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.
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.
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 Rogue" 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]The Empire Strikes First was released on June 8, 2004. In October, the band went on a tour of the US with Rise Against.[5]
It peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 album chart,[14] 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.
^Miller, Kirk (July 8, 2004). "The Empire Strikes First Review". Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved October 3, 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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