On June 8, 2004, “Epitaph” label released “The Empire Strikes First” the thirteenth Bad Religion studio album. It was recorded November 2003 – February 2004, at “Sound City” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Brett Gurewitz and Greg Griffin.

Personnel:

• Greg Graffin – lead vocals
• Greg Hetson – guitar
• Brian Baker – guitar, backing vocals
• Brett Gurewitz – guitar, backing vocals
• Jay Bentley – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Brooks Wackerman – drums, percussion
• Mike Campbell – guitar
• John Ginty – Hammond B-3
• David Bragger – violin
• Sage Francis – guest vocals
• Claude Sarne – goth choir soprano
• Atticus Ross – programming
• Leopold Ross – Sonic Alienator
• Joe Barresi – engineer, mixing
• Pete Martinez – engineer assistant
• June Murakawa – engineer assistant
• Tom Baker – mastering
• Nick Pritchard – design
• Sean Murphy – photography
• Matt Rubin – photography

Track listing:

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

1. Overture
2. Sinister Rouge
3. Special Suicide
4. Atheist Peace
5. All There Is
6. Los Angeles Is Burning
7. Let Them Eat War – Greg Graffin, Brett Gurewitz, Brian Baker, Jey Bentley, Brooks Wackerman., Sage Francis
8. God’s Love
9. To Another Abyss
10. The Quickening – Greg Graffin, Brett Gurewitz, Brooks Wackerman, Chris Wolland
11. The Empire Strikes First – Greg Graffin, Brett Gurewitz, Brian Baker
12. Beyond Electric Dreams – Greg Graffin, Brett Gurewitz, Brooks Wackerman, Chris Wolland
13. Boot Stamping on a Human Face Forever
14. Live Again (The Fall of Man)