The Empire Strikes First

On February 4, 2004, The Empire Strikes First was announced for release in a few months' time. On March 17, 2004, the album's artwork and the track listing were posted online. "Sinister Rouge" was made available for download through the label's website on April 11, 2004. "Los Angeles Is Burning" was released to radio on April 27, 2004. They toured Europe in May 2004, where they debuted several new songs from the album. Soon afterwards, they appeared at the KROQ Weenie Roast. In October and November 2004, the band went on a tour of the US with Rise Against and From First to Last. 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. In October and November 2005, they went on a North American trek with Anti-Flag and Pennywise. ==Reception==

It peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 album chart, 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. ==Track listing==

Songwriting credits adapted from the album liner notes. ==Personnel==

Adapted from the album liner notes. Bad Religion • Greg Graffin – lead vocals, producer • Greg Hetson – guitar • Brian Baker – guitar, backing vocals • Brett Gurewitz – guitar, backing vocals, producer • Jay Bentley – bass guitar, backing vocals • Brooks Wackerman – drums, percussion 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==