Though the name suggests otherwise, Bad Religion is something to believe in. For over two decades, the eminent rock outfit has been pounding out an enchanting, forceful brand of punk, and has established itself as the godfather of the genre's melodic SoCal offshoot. After a traumatic major-label experience and fateful submission to the professional commitments of founding member Brett Gurewitz, the band returned to its Epitaph home front just three years ago, charged by the rejoining of their lead guitar ace.
On "The Empire Strikes First," the follow-up to their superb 2001 comeback effort, the six-piece stick with their classic fast-paced sound, explore more worldly themes and add a touch of commercial flavor, creating yet another solid record.
With countless recordings under their belt, it is almost impossible to assess any Bad Religion album without comparing it to the group's other works.
That said, "Empire" is neither a creative stretch nor departure from anything the band has done in the past, with the exception of the lyrical involvement of up-and-coming hip-hop mastermind Sage Francis. Like the band's previous release, it does not quite exude the head-on unruliness that made "Suffer" and "No Control" punk blueprints for a myriad of latter-day talents. Still, "Empire" is a first-class blend of everything we have come to love Bad Religion for.
Moved by the slew of recent world controversies, Bad Religion use their latest release as a platform for political commentary. This is readily apparent after the album's ominous introduction, which serves as a segue into the overtly impassioned second song, "Sinister Rouge." With references to unjustified murders and phony promises, one cannot help but think that the band is alluding to the ineffectual leadership of George W. himself. Distaste for U.S. authority figures continues throughout the rest of the disc as well, as reflected in the album's title track, which denounces last year's strike on Iraq as a pretentious expression of American power.
While the record is dominated by such Orwellian subject matter, vocalist Greg Graffin still plugs his usual introspective thoughts on science, religion and humanity. Song titles such as "Atheist Peace" and "God's Love" speak for themselves.
On a purely musical level, Bad Religion offers nothing out of the ordinary on their newest album. All in all, the songs are direct and to-the-point, loaded with speedy four-chord successions, anthemic bursts and the occasional guitar solo. The choir-like vocal harmonies stand out as the upholding backdrop to nearly every track, even more so than on "The Process of Belief." If anything is overdone, it is precisely those harmonies, but even then the record stands strong and faintly scathing.
All-star ballads on "Empire" include "All There Is," "Los Angeles is Burning" and "Let Them Eat War," tracks five through seven, respectively. Their arrangement on album is actually quite imposing, as each one seems to build off of the increasingly dynamic energy of the one prior. Whereas the first two take more of an alternative punk stance, the latter sounds like a re-mastered outtake from one of the group's early '90s recording sessions, notwithstanding its well-placed, mid-tempo rap breakdown. As such, it is bound to please both old and new cohorts of the band.
If anything, "Empire" is the album to secure Bad Religion's position as one of the most revered and enduring acts in punk rock. Boasting former members of the legendary Minor Threat and Circle Jerks, the group has its roots firmly planted in an independent scene once distinguished by genuine musicianship and DIY ethics. Maybe that explains their ability to keep making splendid albums despite their seemingly bumpy and outlived tenure.
In support of their latest endeavor, the band will be headlining stages across America this summer as veterans of the annual Warped Tour festival. Consider yourself privileged and catch them before time comes knocking at their door.
Read More
The best albums of 2014
By Noah Zeidman | December 4, 2014Across genres, it has been a pretty great year in music.
Top 10 movies of 2014
December 4, 2014This has been an excellent year for film, offering everything from gripping blockbusters to innovative personal films.
Iggy Azalea is “Reclassified”
December 4, 2014It has become common practice among music artists to repackage their albums in an effort to simultaneously boost single sales and dish out new content by slightly renaming the album or slapping “Deluxe” onto the title.
