Bad Religion hammered out a series of powerful songs with its trademark mix of grim lyrics and catchy riffs. Vocalist Greg Gaffin, nearly 40, hasn't lost his sense of rage: "God's Love," from the new album "The Empire Strikes First," walked a fine line between personal and political commentary. When Gaffin sang of "Striking at mental apparitions/Like a drunk on a vacant street," did he mean himself or America?