2011 and it was originally planned for a 2012 release, but was repeatedly delayed while the band continued touring and writing new material, and its members were busy with their own projects. After three years of writing and recording, the album was finished in 2014.

<i>Underclass Hero</i> 2007 studio album by Sum 41

Underclass Hero is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Sum 41. It is the first of two albums by the band recorded without guitarist Dave Baksh since he left a year earlier to focus on Brown Brigade. It was first released on July 18, 2007, in Japan by Island Records and distributed worldwide by Aquarius Records, the band's final album on the label. In comparison to the heavy metal-inspired punk style of Chuck, Underclass Hero marked a return to the band’s pop-punk sound.

<i>Age of Unreason</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Bad Religion

Age of Unreason is the seventeenth studio album by American punk rock band Bad Religion, released on May 3, 2019. It is the band's first studio album to feature guitarist Mike Dimkich and drummer Jamie Miller, replacing Greg Hetson and Brooks Wackerman respectively, and the first one to be produced by Carlos de la Garza, thus ending their collaboration with Joe Barresi, who had produced, mixed or engineered every Bad Religion album since 2004's The Empire Strikes First; Barresi did, however, mix "The Kids Are Alt-Right", which had already been released as a one-off single in 2018.

References

  1. ↑ White, Adam (February 4, 2004). "Bad Religion album title and release date". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  2. ↑ White, Adam (March 17, 2004). "Artwork and track listing for 'The Empire Strikes First'". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  3. ↑ White, Adam (April 11, 2004). "Download Bad Religion's 'Sinister Rouge'". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  4. ↑ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  5. 1 2 White, Adam (June 4, 2005). "Bad Religion returns to Europe". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  6. ↑ White, Adam (June 9, 2004). "'Los Angeles Is Burning' video online". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  7. ↑ White, Adam (May 22, 2004). "Bad Religion, Hives, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beasties, Killers at 2004 Weenie Roast". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  8. ↑ UG Team (August 27, 2004). "In Brief: Marilyn Manson, Used, Slipknot, Bad Religion, Fu Manchu". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  9. ↑ White, Adam (October 23, 2004). "Bad Religion shooting a DVD in Hollywood". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  10. ↑ White, Adam (May 21, 2005). "Reading and Leeds punk stage announced". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  11. ↑ Paul, Aubin (September 30, 2005). "Many more dates from Bad Religion; ex-drummer's memoir to be made into a movie". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  12. ↑ "The Empire Strikes First by Bad Religion". Metacritic . Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  13. ↑ AllMusic
  14. ↑ McConvey, Joel (June 8, 2004). "CD Releases: Gene Simmons, Royal City, Velvet Revolver, Alexisonfire and more!". Chart Attack. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006. Retrieved April 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ↑ JR (July 19, 2004). "The Empire Strikes First". IGN. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: bad religion" . Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Bad Religion - The Empire Strikes First". RTÉ News. June 30, 2004.
  18. ↑ Miller, Kirk (July 8, 2004). "The Empire Strikes First Review". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved October 3, 2016.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  19. ↑ Tompkins, J. H. (August 2, 2004). "Pitchfork Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  20. ↑ "The Empire Strikes First's entry at Billboard.com". Billboard.com. Retrieved November 6, 2007.
  21. ↑ Paul, Aubin (November 20, 2009). "At The Drive-In's 'One Armed Scissor' tops AP's 'Haircut 100' singles countdown". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  22. 1 2 The Empire Strikes First (Media notes). Bad Religion. Epitaph. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 22.
  24. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Bad Religion – The Empire Strikes First". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Bad Religion Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Bad Religion Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.